NEWS SPECIAL REPORT
Riviera reveals goals R
Operator hails growing trade sales as it christens Radiance. Ella Sagar reports from Budapest Chief executive Phil Hullah said
iviera Travel has revealed that the trade is its fastest- growing sales channel, as it confirmed an order for
two more new-build ships, to be delivered in 2027 and 2028. Speaking to more than 40 agents from the UK and Ireland as the
company christened its newest ship, Riviera Radiance, the leadership team affirmed their commitment to the trade and highlighted a “real opportunity” for agents to grow their businesses together. Chief operating officer Robin
Shaw revealed that trade sales grew from 18% of total revenues in 2022 to 30% in 2025. “These numbers are magnificent
and mean that with our growing business, trade revenues have gone up by over 200%, which is an amazing performance,” he said. “We do not see that stopping and
the trade continues to be the fastest- growing channel for 2026 bookings.” But Shaw said the company would
not rest on its laurels, adding: “We want to double [our trade business] again in the next couple of years and double again after that.”
16 4 DECEMBER 2025
the business had gone from “strength to strength” since Covid, pointing to “a record year by a long margin” in 2024, with 2025 revenue on track to be 20% ahead. He added that 2026 was already “selling well”, with the company set to record “strong double-digit growth” on 2025. Hullah outlined four areas of
focus for the future: maintaining the river cruise line’s “UK market leader position”; becoming a UK market leader for long-haul touring by 2030; growing non-UK source markets,
We are expecting
the biggest and boldest trade peaks that we’ve ever had to continue the success
particularly Ireland and North America; and investing in “long-term and sustainable” trade partnerships. The company’s main aim is to
be the number-one specialist tour operator and river cruise line for
consumers aged 60-plus, he added. Vicky Billing, director of UK
and Ireland trade partnerships, said the operator wanted to be “ahead of the pack” in how it supported the trade, with a Riviera Rewards section launching on its Riviera Explorer platform, a second version of the Riva AI assistant “in the works” and plans for more long-haul touring fam trips. Looking ahead to turn-of-year sales,
she said: “We’re expecting to have the biggest and boldest trade peaks we’ve ever had to continue that success.”
AGENTS’ REVIEWS OF RIVIERA RADIANCE
Richard Slater, managing director, Henbury Travel “Yet again, Riviera Travel has brought to the market
an exceptional ship with accommodation to suit all budgets – we already have bookings. Riviera Travel listens to and supports agents, as showcased most recently with its regional flight programme for long-haul touring.”
Zoe Franklin, sales manager, Travel Club Elite “Riviera Radiance is a step up from the other ships in
terms of quality and decor but retains its high level of comfort. The standard of food is outstanding and could rival any five-star cruise line. The service levels from the staff are also fantastic and make the voyage difficult to beat.”
Steve Cox, director, Premier Travel “The food has been of the highest standard and
the service has been impeccable, but the one thing that stands out is how much space there is. The split-level lounge area is amazing, light and airy. It feels bigger than it is and is a ground-breaking addition to the ship.”
travelweekly.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
