Turkish Airlines and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises are targeting Taiwanese luxury travelers seeking alternative travel experiences in Europe, the companies said yesterday.
People booking individual Uniworld river cruises would be eligible for a 5 percent discount on cabin fares if they also fly Turkish Airlines, they said in a statement.
The discount would not apply to travelers joining packaged cruise tours or boarding charter cruises.
Photo: AFP
Cruise travelers booking flights with travel agencies that are partners with Turkish Airlines could also receive discounts on airfare, they said.
The Istanbul-based airline serves 305 international destinations in 133 countries, with 12 flights per week between Taipei and Istanbul.
Through the airline’s network, travelers could reach European cities with major river cruise ports, including those along the Danube, Rhine, Rhone, Seine and Douro rivers, the California-based cruise operator said.
Unlike oceangoing cruises, which feature onboard entertainment facilities and multiple port calls at large commercial seaports, river cruises target travelers seeking small, luxury tour experiences with a focus on relaxed, slow-paced travel, Uniworld Asia managing director Henry Yu (俞翰傑) said.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic eased, travelers have been spending more on luxury travel and increasingly favor exclusive, slow-paced and in-depth experiences over fast-paced multicountry tours, Yu said.
Taiwan remains Uniworld’s largest market in Asia in both passenger volume and revenue, outperforming markets such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, he said.
About 30 percent of the Uniworld’s river cruise passengers take another river cruise within a year, while the repeat-customer rate increases to 70 percent within three years, he said.
Uniworld, founded in 1976, plans to expand its fleet to 20 ships by next year, adding four new vessels, Yu said.
The company is upgrading its fleet, dining services and city-center itineraries while developing new itineraries, he added.
River cruises, which usually last 10 to 12 days, mainly attract travelers aged 55 to 70, although younger travelers often join their parents on the trips, Phoenix Tours strategy head Stanley Shao (邵鼎清) said.
Uniworld’s premium positioning attracts affluent customers, and repeat bookings accounting for 10 to 20 percent of sales, he said.
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