With this year’s ACTA regional summits wrapping up with month, the association has announced that an inaugural River Cruise Summit will be held in October 2023. Hosted by Avalon Waterways, the event will welcome 100 travel advisors on the cruise line’s “Romantic Rhine” itinerary in Europe.

This special seven-day advisor-only cruise and ACTA Summit will set sail in Amsterdam, giving agents a chance to experience the Avalon product, including ships and “Classic,” “Discovery” and “Active” excursions.

There will also be onboard workshops, networking and events on the cruise before disembarking in Basel, Switzerland.

“There’s a reason Avalon’s ships are critics’ darlings and favourites among the most discerning guests,” says Stéphanie Bishop, managing director for the Globus family of brands. “From boutique-hotel-inspired Panorama Suites that feature the industry’s only Open-Air Balconies with the widest-opening windows in cruising to decadent Comfort Collection beds that face the ever-changing scenery, we are excited to showcase what makes its Suite Ship fleet so ‘suite’ for travel advisors.”

“By spending just one week with us, travel advisors will be set-up for success for years to come,” adds Wendy Paradis, president of ACTA. “Recognizing that river cruising is the fastest growing travel style across the globe, it’s clear that the new wave in cruising is on the world’s rivers. Through our first River Cruise Summit with Avalon Waterways, we are ready to show travel advisors why river cruising is a wonderful way for them to really grow their business.”

More details for interested travel advisors, including qualifications, registration dates, and costs will be announced in coming weeks. Registration is expected to open in mid-November on a first-come-first-served basis once all registration criteria are met.