Los Angeles, Calif. (September 3, 2008) -Viking River Cruises®, which offers river cruises and cruisetours through Europe, Russia, Ukraine and China, has just been honored by Travel Weekly for its marketing efforts in a variety of media and for the quality of its China river cruise fleet.
Viking's 2009 River Cruise Atlas™, detailing all Viking River Cruises itineraries in Europe, Russia and China, was selected as a 2008 Gold Magellan Award Winner in the Cruise Ship/Direct Mail category. Additionally, the company was honored with a Gold Magellan Award in the Cruise Ship/TV Commercial category for its NBC China Promotion advertising spot.
A full-page advertisement promoting Viking's China itineraries that appeared in National Geographic magazine was selected as a Silver Magellan Award Winner in the Cruise Ship/Print Advertising category. And lastly, Viking Century Sky, a member of Viking's Yangtze River fleet, was also honored as a Silver Magellan Award Winner in the Cruise Ship/River Cruise Ship category.
"This year's Magellan Award Winners represent the best in travel from design, to marketing, to services," noted Arnie Weismann, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly. "On behalf of Travel Weekly, we are proud to honor this year's winners and are excited to recognize the people who are at the forefront of the travel industry."
"We are thrilled with this recognition from a prestigious industry publication like Travel Weekly," said Richard Marnell, Viking's Senior Vice President of Marketing. "Our sales and marketing team work hard to communicate our company's message and detailed information about our product offerings to our travel agent partners. These awards tell us that we are succeeding in getting the word out in a clear and timely manner, and that we are also succeeding in communicating with potential guests in ways that support the travel agent's efforts to sell Viking River Cruises vacations to their clients."
For more information on Viking River Cruises, visit www.vikingrivercruises.com
About Viking River Cruises
Viking River Cruises, the world's largest river cruise company, offers quality service, gourmet cuisine and comfortable scenic cruising along the majestic rivers of Europe, Russia and China. The company has been honored multiple times as the top river cruise line on Condé Nast Traveler's "Gold List" and Travel + Leisure's "World's Best" Awards. Travel agents have also recognized Viking River Cruises in 2006 and 2007 as "Best Riverboat Cruise Line" by Travel Weekly, "Best River Cruise Line" by Recommend and Travel Agent magazines, and in 2006, 2007 and 2008 as "Best Overall Cruise Line for River Cruising" by TravelAge West. Since its 1997 inception, the company has grown to a fleet of 21 vessels, and provides unique, deluxe vacations to experienced travelers with an interest in geography, culture and history. For additional information, contact Viking River Cruises at 1-877-668-4546 (1-877-66VIKING) toll-free or visit the company online at www.vikingrivercruises.com.