AI Discovery To Unlock Market For River Cruises

Bhisham Mansukhani - Mumbai

AI Discovery Tours, along with international river cruise major Viking Cruises, will introduce river cruises for the Indian outbound segment. While initial promotions will focus on river cruising in Europe, Russia and China, AI Discovery GM, Girish Vidwans does not rule out the possibility of local cruises on the Brahmaputra in Assam and the Ganga within the next two years. It is already discussing this possibility with the government. AI Discovery Tours is the India PSA for Viking Tours.

Vidwans stressed that river cruises is a niche different from ocean cruises where contact with land is predominant. "Indian outbounders have not been exposed to the concept of river cruising as a holisitc vacation yet. It combines water and land-based tourism unlike ocean cruises where tourists may have to go without touching land for more than a day," Vidwans said.

Vidwans believes that China is his most potential market, given its proximity and the gathering tourism interest there. In fact, the land-based aspect is likely to be more pronounced since a lot of attractions are land-locked and need time to explore.

The company's concentration in terms of marketing is reportedly in the western region right now and is strengthening its agent network for bookings for 2006. It is also in negotiations with China Eastern Airlines and Singapore Airlines for Chinese river cruise packages. Certain European carriers have also been contacted.

Established by a Scandinavian and Dutch consortium, Viking River Cruises has a fleet of 25 ships and river cruise itineraries spread across Europe, Russia and China.