CLIA marks record breaking RiverView with event and training announcements

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) UK & Ireland is currently hosting its annual river conference, RiverView, with a record 600 agents and cruise partners attending. The event has returned to Amsterdam  – which was most recently the host venue in 2024 – with delegates this year joined by celebrity cruiser Susan Calman as part of the conference business sessions.

Delegates have also attended a networking trade fair and training workshops. In addition, eight operators have ships moored locally for agents to visit and stay on.

The line-up is:

* AmaWaterways – AmaSerena

* Amadeus River Cruises – AMADEUS Riva

* Avalon Waterways – Avalon View

* Emerald Cruises – Emerald Luna

* Riverside Luxury Cruises – Riverside Debussy

* Riviera Travel – Geoffrey Chaucer

* TUI River Cruises – TUI Maya

* VIVA Cruises – VIVA ENJOY

During the event, CLIA announced the return of its one-day River Cruise Forum in Manchester. The Forum, taking place in October, will offer business sessions, networking and product training. Representatives from river cruise operators and associated partners will help lead sessions, with further details to be announced shortly.

CLIA also unveiled a new initiative, ‘Opportunity Docks’, which launches this month for all agent members. The new online platform will make a raft of videos available, covering:

• Cruise brands and ships, including those at RiverView
• Destinations and itineraries
• Key people from across the industry

The destination and itinerary information will be supplemented by a downloadable factsheet, covering additional detail including the CLIA cruise brands that sail to the highlighted ports of call.

CLIA additionally stated a limited number of tickets are available for its annual conference, which this year takes place from June 4-6 and will include business sessions, a networking trade fair, ‘Sailaway’ party and ship visits. An optional ‘New to Selling Cruise Sales Day’ will again take place the day before the conference starts.

Andy Harmer, CLIA UK & Ireland managing director, said: “The record-breaking numbers we’ve seen at RiverView highlight the positive momentum and demand we’re seeing across the river cruise sector. Many thanks to everyone attending, our sponsors, and the river cruise lines who have made the sessions and ship visits possible.

“The events and initiatives we’ve announced today are designed to further enhance the knowledge and insight of agents who are already selling or looking to sell river cruise. By giving even greater access to the people, product and places that make river cruise so special, we’re ensuring the trade have everything they need to boost their bookings.”

For more information, go to trade.cruising.org