Riviera Travel is offering another means of travel inspiration for holidaymakers planning their next adventure. They now have the opportunity to dip into the Riviera Travel team’s wealth of knowledge via a new YouTube series discussing some of Riviera Travel’s most popular destinations. Hosted by Riviera Travel’s Product Director, Will Sarson, and Linda Harris, Senior Product Manager, the first episode takes an in-depth look at Japan by sharing valuable first-hand advice, travel tips, personal stories, key highlights, and detailed product overviews. Will Sarson said: “Our holidays are packed with incredible experiences, and sometimes a brochure page, facebook post, or website blog just isn’t enough to showcase everything. We have fantastic in-house expertise, and we want to make the most of it.” “This series allows us to demonstrate our deep product knowledge, while also giving our audience the chance to ask us questions.” Travel agents and holidaymakers planning to visit the destinations featured all have the opportunity to ask the Riviera Travel experts questions that have been submitted via social media prior to recording. Upcoming topics will be announced in advance across the cruise and tour operator’s Facebook and Instagram pages, so viewers have time to send in their questions. “We started with Japan because this is one of our favourites,” said Lee Cross, Social Media Lead at Riviera Travel. “Our Grand Tour is new and features some incredible destinations and USPs, like the Kurobe Gorge. Plus, Linda and Will are true experts, and we knew their insight would be a great starting point for the series.” “Ask The Experts” episode one is available now on Riviera Travel’s YouTube channel. Future episodes currently in production include an exclusive “Ask The Expert” featuring one of Riviera Travel’s top Tour Managers, in South Africa and filmed on location. Specials on Canada and New Zealand are also in planning. All popular itineraries in Riviera Travel’s escorted tours category. River Cruises, Ocean & Yacht Cruises, and European Tours will be covered as production of the series continues.

Riviera Travel is expanding commissionable options for travel agent sales. It will offer its most inclusive commission levels ever, providing better earning opportunities for agents. Riviera will now pay commissions on previously exempt elements, such as additional upgrades and other ancillary add-ons. Commission will now be available on all sole occupancy supplements, room upgrades, flight upgrades, and extras like personalising holiday experiences, extra baggage, pre-booked seats, and priority boarding. This development offers significant earning potential for each Riviera booking. It is a notable opportunity for agents who focus on booking cruises, Riviera says. The shift is a direct result of feedback from the Riviera Agent Engagement Committee. The additional commission earning opportunity is supported by the current peaks campaign where agents receive a £30 voucher for every booking made from until February 28, 2025. For themed river cruise bookings, the voucher amount doubles. There will also be a weekly prize draw where all bookings during this period are entered to potentially win £1,000 preloaded Mastercard credit. Vicky Billing, Head of Sales for Riviera Travel said: “Travel agents play a pivotal role and serve as our trusted advisors who can navigate the complexities of travel arrangements.” “I'm delighted that our new incentives mean our agents can earn more. "

  Riviera Travel has announced the appointment of Alexander Davies as key account manager for the north on a 12-month fixed term contract, effective immediately.   Alexander will focus on building relationships with the river cruise and escorted tour specialist’s travel agent partners. He will report to Claire Hills, national sales manager for retail and OTAs.   Alexander previously worked as an account manager at Red Bull.   The appointment brings Riviera’s dedicated trade team to eight people.   Claire Hills said: “We are excited to welcome Alexander into our growing team. He brings a great blend of energy and innovative thinking, and his skillset will support our long-term goals as we aim to grow trade engagement in the north.”   Alexander Davies said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the experienced trade sales team at Riviera Travel and look forward to working with our key partners across the northwest. Drawing on my knowledge of the region and sales expertise, I’m excited to build strong relationships with agents, helping them effectively promote our exceptional range of travel experiences and contribute to the company’s continued growth.”

Riviera Travel has launched a new training module on its e-learning platform, ‘Riviera Explorer.’ It is designed to help travel agents prepare for peaks sales. The ‘Primed for Peaks’ module includes a number of sections with tips and advice, such as how to order brochures, assisting with marketing plans and contact information for key account managers. It also details Riviera selling tips and information on how to book its cruise and escorted tour programmes for 2025 and 2026. It highlights solo dedicated departures, no-fly options and current top-selling itineraries. Agents who complete every training module by December 31, 2024, will be in with a chance of winning a space on a Sri Lanka escorted tour fam trip departing in 2025 or a Blue Danube Cruise fam trip on new ship Riviera Radiance, departing in 2025. A total of 40 travel agent places are up for grabs. Since its launch in October, 'Riviera Explorer' has seen more than 1,000 agents, half of whom are new to selling Riviera, signing up. Vicky Billing, head of trade and partnerships, said: “This new option will ensure agents are primed and ready to take full advantage of this key selling period.” “As with other modules on our new e-learning platform, it is designed to make life easy for our trade partners, so they can learn at a pace that suits them.” “‘Riviera Explorer’ has been a huge hit with the trade since launching, with agents praising the level of detail within the modules and the ability to become a certified Riviera Expert.”

  Riviera Travel has launched a new training module on its e-learning platform, ‘Riviera Explorer’, to help travel agents prepare for peaks.   The ‘Primed for Peaks’ module includes a number of sections with tips and advice, such as how to order brochures, assisting with marketing plans and contact information for Riviera’s key account managers.   It also details Riviera selling tips and information on how to book its cruise and escorted tour programmes for 2025 and 2026, including solo dedicated departures, no-fly options and current top-selling itineraries.   ‘Riviera Explorer’ represents the operator’s most significant investment to date in digital trade support. It is for both experienced sellers and those new to selling Riviera and features the latest news and updates via bite-sized training modules. Agents who complete every training module by December 31, 2024, will be in with a chance of winning a space on a Sri Lanka escorted tour fam trip departing in 2025 or a Blue Danube Cruise fam trip on new ship Riviera Radiance, departing in 2025, with 40 places in total up for grabs.   Since its launch in October, 'Riviera Explorer' has seen significant uptake, with more than 1000 agents, half of whom are new to selling Riviera, signing up.   Vicky Billing, head of trade and partnerships UK & Ireland at Riviera, said: “We know how important the next few weeks are for the trade as they prepare for the all-important peaks, and this new option on ‘Riviera Explorer’ will ensure they are primed and ready to take full advantage of this key selling period. As with other modules on our new e-learning platform, it is designed to make life easy for our trade partners, so they can learn at a pace that suits them.   “‘Riviera Explorer’ has been a huge hit with the trade since launching, with agents praising the level of detail within the modules and the ability to become a certified Riviera Expert. We’re excited to see how the platform will evolve and I encourage agents to sign up and learn more about our extensive range of holidays.”

  Riviera Travel has announced the appointment of Katy Potten as its first head of brand, campaigns and PR, effective immediately.   Katy will have overall responsibility for Riviera’s brand and campaigns strategy and will oversee creative output, including marketing planning, campaign and product launches, and content production. She will report to Sarah Fowler, marketing director.   Katy was most recently head of brand and acquisition at Travelopia and has previously held roles at Merlin Entertainment, easyJet and Tui.   Sarah Fowler said: “We’re delighted to welcome Katy to the team as we look to supercharge our campaigns and grow brand awareness. We’ve seen huge demand for our cruise and escorted tour programmes, and with Katy’s expertise and experience, we’re eager to see how we can take things to the next level and encourage more people to travel with Riviera.”   Katy Potten said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Riviera at what is an exciting time in the cruise and escorted touring space. The company has been on an upward trajectory for many years and I look forward to working with the team as we look to capitalise on future opportunities.”

Riviera Travel trade bookings have increased by more than a third year-on-year. This includes an uptick of 51% for river cruises, and 66% for dedicated solo departures across both its cruise and escorted touring product. The trade has also prompted a sharp rise in 'Signature Tour' demand on long-haul escorted tours. Signature tours - which offer up to three enhanced experiences on existing itineraries - have seen a 38% growth in trade revenue year-on-year. As such, further itineraries will be added to next year's programme - Imperial Cities of Morocco, Jordan & Petra; South Africa; The Best of Japan; and Southern India's Coastal Route - bringing the worldwide total on offer up to 20. Overall, the trade team has increased its bookings share of Riviera's business by 10% since 2019. The operator has made a concerted effort to improve engagement with agents since the start of the year. This includes: Bolstering its trade team. Seven key account managers are now in place, with four additions recruited this year. Two newly created roles - national sales manager, retail & OTAs; and national sales manager, homeworkers - have also been introduced. A dedicated trade reservations team is additionally now in place. The trade marketing team has been expanded by three to five. Running a bi-annual trade engagement committee, with a cross-section of agents from the industry, the committee is in place to gather feedback, act on suggestions and help explain Riviera's plans and updates. Hosting 10 Fam trips, across both river cruise and escorted touring product, to a record 100 agents. The launch earlier this month of a new e-learning platform - 'Riviera Explorer' - which aims to help agents improve their brand knowledge. The platform already has over 1,000 users, half of whom are new-to-brand. Introducing an internal trade app, which allows key account managers to track their agent visits and outcomes. To date it has reduced the time spent on administration tasks by around 50%. Enhancing relationships with both The Travel Network Group and Advantage Travel Partnership, to help secure further partnerships with more independent agents. Vicky Billing, Riviera Travel head of trade and partnerships 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.” "It's been particularly satisfying to see travel agents who have never sold Riviera making bookings on a regular basis." 

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  Riviera Travel has lowered prices on select 2025 European escorted tours departing from July through to November.   Savings of up to £130pp are now available across 89 departure dates, including Classic and Signature tours. Options include:   * Four-day Paris classic tour, departing July 19, 2025, with prices now from £559pp. * Eight-day Norway signature tour, departing August 1, 2025, with prices now from £2469pp. * Eight-day Puglia, Lecce & Vieste classic tour, departing September 5, 2025, with prices now from £1539pp. * Eight-day Sicily signature tour, departing September 15, 2025, with prices now from £2099pp. * Six-day Slovenia and Lake Bled signature tour, departing September 24, 2025, with prices now from £1399pp. * Eight-day Lake Garda, Venice & Verona signature tour, departing October 8, 2025, with prices now from £2249pp.   Joanne Lynn, head of product - European at Riviera, said: “Our mission is to provide exceptional holiday experiences at unbeatable value for money, and these new savings on select 2025 European tours are further evidence of our desire to make escorted touring more accessible for all. There’s so much included in the price of a Riviera tour, including flights and transfers, making the whole experience stress-free from start to finish. There’s never been a better time for guests to book and take in the wonders of Europe.”   For 2025, Riviera has reduced the group size on its Classic tours, with a maximum of 36 guests. Meanwhile, Signature tours have an average of just 22 guests and up to four enhanced experiences.   All Riviera Travel escorted tours include return flights and transfers, accommodation, tours and visits, select meals, local taxes and an expert tour manager throughout.

Riviera Travel has unveiled a new travel agent e-learning platform. The 'Riviera Explorer' platform aims to help travel agents improve their brand knowledge. Now live, it is the operator's most significant investment to date in online travel agent support. It has been designed for both experienced sellers and those new to selling Riviera. It features the latest Riviera news and updates and training modules with itineraries and unique selling points across river, ocean cruise and escorted tour products. Agents can complete the training programme in approximately four to five hours to become a certified Riviera Expert. Agents who complete every training module by December 31, 2024, will have a chance of winning a place on a Sri Lanka escorted tour fam trip departing in 2025 or a Blue Danube Cruise fam trip on new ship Riviera Radiance in 2025. Vicky Billing, head of trade and partnerships at Riviera, said: "We're so excited to officially launch 'Riviera Explorer', which represents the next stage of our trade-first strategy and takes our travel agent support to the next level.” 'Riviera Explorer' can be accessed via www.rivexplorer.com. To register, agents will need their ABTA number.

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Riviera Travel will operate on a new ship on Mekong river cruises in 2026. The 70-guest Victoria Mekong has 33 staterooms and two suites, all with private balconies. It also houses a restaurant, bar, infinity pool, gym, library and games room, plus a movie room and a spa. The ship will operate a new Vietnam, Cambodia and Hidden Treasures of the Mekong river cruise and tour. There are 15-night Saigon to Siem Reap upstream and 14-night Siem Reap to Saigon downstream options available. The itinerary will visit Can Tho, Long Xuyen, Tiger Island, Phu Tan and Tan Chau (all Vietnam), and Phnom Penh, Silk Island, Oudong, Koh Chen, Angkor Ban and Kampong Cham (in Cambodia). There will be a total of six departures, from January to November. Prices include flights and transfers, tours and visits, two or three nights at the Hotel Grand Saigon, Vietnam, three nights at the Sokha Angkor Resort, Siem Reap, Cambodia, seven nights onboard Victoria Mekong and complimentary soft drinks throughout the day and selected drinks with lunch and dinner while onboard. Will Sarson, product director at Riviera, said: “The Victoria Mekong is a fantastic addition to the fleet, offering a modern onboard experience from which our guests can enjoy the wonders of the Mekong River.” The Victoria Mekong launched in 2019. 

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    Riviera Travel has revealed it will operate on a new ship on the Mekong in 2026.   The 70-guest Victoria Mekong features 33 staterooms and two suites, all with private balconies. It also has a restaurant, bar, infinity pool, gym, library and games room, movie room and a spa.   The ship will operate a new Vietnam, Cambodia and Hidden Treasures of the Mekong tour and cruise, with 15-night Saigon to Siem Reap upstream and 14-night Siem Reap to Saigon downstream options available.   The itinerary will visit Can Tho, Long Xuyen, Tiger Island, Phu Tan and Tan Chau (all Vietnam), and Phnom Penh, Silk Island, Oudong, Koh Chen, Angkor Ban and Kampong Cham (all Cambodia).   A total of six departures, from January to November, are on offer. Prices start from £4599pp and include flights and transfers, tours and visits, two or three nights at the Hotel Grand Saigon, Vietnam, three nights at the Sokha Angkor Resort, Siem Reap, Cambodia, seven nights onboard Victoria Mekong and complimentary soft drinks throughout the day and selected drinks with lunch and dinner while onboard.   Will Sarson, product director at Riviera, said: “The Victoria Mekong is a fantastic addition to the fleet, offering a modern onboard experience from which our guests can enjoy the wonders of the Mekong River. Our new Vietnam, Cambodia and Hidden Treasures itinerary has been designed to showcase some of the hidden wonders of Vietnam and Cambodia, to give guests a new perspective on these fascinating destinations.”   The Victoria Mekong was launched in 2019.

Riviera Travel has revealed it will introduce another new river cruise ship to the fleet in 2026. The 178-guest Riviera Resplendence will be a sister ship to the recently announced Riviera Radiance, which launches next year. Riviera Resplendence will feature three dining venues, including a new restaurant called Mosaic. The ship’s split-level lounge and dining room will provide more guest space. Grand Balcony suites will measure 32sqm, the largest ever on a Riviera river cruise ship, with a separate lounge area and balcony with seating. Superior Suites and Double Cabins with a French balcony will also be available. Other ship amenities include a spa and wellness area, pool, bistro with an open kitchen and a boutique gift shop. As with Riviera Radiance, the ship is also designed to qualify for the Gold Standard in the Green Awards programme which sets standards in safety and environmental performance. The new ship’s itinerary information will be unveiled shortly. Riviera revealed that sales for its two ships which launch next year - Riviera Radiance and Riviera Rose - are 20% up on the rest of the fleet since they went live.

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