Avalon Waterways launches Europe Exclusive Collection 2008

Stewart Williams, MD of the Globus family of brands [pictured right] yesterday not only launched Avalon’s new 2008 Europe Exclusive Collection, but also announced that the company had secured the services of Steve Liebmann, one of Australia’s most popular broadcasters as its Ambassador.

Launching the programme Stewart told The Mole that it featured 10 departures of Avalon’s best-selling river cruise, Magnificent Europe, on the newly christened Avalon Imagery, with the ability to mix and match with Globus’ very extensive Europe coach touring programmes.

The 15 day Magnificent Europe cruise, one of which Steve will be hosting in September 2008, begins in Hungary and sails through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and the Netherlands on the Avalon Imagery, on of two purpose built ships, introduced to the fleet this year.  [The Avalon Tapestry is pictured left] The vessel also operates reverse itineraries this year beginning in Amsterdam and ending in Budapest.

He added, that although the market was very competitive, Aussie passenger numbers on Avalon Cruises in Europe had boomed, growing more than 200% in 2006, with all research showing that growth would continue, with estimates of 100% growth in 2007 and while coach touring was also booming, river cruising was the star in their portfolio.

Stewart said that Avalon is not interested in what their competitors are doing, but that they are interested in what Avalon can do and provide and the ultimate result is that passengers come back and want to go again and tell their friends.

He also said that agents should have absolute confidence in this style of product, with high demand and there were individuals out there who had never considered doing ocean cruising or coach cruising but would now consider river cruising.

Welcoming Steve Liebmann [pictured right] on board as Avalon’s Ambassador, Stewart said that Steve and his wife had been on a cruise and loved it, and that Steve would be playing a very important role in spreading the message about the many pleasures of river cruising. 

He also said that what was critical in the choice of Steve was that he is known for his integrity and as the Globus family of brands is know as businesses of very high integrity, there were great synergies. 

He also said that Steve made it clear that if he did not like the product or that he did not think it was excellent in every way, he would not endorse it.

Steve told The Mole he had never endorsed a product before, but when Stewart approached him and suggested he tried one first, he thought why not and was amazed with the quality of the vessels, the food, the places they visited, in fact the whole package, which if that had not been the case he would not have taken the role.

He added that he is really saying to travellers, this is a really great product and I have tried it.

What clicked with him was that he is a firm believer having travelled a great deal, saying that if your wife is happy then you are happy and you will both have a great holiday……….my wife loved it, so the result was great and we are looking forward to our next river cruise.

“My wife said that they have clearly designed everything with women in mind, the bathrooms, the closet space and even space under the beds for suitcases”, and my wife and I loved the floor to ceiling windows.

The food was great with excellent buffet lunches and breakfasts, and a served sit down dinner, with great choice and staff.

Look out for me on brochures and programmes, but essentially that is it, with my face and my name endorsing the product and believe me, if I did not think it was great, I would not be doing it.

Report by The Mole

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