| Changing faces in river

GENERATIONAL shifts among river cruise passengers are fuelling new styles of travel and rapid changes in the product on offer, giving panellists plenty to talk about at Cruise360 on Fri.

Leaders from key river cruise lines outlined major changes in the types of pax booking their holidays and the new concepts introduced to cater to them.

Among them was Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection’s local md Fiona Dalton who explained the new U by Uniworld concept.

“It’s about catering to a whole new style of travel exclusively for 21 to 45 year olds…bringing together the best river cruising has, through the coolest cities in Europe, and providing an environment for like minded travellers,” Dalton said.

She was joined by Tauck national sales manager Nick Coward who said the line’s dedicated family departures were a response to demand for multi-generational travel.

“The family concept literally came from our regular clientele saying they want to bring their kids away,” he said.

The launch of family departures had drawn a response from parents with young children, grandparents, teens and extended families, he said.

Pictured are: Tauck national sales manager Nick Coward; APT Group cco Debra Fox; Bicton Travel gm Michael Middleton; Uniworld local md Fiona Dalton and CLIA head of int’l training and development Peter Kollar.