Aqua Expeditions plots new destinations

AQUA Expeditions founder Francesco Galli Zugaro says he expects to be “busy for the next five years” as he shores up finance for a major expansion of the company’s portfolio.

Speaking to Cruise Weekly in Sydney yesterday, Galli Zugaro said he expected to be able to shortly announce details of the boost which would see an extra Aqua Expeditions vessel on the Amazon River in South America, as well as two new as-yetunspecified global destinations.

Currently Aqua operates on the Amazon and the Mekong rivers, and Galli Zugaro said there had been significant opportunities for cross-selling to past passengers.

He hinted that as well as the company’s longstanding river cruising operations, the expansion could see the addition of coastal cruising to the portfolio.

In the meantime sales out of Australia continue to be strong, with Galli Zugaro down under for a few days for the Virtuoso destination roadshow.

He flagged some major technology upgrades which will roll out in the coming weeks, including a new website and API offering live pricing and availability for Aqua’s voyages.

A key feature will allow agents to block out up to four cabins for a week while they confirm a booking, while there will also be a new ‘check-in’ facility allowing consultants to upload details of client documents, passports and flights to simplify administration.

Aqua’s partnership with Travel The World was working well, Galli Zugaro said, with four sales managers on the road and the pending addition of an Aqua ‘Brand Ambassador’ to help support and train agents in the company’s product range.

Pictured: Passengers enjoy an Aqua Expeditions excursion.