Riviera Travel has set an ambitious target to double its passenger numbers by 2030.
- Currently serving just under 100,000 passengers annually, the goal is to reach 200,000.
- Key growth is anticipated in short-haul tours, with river cruising also highlighted.
- Enhancements in customer reach and holiday experience are central to their strategy.
- Trade partnerships are deemed essential to achieving these ambitious goals.
Riviera Travel, a prominent operator, has made a landmark announcement by setting a target to significantly expand its passenger numbers by the end of this decade. Currently accommodating under 100,000 travellers each year, the goal is to elevate this figure to 200,000. This ambitious plan was articulated by Chief Executive Phil Hullah during the company’s 40th-anniversary celebrations in Paris.
In his address, Hullah emphasised the growth potential in the touring sector, alongside European and long-haul river cruises. “By capturing a greater market share in our existing operational areas, we foresee substantial market expansion,” he stated. The strategy is not solely reliant on introducing new products; rather, it focuses on expanding existing offerings, such as river cruises and diverse tour options.
Short-haul tours are expected to contribute substantially to the immediate passenger growth. Riviera Travel intends to rely on three main benchmarks: extending customer reach, evolving the holiday proposition, and enhancing guest experiences. Hullah is confident that aligning these elements will lead the business to prosperity.
Vicky Billing, Head of Trade Partnerships for the UK & Ireland, highlighted the pivotal role of trade partnerships in this growth strategy. She noted that increasing collaboration with agents is crucial to reaching the ambitious target of 200,000 passengers annually. Billing remarked, “Our obsession with trade partners and the support they provide is key to our strategy.”
The company is expanding its trade sales team and investing heavily in trade support. They believe that nurturing these relationships is essential for mutual success. The focus is on working closely with agents to double their current passenger numbers. Billing underscored the importance of this collaboration, stating, “We need the trade to support us so we have to support them.”
Riviera Travel’s focus on trade partnerships and enhancing customer experiences is central to achieving its ambitious growth target by 2030.
