China’s luxury cruising is on the
rise, while older ships are
suffering, but Australian offices
report strong overall growth.
ACCORDING to an article in China Daily,
Yangtze river cruise companies have
experienced a fall in passengers, forcing fares
to be slashed on some vessels.
Century Cruises and Yangtze Gold Cruises
have delayed the maiden voyages of their new
ships, moving this month’s planned launches
to the end of the year, in a move apparently
aimed at “buffering market pressure”.
According to Chongqing’s tourism authority,
passenger numbers in the first half of 2012
dropped to 446,000 – a 6% decrease year on
year.
In the “luxury” segment, the total passenger
volume was down 2.1%, despite an increase in
the number of ships.
Over the past two years, 14 new five-star
river vessels have started operating on the
Yangtze, boosting the total number from 12 to
26.
Yangtze Gold Cruises is set to start building
another seven luxury vessels at the end of this
year, which experts warn may result in fierce
price wars.
In the Australian market, Avalon Waterways
has slightly decreased fares for next year’s
Yangtze itineraries.
Christian Schweitzer, Avalon Waterways’
marketing manager Australasia, told Cruise
Weekly the company’s 2012 bookings had
been “on par” with 2011, but forward
bookings for 2013 were already up 70% on this
time last year.
“We attribute this to working with a new
cruise operator next year, Century Cruises,
which allows us to offer new, modern ships,”
he said.
Meanwhile, Uniworld’s 2013 pricing has
slightly increased to take into account its two
new ships, Century Legend and Century
Paragon, and new cruise and land
components, such as five-star hotels.
“Throughout 2012, we have experienced
steady growth,” said John Molinaro, Uniworld’s
general manager Australia.
Helen Wong’s Tours has decided to maintain
2012-13 prices for its 2013-14 brochure, which
will be released later this year.
“It has been an extremely good year for
Helen Wong’s Tours and the American-owned
Victoria Cruises it features in the program,”
said managing director Helen Wong.
Sales have more than doubled on the 15-day
Yangtze Wonders group itinerary, compared
with the previous year, outselling some of the
more traditional China tours.
“We are looking at a bright 2013,” she said.
