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

The event will be followed by a sailing on the Mekong River for travel agents.

The inaugural Asia event will commence on April 10th next year, followed by a Mekong sailing departing on April 12th.

Further details are to be announced when registration opens this summer.

CLIA member travel agents 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, and particularly around the cruise holiday choices in Asia.

Andy Harmer director at CLIA UK & Ireland commented: “In 2016 the cruise sector saw an 11 per cent 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.”