Avalon Waterways President and Australian Ambassador Melissa Doyle host Australian travel industry

Avalon Waterways President and Australian Ambassador Melissa Doyle host Australian travel industry
Edited by Travel Weekly


    Yesterday, Avalon Waterways President Pam Hoffee and newly appointed Australian Ambassador, journalist, TV and radio presenter Melissa Doyle took to the stage in front of a 46-strong travel industry crowd to discuss the ongoing river cruise boom and what’s ahead for the brand in 2024.

    Over a two-course lunch at the InterContinental Sydney’s rooftop bar, Aster, Hoffee shared with guests that the company is closely monitoring river cruise trends and adapting with new itineraries and offerings to meet traveller needs.

    “Avalon has had a record-breaking season, and we know traveller trends are changing with many wanting longer holidays,” explained Hoffee.

    “Due to high demand, we’ve added more departures, and as people are also keen to travel later in the season, we launched a series of Festive Cruises throughout November and December, which sold out within weeks of their release. This year, we are adapting further with two new festive itineraries on the Danube to offer even more availability and options.”

    Travel Weekly Editor-at-Large Nancy Hromin among guests at the lunch. (Supplied)

    Hoffee flagged that the traveller experience remains king, with choice more important than ever.

    “Today’s travellers don’t want a one-size-fits-all itinerary. They want to be able to choose experiences that match their special interests and provide them with a local’s view of a destination”, she said.

    Avalon Waterways launched its Active & Discovery offering in 2017, which allowed guests to customise their experience, choosing excursions that range from e-bike tours to kayaking through gorges and everything in between. It is now Avalon Waterways’ fastest-growing itinerary type in Europe, and an average of 23 Active & Discovery excursions are available across each major European waterway.

    Hoffee shared that the expansion of the company’s Active & Discovery itineraries has led to an increase in younger Gen X travellers exploring river cruising, ensuring its appeal for modern travellers in the years to come.

    Finally, Hoffee noted the continued popularity that European destinations are expected to see in 2024, thanks to river cruising allowing travellers a unique way of seeing the region’s most popular destinations while connecting with locals.

    “2024 will be another strong year for river cruising in France, owing to the country’s mix of both bigger and smaller waterways that appeal to travellers of all interests – think art lovers, foodies and history buffs alike. This ongoing demand has driven Avalon Waterways to develop new European product, such as the Vida Portugal: Vineyards & Villages itinerary that is set to debut along the Douro in 2024, offering a new view of the Old World,” said Hoffee.

    Additionally, Hoffee also teased about a new destination to come for the brand, with more details to be announced in due course.

    Latest News

    • Aviation
    • Destinations

    Flight searches to Ho Chi Minh City skyrocket by 246% as city strengthens ties to Oz

    Delegates from the Australian and Vietnamese tourism community gathered in Parramatta yesterday for the Ho Chi Minh city tourism roadshow, hosted by Ho Chi Minh city tourism and the consulate general of Vietnam to New South Wales. The vibrant gala dinner showcased some of Vietnam’s top tourism attractions including traditional music performances, a live fashion […]

    • Destinations

    On Location: Rejoice! It’s Your Daily Wrap Of Africa’s Travel Indaba

    South Africa this year commemorates 30 years of freedom and democracy. It is fitting then that Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) takes place this week in Durban at a venue named after one of South Africa’s foremost proponents of freedom, Albert Luthuli. Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism, South Africa said ATI represented a celebration of […]

    • Tourism

    Lack of budget spend will hit international visitor recovery, says Australian Tourism Industry Council

    The Australian Tourism Industry Council has expressed disappointment in the 2024 Federal Budget that rejected a submission advocating for a major funding increase for Tourism Australia to recover international tourism. “The Federal Budget 2024 has not invested in our international tourism recovery,” ATIC said in a response to Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers decisions. ATIC members, which […]

    • Aviation

    VietJet walks away from Bonza investment, Administrators look to maximise chance of survival

    The administrator overseeing Bonza’s collapse has released an update on the carrier’s status as they strive to maximise options for the business and VietJet leaves investment discussions at the table. Administrators say they will continue to maximise the chances of survival for Bonza or, “as much as possible of its business continuing in existence; or […]

    • Aviation

    Top four airports report return to profit after post-Covid period comes to an end

    The aeronautical operations of Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney airports returned to profit in 2022-23, the first full financial year since the end of COVID-19 travel restrictions, the ACCC’s latest Airport Monitoring Report shows. In contrast, all four monitored airports reported losses on their aeronautical operations in 2021-22. A return to profit was helped by […]

    • Luxury

    COMO launches new family-sized farmhouse in the heart of Tuscany

    COMO Hotels and Resorts has launched its new farmhouse apartments in the heart of Tuscany, just in time for Australians to escape our wet winter. And it’s also an ideal time for Aussies of Italian ancestry to explore their home country as 2024 has been declared the year of Roots and Heritage Tourism by the […]

    • Aviation

    Green light, green fuel for Townsville Airport as passenger numbers set to double to 3.7m

    The Townsville Airport Master Plan, including the expansion of the airport terminal and development of the surrounding precinct, has been given the green light by the Federal Government. The 2023 plan outlined Townsville Airport’s strategic vision and growth objectives over the next two decades, with a detailed focus on the initial eight years. Townsville Airport […]

    • Destinations
    • News

    New Caledonia in lockdown and airport closed after violent riots rock Noumea

    New Caledonia officials have announced a 6pm-6am curfew, a liquor ban and have closed the country’s main airport after overnight riots in which vehicles were torched and roads blocked in the wake of proposed constitutional reforms. Australian Government website Smartraveller has issued an alert informing visitors to exercise a high degree of caution in metropolitan […]