This year has been a very positive year for river cruise and has seen an 8 percent rise in the number of UK passengers and to recognise those that made this happen, Cruise Lines International Association celebrated with an awards ceremony at the annual CLIA River Cruise Conference in Amsterdam on the November 20 and 21.

“In 2017, the river cruise market has a great opportunity for further growth from UK travellers,” explained Giles Hawkes, CLIA Deputy Chair and CEO of Avalon Waterways UK. “With more options for different styles of river cruising than ever before. We are grateful to our travel agent partners who have been recognised by these inaugural awards for their contribution to that growth in the popularity of river cruising.”

Now in its sixth annual year, the CLIA River Cruise Excellence Awards took place on Saturday, November 19.

Hosted on board Tauck’s Grace, the event bought together senior cruise industry figures, agents and journalists for an evening of celebration. The awards were sponsored by a number of river cruise line operators including AmaWaterway, Avalon, French America Line, Pandaw, Uniworld and A-ROSA.

Following the awards the official after party took place on board Emerald Waterway’s Emerald Dawn.

Andy Harmer, VP of Operations and Director of UK & Ireland said, “It is tremendously important to recognise the individuals and businesses who make a contribution to the success of the industry – and we are delighted to be working with the whole river cruise industry in creating the first Awards specifically for this sector”.

The eight winners are:

Best River Cruise Newcomer
Reader Offers Ltd

Best Marketing Promotion of River Cruise – Online
The Cruise Village

River Cruise Ambassador of the Year
Margaret McCorriston, Planet Cruise

Best Overall Performance – North
River Voyages (WTH UK)

Best Marketing Promotion of River Cruise – Retail
Baldwins Travel

CLIA River Cruise Agent of the Year
Juliet Archer, Bluewater Holidays

Best Overall Performance – South
Iglu Cruise / Planet Cruise

Best Marketing Promotion of River Cruise – Homeworker
Cruise.co.uk