CroisiEurope has unveiled plans to build a second boutique ship for southern Africa following demand from the trade.
The eight-cabin vessel, called Zimbabwe Dream, which will launch in March 2020 will be a sister ship to 109-foot African Dream currently operating in Lake Kariba.
Lucas Schmitter, CroisiEurope’s e-commerce and sales director, revealed Zimbabwe Dream would be one of “four or five” ships built and deployed in Africa in the coming years.
John Fair, UK sales director, said the announcement was part of several ways CroisiEurope was developing its fleet and had been prompted by trade demand.
He added that Zimbabwe Dream would not be paired with a lodge, like 16-passenger African Dream, which is deployed in Chobe National Park and first sailed in December 2017.
“We have five ships in the Mekong,” he said. “One ship in Russia and on the Loire.
“It is about having a unique product -that is very important in the market place.
“There are many other rivers for us to sail.”
Although he refused to reveal where else the line would deploy ships, he added that an announcement would be made within the next six months.
Fair, who joined in CroisiEurope in March, said: “It is really exciting time to be part of this company.”
UK trade sales in 2018 were 28% up year-on-year, he added.