Barrhead Travel has achieved a 43% rise in river cruise bookings in the past year since pledging to ensure each branch has a specialist.
The statistic was revealed at the agency’s annual conference, where delegates also heard that overall cruise bookings had grown by 13% compared with last year, with mainstream cruising up 14% and luxury cruising up 3%.
The top river cruise destinations have been the Rhine, the Danube and the Douro.
Land-based holidays have recorded a 12% growth in bookings, with touring and adventure and US trips growing by up to 32%.
Canada, South Africa, Thailand, Japan and Vietnam have been strong performers among customers seeking “immersive tours”, the agency said.
Barrhead Travel’s overall booking revenues are 12% up this year compared with 2023 and the latest data shows a total of 49% of bookings are through repeat customers.
This year’s annual conference in Ibiza is Barrhead Travel’s second overseas, following last year’s event in Palma.
A conference was also recently held for assistant managers for the first time, with a Virgin Voyages ship playing host. The agency said it would arrange the event again next year.