[IMG=20578-6349] Much of Europe is still experiencing temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius. One of the latest consequences of the current European heat was the information about European rivers drying up that might affect European cruises. Allegedly the current water level in Danube, Rhine and Elba affects navigation. However, travel companies that specialize in cruises interviewed by a BANKO correspondent, did not confirmed the information. They emphasized that despite the heat more and more Russian tourists prefer river cruises. Experts point out the increased interest in this type of holidays, however, divide opinions regarding dynamics of tourist flow growth. Thus, according to General Director of Tourflot, Natalia Bakuleva, sales volume has increased by 15%, while Natalia Dorofeeva, Director of Cruise Department of Bolero-tour, pointed out a 50% increase in sales of river cruises.
Meanwhile, tour operators say the majority of river cruises lovers prefer Danube. Tourists from Moscow and St. Petersburg gradually change their preferences towards Rhine, Elba and rivers of France, but the popularity of Danube increases among tourists from other Russian cities. Natalia Dunaeva, Manager of Cruise Department of Space Travel, commented: ‘tourists from Russian regions are only at the exploration stage. Therefore, they choose the promoted Danube’.
According to Natalia Dorofeeva, at the moment around 15% of clients go to cruises twice a year. Moreover, the age of passengers change – more young people chose river cruises. Among current tendencies, tour operators also emphasize the increase of sales depth. Last year tourists booked river cruises one month in advance, at present they prefer to book their tours four and even six months in advance.
