Almost All Travel Advisors Expect to Sell River Cruises in 2020

River cruises are now mainstream, according to a new survey of travel advisors by Travel Market Report.

The survey, Travel Market Report’s “2019 Outlook on River Cruises,” found that more than 9 out of every 10 travel advisors have sold river cruises in the past 12 months, and almost all of them expect to sell them in the next year.

Over 850 travel advisors participated in the survey, which also found that most (87% of respondents) advisors are projecting an increase in river cruise sales over the next year, and they have found just how profitable the segment is for advisors.

“I have sold many river cruises, mostly either Viking or Tauck, and have always had repeat customers. Clients always return satisfied with the experience, and the lines do everything in their power to be sure of customer satisfaction,” one respondent told Travel Market Report.

Among other things, the survey, which will be released next week, also found the important role that advisors play in driving the public toward river cruises and guiding them to the most suitable itinerary and river cruise line. Twenty-five percent of advisors said that their clients would not have considered a river cruise if they hadn’t recommended it to them; and 40 of the 55 river cruise companies Travel Market Report asked about had less than 50% awareness with the audience.

The full report, which will be available on the Travel Market Report homepage here, will be released on Nov. 27.