Trade bookings have increased by 35% year-on-year for the river cruise and touring operator, with solo departures up 66%
Signature tours are proving similarly popular (up 38%), as are river cruises (up 51%).
The operator's trade team has increased its share of the wider business by 10%.
Vicky Billing, head of trade and partnerships for the UK & Ireland, said, "We are over the moon with the support we have had from our amazing trade partners this year. My team and I are so grateful for every single booking and want to sincerely thank all our partners.
“We constantly listen to agent feedback and shape our approach in terms of being easy to do business with and offering the best possible support. It’s vital for us to partner with everyone we can, including retail, online and homeworkers, whether they be in a store, working remotely or in a contact centre."
Recent developments include the launch of a new online training platform and the operator's largest-ever solo programme for 2026.
Vicky continued, “It’s been particularly satisfying to see travel agents who have never sold Riviera making bookings on a regular basis. We have fantastic momentum with our established partners, and are now starting to see new partnerships begin to flourish too. The upcoming peaks period promises to be our most exciting yet, with more opportunities on offer to the trade than ever before.”
The last year has also seen Riviera Travel host 10 fam trips across the river cruise and escorted touring product, reduce admin by around 50% with an internal trade app, and host its bi-annual trade engagement committee to encourage greater feedback.
At the operator's 40th anniversary celebration, we heard from Vicky about her "whirlwind" first few months in the role and how her experience as a high street agent has become central to her approach.
