On the eve of releasing its second River Cruising brochure, Travel Indochina announced it has seen a 400% growth in cruise passenger numbers year on year over the previous period since launching its inaugural brochure.

In keeping with the tremendous demand, this year’s brochure has been expanded to 52 pages from the previous 36, and features Burma as a new destination, two new Laos itineraries, and new multi-country itineraries across Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

Managing Director of Travel Indochina, Paul Hole, is excited by the uptake of river cruising in Asia.

“River cruising offers a unique way to experience Asia, spanning the lifeblood of many of these countries,” says Paul.

“Watching life from the water provides insights into these destinations not otherwise available, so we’re delighted to see so many people sharing this unique experience. The strong growth in the category is partially attributable to the great new product and itineraries available to highly desirable destinations like Burma and Indochina.”

The new Burma product features four itineraries across two boats, the RV Paukan and The Road to Mandalay by Orient Express, and offers cruises between Bagan and Mandalay, a 4-day/3-night ‘Highlights of Burma’ Yangon-Mandalay-Sagaing-Bagan-Yangon option and an 8-day-7night ‘Ayeyarwady adventure’ on cruises that are akin to boutique hotels on the river.

The two new Laos itineraries – 7 and 11 day options – are exclusive to Travel Indochina. The ‘Laos Mekong Journey top to bottom’, 11 days / 10 nights starts from $3,123pp twin share.

Also new is the 22-day ‘All along the Mekong’ itinerary, which follows the Mekong river from near the Golden Triangle, through Northern and Southern Laos, on to Angkor Wat and temples, then from Siem Reap to Saigon. The journey winds through three entirely different countries – Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos – and offers travel on a variety of different boats (simple traditional wooden slow boats in North Laos, a converted rice barge in South Laos, and the luxurious Jahan/Jayavarman from Siem Reap to Saigon), taking passengers on a journey from ‘Asia of yesteryear’ to buzzing, modern Saigon.

Travel Indochina are hosting three exclusive 12-day cruise and tour packages, featuring an 8-day cruise on luxurious The Jahan. Departing 23 August 2012, 15 August 2013 and 26 December 2013, savings are available on international flights booked through Travel Indochina.

An Asian river cruising staple, Travel Indochina is offering Yangtze cruising specials on the Yangzi Explorer, which takes cruising to a new level of comfort for discerning travellers.

The brochure provides information designed to make a travel agent’s life easier, with new content that includes a greater focus on the benefits of river cruising, inclusions, Travel Indochina’s people, shore excursions, cuisine, and charters. Full deck plans are also included to provide agents’ information required for bookings.

For full details of River Cruising itineraries or a copy of the brochure, visit www.ticconnect.com.au or contact Travel Indochina’s Asia experts on 1300 362 777.