APT’s new 78-itinerary Europe River Cruising brochure is geared for what APT sees as a very big 2013 season, based on general demand and a 92% increase in sales from the preview brochure compared to last year.
The 200-page brochure launched today carries all-inclusive small group tours throughout Europe and luxury boutique river ship cruising on 14 waterways — the Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Moselle, Seine, Saone, Douro, Neva, Volga and Svir rivers and the Moscow Canal, the Main-Danube Canal and the Volga-Baltic Waterway — with a fleet of 12 ships APT co-owns with the experienced river operator AmaWaterways.
With the new brochure carrying 40% more itineraries than the 2012 brochure, APT was not only providing more customer choice but was stimulating an already fertile market, according to APT General Manager Marketing, Debra Fox.
Ms Fox said APT was thrilled with the overall growth in the river cruising market in Australia and New Zealand following APT’s launch of this product type here in 2000, which had been buoyed by the acceptance of the 2013 preview offers which included paying 2012 prices.
“Judging by the fabulous take-up of the preview brochure, demand is obviously very strong and that’s coming through the trade from their clients who want another APT cruise and first-time river cruise clients who have become aware of the 98% customer satisfaction rate of our cruise experience,” she said.
“We are catering for that demand with new rivers and new ships as well as enhancements to our core product, like the choice of an additional restaurant on Aria class ships, highly-acclaimed independent accredited standards of onboard dining, as well as more of the Freedom of Choice local tours at no extra cost we’ve had in place since Year One and more Dine Around Dinner options, both of which have allowed our passengers to tailor their holiday to their own tastes.”
“Fifteen years ago our customers told us they wanted choice and flexibility, so we moved quickly to do something about it for both land touring and river cruising,” she said. “Today, we have Freedom of Choice Touring in 60 destinations in 24 countries.”
The issue of choice is highlighted in the new brochure, with a page devoted to a Top 50 list, “50 reasons why APT is the first choice when it comes to European river cruising.”
Ms Fox said APT “would like to recognise and thank the trade for its ongoing support in cementing APT as the leader in a market that was enjoying healthy competition.”
“Our continued progression in ship innovation and design has ensured the best cruising product and experience is on offer for the discerning Australian traveller,” she said.
“The APT all-inclusive cruise ensures guests know exactly where their holiday budgets stand with no hidden extras once on board, and is also warmly received by our trade partners who can maximise commission on the inclusions through the tour price and Super Deals.”
For those clients who are more price sensitive and looking for a French Balcony cruise experience with standard touring inclusions and optional tours available on tour, APT also has its Travelmarvel Europe and Mekong cruise range.
Agents see www.aptgroup.travel