TokyoTomo Travel Guide

Norwegian cruise company Hurtigruten held a joint trade seminar with Scandinavian Tourist Board to promote its Norway coastal cruise and other winter programs. The company offers a winter promotional fare with a discount up to 62 percent and proposed some model plans combined with flights.

Yoko Miyazawa, staff of Sales and Reservation Center for Japan, spoke of the unique experience on the cruise to watch aurora (northern lights) with no hustle. Being on the sea, passengers can enjoy the spectacular view of aurora in the surroundings where few artificial lights are in sight. Besides, they are given on request an “aurora wakeup call” not to miss it appearing in the small hours. The Norway cruise travel in two directions: one is north-bound course sailing from Bergen to Kirkenes, and the other is south-bound from Kirkenes to Bergen. The two voyages are operated in different time-line, and therefore present different scenery along the way. She says, “The sight of Lofoten Islands is best seen in wintertime on the southbound boat. Each cruise has its advantage and people should select one that suits best to their purpose.”

Miyazawa says that Hurtigruten used to be incorporated into a tour program as part of Scandinavian circular tour. Now that its awareness has risen by its exposure in TV programs, many tourists visit the place just for the Hurtigruten’s cruise. She proposes three- to four-day programs for the region, saying, “Overnight or two-night stay is too short. You should devote three nights or more to enjoy the trip to the fullest.” She sets the target number of passengers at 500 to be boarded during the period from December 2009 to March 2010. She plans to work on the web with travel agents who specialize in student tours by offering promotional fares as she wants to explore the youth market.

Source: Travel Vision

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