Riviera aims to double river fleet in five years
Ella Sagar
Riviera Travel chief executive Matt Luscombe has outlined ambitions to “double” the company’s river cruise fleet over the next five years, despite record low water levels affecting operations on the Rhine and Danube this summer. The business currently operates 13 ships in Europe, alongside a range of river and ocean charters, with three more river ships on order – two for Europe due for delivery in 2027 and 2028 and one for the Mekong in 2027. Luscombe said: “We are
continuing to launch new ships on the Rhine, Danube, Seine and Douro and we have a lot of ships under construction. We could well double our fleet of ships over the next five years because demand is so strong.” He said he was “proud” that next
year George Eliot would become the brand’s first ship exclusively for solo travellers and that Riviera Alba would launch as the line’s first owned and operated ship on the Mekong. He also noted he was trying to secure Riviera’s first dedicated ship on the Nile where there is “great demand”. Luscombe added the operator
is “still having a record year” and demand for future seasons has not been dented by the low water crisis
Matt Luscombe
Travelpack to help niche cruise lines launch in the UK
Travelpack is aiming to get “ahead of the curve” in expedition and river cruising by acting as a UK trade platform for niche operators, according to head of cruise Emma Sanger-Horwell. The operator works with more
than 100 cruise suppliers, including smaller lines looking to establish a UK presence. Sanger-Horwell said: “I would like to think we are ahead of the curve with expedition so that by the time everybody else jumps in, we’re already established.” The focus follows a personal
on two of Europe’s busiest waterways. “The future is really positive and
despite everything that has happened this year, our revenues are still up year on year,” he said. “This is still a record year for us, and we’ve been sailing on all of the other rivers without any disruption.” Luscombe said bookings for
this year’s festive river cruises were “looking really strong” and river cruise overall was “up hugely for next year” and “massively growing”. He noted land tour and long-haul
bookings were also up for next year despite fallout from the Gulf conflict,
Virgin Atlantic named official airline for GB Olympics teams
Virgin Atlantic has been named official airline partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB for the 2028 games in Los Angeles, ending British Airways’ near 20-year run. Virgin Atlantic Holidays becomes the official holiday partner and will launch itineraries in 2027. The airline will develop an accessible travel programme with ParalympicsGB and offer tailored support for athletes.
8 10 SEPTEMBER 2026
while 2028 sales had “not slowed” during the period of low water levels. Luscombe acknowledged the
business had “taken some really tough commercial decisions” this year by cancelling cruises and taking sailings off sale, but insisted they were “the right thing for our guests”. He thanked agents for their
support, adding: “This crisis is unusual and it won’t happen every year, but it is something that is, unfortunately, going to happen once in a while. We’ve learnt a huge amount about how to forecast water levels and operate cruises in a different way.”
Ashdown Travel opens fifth shop and hints at sixth agency
Ashdown Travel has opened a fifth branch, in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, following a three-week refurbishment of the former Ultimate Destinations store, acquired in May. Head of retail Tricia Lester said the team, led by branch manager Andy Carr, had “hit the ground running”, and hinted at a possible sixth shop.
milestone after Sanger-Horwell picked up the Clia Cruise Master honour at the Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards in July, capping a 38-year career that began as a 16-year-old apprentice in Cardiff. Her passion for cruise was sparked aboard the QE2 on her first sailing. She has since clocked up roughly 400 nights at sea. Looking ahead, she said her
focus remains on mentoring talent and driving business growth. “I’ve always wanted to inspire people, and if I’ve done that, that is the biggest accolade I could ever have,”
she said. O Travelpack has also appointed Sarah Gill and Eleanor Eccles as business development managers, covering Scotland, the northeast and Yorkshire; and the northwest and Wales respectively.
Co-op Travel rebrands as
TravelCoop in line with OurCoop Co-op Travel is being rebranded as TravelCoop, aligning the business with the OurCoop family following the merger of Midcounties, Central England and Chelmsford Star co-operatives. The change spans branches and online, with no impact on Co-op Holidays, Personal Travel Agents or consortium partners. Members get a £50 holiday bonus on qualifying bookings.
travelweekly.co.uk
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