Riviera Travel reports substantial growth in 2024 trade bookings, marking a significant year-on-year increase.
- Trade bookings have surged by 35%, with river cruises experiencing a remarkable 51% rise.
- The operator’s dedication to solo sailings has seen a 66% increase in bookings, highlighting market demand.
- Riviera’s strategic investments in trade teams and agent engagement have yielded a 10% business share increase since 2019.
- The introduction of new itineraries is set to broaden Riviera’s global reach, adding diverse destinations for 2025.
Riviera Travel has experienced a considerable boost in its trade bookings, witnessing a 35% annual increase. This growth extends notably to river cruises, which have surged by an impressive 51%. The company’s emphasis on solo travel has been particularly effective, with related bookings climbing by 66%, reflecting an emerging trend in the travel industry.
Investments targeted towards enhancing the trade team’s capabilities have proven fruitful. The initiative to increase engagement with UK agents has expanded Riviera’s business share from its travel partners by 10% since 2019. This strategic move involved recruiting key account managers and tailoring roles to strengthen relationships with different sales channels, which include retail, online, and home-based agents.
Riviera has not only focused on operational enhancements but has also expanded its product offerings. With the ‘Signature Tour’ itineraries experiencing a 38% rise in revenue, the company plans to introduce four additional itineraries to its 2025 schedule. These new routes will include destinations such as Morocco, Jordan & Petra, South Africa, Japan, and Southern India’s coastal areas, enhancing their global footprint to 20 unique itineraries.
Head of Trade and Partnerships for UK & Ireland, Vicky Billing, has expressed tremendous gratitude towards the support from trade partners, stating, “We are over the moon with the support we have had from our amazing trade partners this year.” This positive sentiment underscores Riviera’s commitment to maintaining robust partnerships and adapting to industry feedback.
Riviera’s recent launch of an e-learning platform, Riviera Explorer, has further solidified its dedication to supporting trade partners. With over 1000 users, including many new to the brand, the platform aims to improve agents’ knowledge and efficacy in promoting the operator’s offerings. This digital initiative represents their most substantial investment in trade support to date.
Riviera Travel’s proactive strategies and partnerships have set the stage for a dynamic and successful 2024 and beyond.
