Riviera Travel has reported a notable increase in trade bookings for 2024, showcasing their effective strategy in enhancing agent engagement.

The travel company has experienced impressive growth numbers across various segments, indicating successful market penetration and strategic alignment.

Remarkable Increase in Bookings

Riviera Travel has announced an impressive 35% increase in trade bookings for the year 2024. This surge is attributed to a dedicated strategy aimed at enhancing engagement with travel agents. Notably, river cruises saw an increase of 51%, and solo departures witnessed a 66% rise, highlighting the success of their focused promotional efforts.

Expanding Product Offerings

To meet rising demand, Riviera Travel is introducing four new itineraries for the upcoming year. These include captivating destinations such as Imperial Cities of Morocco, Jordan & Petra, South Africa, and Southern India’s Coastal Route. With these additions, the tour operator aims to increase its worldwide offerings to 20, catering to diverse travel interests.

The strategic introduction of these itineraries underscores Riviera’s commitment to offering enriching travel experiences. By expanding their product line, they not only appeal to regular travellers but also attract a new audience seeking unique adventures.

Strengthened Partnerships and Sales Structure

The growth in bookings has been supported by enhancements in Riviera Travel’s sales team. They have welcomed four new key account managers, expanding their team to a total of seven. Additionally, roles such as national sales manager for retail and OTAs, and national sales manager for homeworkers have been newly created to better serve diverse sales channels.

To further facilitate trade, Riviera Travel has established a dedicated trade reservations team. These structural improvements demonstrate a concerted effort to streamline operations and improve service delivery across all partnerships.

Enhanced Engagement and Training Initiatives

Engagement with the trade has improved significantly thanks to a bi-annual trade engagement committee. The committee gathers feedback and insights from a broad section of agents, ensuring Riviera remains responsive to market needs. Additionally, their series of ten fam trips has been instrumental in fostering strong relationships with agents, having involved a record 100 participants.

Riviera’s commitment to education and engagement is further exemplified by the launch of the Riviera Explorer e-learning platform, which has already attracted over 1,000 users. The platform’s success highlights the operator’s dedication to empowering agents with knowledge and skills.

Technological Advancements and Efficiency

The introduction of a new internal trade app marks a significant step forward in technological integration for Riviera Travel. This app allows key account managers to monitor agent interactions effectively, reducing administrative tasks by about 50%. This technological advancement is designed to streamline workflows and enhance productivity.

Furthermore, Riviera Travel has strengthened its collaborations with The Travel Network Group and Advantage Travel Partnership. These alliances are aimed at expanding their reach and fostering more partnerships with independent agents, reinforcing their market position.

Recognition and Gratitude

Vicky Billing, head of trade and partnerships for Riviera Travel UK and Ireland, expressed immense gratitude towards their trade partners. She stated, “We are over the moon with the support we have had from our amazing trade partners this year.” Her appreciation is echoed throughout the company, reflecting a mutual respect and strong relationship with their collaborators.

The company’s dedication to its partners is evident through initiatives designed to simplify collaboration and enhance mutual success. This approach has led to a noticeable shift, with new agents regularly engaging with Riviera’s offerings.

Looking Ahead

Riviera Travel is optimistic about the upcoming peaks period, anticipating it to be particularly exciting with unprecedented opportunities for trade. Their strategy focuses on leveraging existing partnerships while cultivating new ones to maximise potential outcomes.

The proactive measures taken by Riviera Travel suggest a strong commitment to maintaining growth momentum. Their approach to embracing innovation and fostering collaboration will likely see continued success in both bookings and partner relationships.

In conclusion, Riviera Travel’s strategic initiatives and expanded offerings have resulted in significant growth in trade bookings. With a robust framework and enhanced partner relationships, the company is well-positioned to continue this upward trajectory. The combined efforts in product development, team expansion, and technological advancement underscore a bright future for Riviera Travel.