Discover the World has partnered with VIVA Cruises to represent the European river cruise operator in India, signalling growing interest in premium cruise experiences among Indian travellers. The collaboration aims to strengthen trade engagement and position river cruising as a mainstream holiday segment in the market.
Discover the World has announced a new partnership with VIVA Cruises, under which it will represent the brand commercially in India. The agreement will see Discover the World lead trade engagement, sales development, and market activation initiatives across key Indian cities.
The partnership is effective immediately and is designed to build awareness and demand for VIVA Cruises among Indian travellers and the travel trade. Discover the World will leverage its established network of travel agents and tour operators to position the brand in the Indian market.
VIVA Cruises is one of Europe’s fastest-growing river cruise operators, offering year-round sailings across major European rivers including the Rhine, Danube, Main, Douro, and Moselle. The brand focuses on premium experiences, combining contemporary design, high-quality dining, and culturally immersive itineraries.
Focus on premium and experiential travel
The collaboration reflects increasing demand from Indian travellers for experiential and high-value travel products. VIVA Cruises aims to position its offerings, including the VIVA Boutique concept, as a premium option for travellers seeking personalised and design-led cruise experiences.
Andrea Kruse, CEO & Co-Founder, VIVA Cruises, said, “India represents a strategically important and high-potential market for river cruising. Partnering with Discover the World gives us immediate access to an experienced team that understands the nuances of the Indian travel trade and knows how to successfully position premium travel products in this market.”
Rony Broun, Vice President Sales Asia, VIVA Cruises, said the partnership is aimed at unlocking new opportunities in the Indian market and accelerating brand awareness and sales growth. Patrick Ell, Vice President Commercial & Marketing, VIVA Cruises, added that leveraging Discover the World’s distribution network will support long-term growth in India.
Dipti Adhia, Country Director, Discover the World, India, said, “We are delighted to welcome VIVA Cruises to our portfolio and are excited about the opportunity to grow their presence in the Indian market. With our established network, we are well-positioned to build awareness and drive demand for VIVA Cruises while working closely with the trade to make river cruising a more mainstream holiday choice.”
With this partnership, both companies aim to strengthen the presence of European river cruising in India by focusing on trade education, product positioning, and targeted market development initiatives.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
