Travel journalist Burt Wolf has chartered nine Avalon Waterways European river cruises this year to help raise funds for public television, and Ensemble Travel Group has been named the exclusive agency distribution channel for the six latter cruises.
In 2007, Wolf developed the project when he was approached by Elizabeth Christopherson, president of New Jersey Public Television and board member of the Public Broadcasting System, to help with travel-based fundraising projects.
That year, Wolf filled an Avalon cruise specifically designed for and promoted by the station and not available to the general public.
"It included a series of wine and food tastings by local experts who have appeared in my television programs, guide booklets prepared by the research staff for my programs and lectures on architecture, art and the culture of the communities we were visiting," said Wolf.
Last year, the program was expanded to seven local public television stations around the country with seven corresponding fundraising Avalon sailings, which attracted over 1,000 passengers.
This year, Wolf upped the number of sailings to nine and decided that he could use a little help.
"I’m nervous about the economy," said Wolf, who together with public television has taken on the risk of selling and promoting the nine charters. "So far everything is fine and the boats are filling up, but I thought, I really can’t take a chance."
Avalon, which is owned by Littleton, Colo.-based Globus, presented Wolf with various preferred-agency partnerships. It was ultimately Wolf’s decision to work exclusively with Ensemble to sell six of the nine sailings. (The first three sailings with departures in March, April and May are open to additional agencies. Ensemble has access to sell all nine.)
Also, all nine sailings will be promoted to members of public television.
"It was a recommendation from Avalon to test this. So, we’ll test this," said Wolf about working with agents to sell the product. "If the boats are filled, I’m not going to talk to anybody else [besides Ensemble]."
If Ensemble doesn’t fill the boats, Wolf said he may be forced to look to other agencies.
The Burt Wolf cruises are more expensive than the equivalent Avalon cruises. For instance, Avalon’s Tulip Time cruise, nine days from Amsterdam to Antwerp, ranges from $1,799 to $2,099 per person, cruise only. Burt Wolf’s Tulip Time cruise ranges from $2,859 to $3,378 per person, cruise only.
A donation to public television and add-ons assembled by Wolf are included in the additional cost.
Add-ons include wine and chocolate tastings provided by Wolf’s friends and acquaintances throughout Europe and lectures by Wolf.
Ensemble agents earn commission on the total price, paid by Wolf because he chartered the ships.