Uniworld bets on demand for unique long-haul river experiences
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is betting on a surge in long-haul river bookings amid heightened demand for bucket-list holidays.
Speaking at an event on Thursday (21 November), UK and Ireland managing director Chris Townson said rivers like the Ganges in India, the Mekong and the Peruvian Amazon were proving increasingly popular among British customers.
"I’ve never seen anything like it in terms of trading, and I’ve been in travel for a good few years,” he said.
Townson said Uniworld’s Ganges sailings early next year were almost sold out, with only about 20% availability for the rest of the year. He highlighted similar demand for Mekong and Amazon sailings.
“Customers are ticking off [bucket-list destinations] one-by-one and booking forward ahead,” he added.
Post-Covid, Uniworld has moved to reposition itself as an ultra-luxury line, focusing on its VIP offerings and experiences. This includes combining its river cruises with "the best of land" and stays in five-star hotels like the Oberoi or Park Hyatt.
Uniworld has also ramped up its excursion portfolio, including experiences that were previously marketed as extensions, such as tours of the Taj Mahal or Machu Picchu.
“When you’re in Agra, you will be picked up by your private golf cart in the morning and taken to the Taj Mahal before the crowds,” Towson explained. “It’s one of the busiest landmarks in the world, and we’re there before anybody else.”
Another addition to Uniworld’s programme are luxury rail and river holidays through partnerships with specialists like Golden Eagle Luxury Trains or Ganges Voyager.
In Europe, itineraries include 15-day trips between Istanbul and Paris, as well as a 17-day exploration of Venice, Istanbul and the Balkans.
Meanwhile, in India, Uniworld offers 16-day holidays travelling from Kolkata to New Delhi or Mumbai, combining a cruise along the Ganges and a rail trip onboard the ultra-luxury Maharajas’ Express.
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Ilaria Grasso Macola
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