River cruise firms positive for 2023

AUSTRALIAN and New Zealand river cruise and tour operators selling products on the Danube River in Europe are generally confident about a strong recovery in 2023, but have expressed significant reservations about prospects for the current year.

The results of a new sentiment study conducted by Brigitte Franz from the University of Passau’s Centouris Centre for Data-Based Insights (pictured) cites a range of issues for 2022, including the Ukraine conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic, staffing problems, climate change and inflationary pressures.

The report says about 66% of the ships with an Australian/ NZ audience are expected to be sailing the Danube this year compared to 2019, with passenger numbers from the local market forecast to be just over half (54%) of pre-pandemic levels.

“Even though the current business situation (focusing on the Danube) is assessed positively by just under 17% of respondents, they are at least very positive (92%) about the next season in 2023,” Franz noted.

She said the experts within the Australian and NZ audience firmly believe there will eventually be a return to “normality” on the Danube, but not before the 2023 season at the earliest, and possibly not until 2024”.

The report is based on a survey conducted in Mar this year, including about 130 respondents from across the industry.

While two-thirds of Australia/ NZ focused capacity is expected to operate this year, the overall global market is expected to see 77% of pre-pandemic vessels operating for the 2022 season.