Avalon targets younger market

Avalon Waterways UK has launched a European river brochure aimed at a more active market in a bid to attract a younger customer.

The Active Discovery on the Danube brochure will cover cruises from Linz to Budapest on the Danube and will include outdoor pursuits such as helping with apricot harvests.

Other excursions include guided mountain climbing, hiking, paddling a canoe or cycling.

David Binns, Avalon head of product commented: “We are really looking forward to being able to offer our customers such a thrilling and fun choice of activities.  They will be able to fully immerse themselves in local life and be as active as they wish as they sail through the stunning landscapes of Austria, Bratislava and Hungary.”

Prices for the nine-day cruise from Linz to Budapest (and reverse itinerary) start at £2,483 per person, based on October 16, 2017 departure.  The voyage will call at  Linz, Grein, Durnstein, Krems, Vienna, Bratislava, Visegard and Budapest.

The new cruise coincides with the launch of Avalon Fresh, a range of healthy menus for using fresh, local produce from small farms and producers.

Binns added: “Avalon offers guests the most flexible river cruise experience, from the relaxed style of dining options to choosing an excursion pace or activity that suits the individual. Our suite ships have a high percentage of larger sized Panorama Suites so we can offer the premium stateroom capacity that our competitors are not able to.”

“Our sales team will be working hard to offer agents advice and training about selling this new type of river cruise and we will organise ‘fam trips’ so our key agents can experience Active Discovery cruises for themselves.”