Travel industry partners will reap the benefits of selling Mekong river cruise holidays for 2018 and 2019 according to tour and cruise operator APT. 

APT’s head of sales and commercial, Angela Waite said: “We’ve seen an incredible response to Vietnam and Cambodia. Bookings made this year for the 2018 season have tripled for both our Luxury and Premium river cruising programmes and we’re already seeing a growth in bookings for travel as far as 2019.

“With our new brochure now available, an exciting range of early booking offers, a special agent launch incentive and our dedicated on road sales team assisting trade partners across the UK, we anticipate more strong sales to come in the year ahead.”

APT’s new Asia 2018-2019 River Cruising & Guided Touring brochure is out now and features luxury and premium holidays to Vietnam and Cambodia, Myanmar, China and India.

To reward travel agents for their support the company has announced an incentive, a £20 shopping voucher for every booking made from the new brochure before November 30, 2017.

The new brochure showcases APT’s new Luke Nguyen Signature Experience. In 2018 all guests travelling on an APT Luxury Vietnam tour to Ho Chi Minh City will enjoy exclusive access to APT ambassador and celebrity chef Luke Nguyen’s new restaurant, Vietnam House. As part of the experience guests will sample a special tasting menu designed to showcase classic and modern dishes from across North and South Vietnam.

An additional date has been added to the tour hosted by Nguyen himself, the 16 day Luke Nguyen Vietnam and Mekong River Cruise. Agents can now offer a choice of two dates for 2018, August 9 and November 29, with the chef personally hosting a walking tour of Saigon, a cooking class at his Grain studio, a dinner at Vietnam House and joining the cruise to host ‘getting to know Luke’ sessions with guests.

Special launch offers have been announced to celebrate the new APT Asia programme. Valid until February 28, 2018 these include the chance to offer clients free flights in Premium Economy on select Luxury departures to Vietnam and Cambodia and Myanmar.

For example this offer is valid on the 15-day Vietnam and Cambodia Highlights from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City. Priced from £3,995 per person twin share, highlights include the chance to enjoy drinks while watching the sunset over Angkor Wat and a luxury Mekong river cruise aboard the recently refurbished all balcony suite AmaLotus, as well as special culinary highlights designed by chef Luke Nguyen.

APT is also offering economy “Fly Free” offers on select Premium holidays to Vietnam and Cambodia and Myanmar; and agents can offer free companion flights on its Luxury China departure and the Premium holiday to India.