Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced that it is to hold a River Cruise Conference in Asia in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The inaugural Asia event will commence on 10 April 2018, followed by a Mekong River sailing departing on 12 April 2018.

Travel agents who are members of CLIA will be able to take advantage of a trade fair and conference sessions, which will focus on identifying potential river cruise customers and learning more about the wide variety of experiences offered on a river cruise holiday, particularly around the cruise holiday choices in Asia.

Andy Harmer, SVP membership & director, CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) UK & Ireland made the announcement at the annual CLIA conference UK.

Harmer said: “In 2016 the cruise sector saw an 11% rise in the number of UK passengers taking a river cruise holiday. With a whole host of state of the art ships launching last year and another 13 ships on their way in 2017, not to mention the wide variety of excursions and on board amenities including, pools, cinemas and cookery schools on offer, agents selling cruise can really benefit from the variety of holiday choices on offer for their customers.”

Harmer added: ‘The River Conference offers travel agents a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand so many different styles of river ship and to hear from key speakers on the latest industry developments and it’s great that for the first time ever we are able to give agents and our trade partner delegates the opportunity to experience the burgeoning Asia river market for themselves.

“We are going to fly into Ho Chi Minh City, spend a couple of days there, and then we are going to spend three nights cruising down the Mekong.

“It is all about, not just showcasing those really important and growing centres of cruising, but also about bringing you all together.”