Uniworld plots Oz growth

UNIWORLD Boutique River Cruises is “not getting its fair share of the river cruise travellers out of this market,” according to Travel Corporation ceo Brett Tollman, who last night renewed TTC’s commitment to Australian travel agents ( TD yesterday).

Speaking to about 80 key industry partners at a lavish event at Sydney’s Watsons Bay, Tollman urged agents to “take the time to identify travellers who will enjoy the Uniworld product”.

He was echoing comments by Uniworld’s local md Fiona Dalton who promised that agents who book customers on the Uniworld product will have a “client for life”.

The event formally launched the whopping 232-page 2019 Uniworld program (see the

cover page of today’s TD), with Uniworld president & ceo Ellen Bettridge outlining plans to further differentiate the product from its competitors.

Bettridge told TD 2017 had been a record year for Uniworld in terms of passenger numbers, with upcoming initiatives including the unveiling of the revamped S.S. Beatrice as well as a host of new dining options.

Three new central European itineraries are on offer for next year, while in China Uniworld will introduce the Sanctuary Yangzi

Explorer to further elevate the guest experience - as well as offering a six-day “bucket list” land extension into Mongolia.

Bettridge said Egypt was also returning to popularity, with Uniworld offering add-ons to Jordan and Jerusalem.

Other upcoming milestones for the company include the imminent launch of The A, the second U by Uniworld river ship.

The fledgling youth-focused cruising brand - exposed to about 7 million viewers this week in an episode of US reality show The

Bachelor - has been opened up to a wider age demographic on certain sailings to allow agents to experience the product.