Scott Nisbet, President & CEO, Globus family of brands; Patrick Clark, Avalon Waterways' Managing Director with Patrice Geske, Marketing Manager and Stephanie Bishop, Managing Director for Canada, Globus family of brands
Jessica Bowman, Marketing Coordinator with Carm Orr, Transactional Sales Manager who is celebrating her 30th anniversary with Globus
It will come as no surprise to anyone that river cruising is growing by leaps and bounds. But perhaps it is surprising to learn that Canadians are such an important part of the worldwide clientele.
“I am so impressed with the Canadian market,” Avalon Waterways’ Managing Director Patrick Clark said during a visit to Toronto this week. “Sales from Canada were up 20% last year, and we have already exceeded that number for 2015.”
“Occupancy for Avalon’s 2014 sailings is already well over 90%,” he added, giving an idea of the sector’s booming demand. And, Clark says that they are also encouraged to continue expanding their range of cruise opportunities by their guests… 85% of whom are Avalon repeaters looking for new experiences.
Clark also provided an update as to what’s happening in 2015. On a very exciting note, the company is expanding to Myanmar with its own custom-built Asian-style ship which will accommodate just 36 passengers in 18 cabins on the Irrawaddy River. This will be a sister ship to Avalon Siem Reap, which sails through Vietnam and Cambodia. “Guests love the itinerary for its culture, unique food and fascinating people – including our crew. In fact some passengers have been seen to cry on disembarkation, they just don’t want to leave!” said Clark.
France is also a growing destination for Avalon, and it will be putting its 2 newest ships (the company has a track record of adding 2 ships per year) on the Seine and Rhone rivers in France next year. In all Avalon will grow its capacity in France by 20% cent in 2015.
Clark attributes much of the line’s success with its Panorama Class ships, currently 8 of its fleet of 13, to grow to 10 within a fleet of 15 by next year. “With 11 ft. wide windows opening a full 7 ft., and beds facing the window rather than a wall, we really have a wonderful point of differentiation,” he pointed out.
Lastly, Avalon’s theme cruises are proving so popular they are adding more every year. For example in 2015 there will be 10 themes, including a cruise with Patricia Scultz, author of 1000 Places to See Before Your Die (and Avalon godmother) as well as an opera-themed cruise featuring 4 members of the Calgary Opera. “Both are selling incredibly well,” says Stéphanie Bishop, Managing Director for Canada of the Globus family of brands, Avalon’s parent company.
