Avalon Waterways is reintroducing its fam trip programme for UK agents after a hiatus since 2020.
- Starting in October, agents will embark on three to four-night voyages on the Danube, hosted by Avalon’s UK sales team.
- Avalon’s Director of Sales, UK, Phil Shipman, expresses excitement in showcasing their premier river cruise offerings.
- Unique features like the Avalon Panorama Suites, known for their expansive size and open-air balconies, are highlights for agents.
- Participants will experience Avalon’s comprehensive onboard services, including top-tier dining and inclusive excursions.
In a strategic move aimed at strengthening connections with UK travel agents, Avalon Waterways has announced the revival of its fam trip programme, which is scheduled to recommence from October. This initiative marks Avalon’s first such programme since 2020, offering agents a chance to experience its products firsthand on three- and four-night journeys along the serene Danube River. These trips will be directly overseen by members of Avalon’s UK sales team, ensuring a curated and detailed immersion into the brand’s offerings.
Phil Shipman, Avalon’s UK Sales Director, underscored the significance of this development, affirming the integral role agents play in Avalon’s business model. By reinstating these fam trips, Avalon is taking a pivotal step in nurturing and solidifying both existing and new relationships with its agent partners. Shipman highlighted, “It’s great to restart the agent fam trip programme and we can’t wait to host agents onboard. We know how stand out our product is and we are looking forward to agents being able to experience it for themselves.”
One of the notable features set to captivate agents’ attention is the Avalon Panorama Suites. These suites distinguish themselves by offering thirty per cent more space than the industry average, along with the rare benefit of an open-air balcony, purportedly the only one of its kind in river cruising. This architectural advantage is positioned as a key element in Avalon’s commitment to delivering extraordinary cruising experiences.
Moreover, participants will indulge in Avalon’s extensive onboard amenities. These include the luxury of full-board dining with complimentary regional wines or beers accompanying meals, daily happy hour with free drinks, and inclusive excursions with all gratuities covered. The culinary experience also promises variety, with main dining rooms providing four-course meals at flexible times, a casual dining room for lighter selections, and the Sky Grill situated on the ship’s upper deck for alfresco dining.
Looking ahead, Avalon is expanding its horizons with plans unveiled earlier this year to introduce sailings on the Garonne and Dordogne rivers by 2025. This expansion includes a comprehensive lineup of itineraries ranging from one week to a full three-week exploration, incorporating connections with other major rivers such as the Seine, Saone, Rhone, and Rhine, demonstrating Avalon’s commitment to diversifying and enhancing its cruise offerings.
Avalon Waterways’ renewed fam trip programme is set to reinforce its collaborative relationships with UK agents, promoting its unique river cruise experience.
