Dnata UK ‘excited’ for next chapter
Ella Sagar Future of Travel Conference, London
Dnata Travel Group’s UK chief executive said her team is “very excited” at the prospect of exploring new ownership options, adding “we are the proponents of this”. Speaking at Travel Weekly’s Future
of Travel Conference, Lesley Rollo said she and the UK board had known “for some time” about the plans to review the brands and had focused on ensuring “everybody feels secure and well informed”. Earlier this month, Dubai-based
parent company dnata Travel Group, which is part of Emirates Group, confirmed it was “exploring strategic options” for UK leisure
brands Gold Medal, Netflights, Travelbag and Travel Republic. Consulting firm AlixPartners
has been hired to oversee the process, with reports suggesting a sale is the likeliest outcome. Rollo said: “This is certainly not
something that has been done to us. We are very much the proponents of this, and we are very excited for what the future might hold. “We are all keen to explore
new options for ourselves.” Rollo praised the “great
ownership” of the Emirates Group, but added there could be “some constraints” from being part of such a large organisation. She said: “We are a group of individuals who want to make
Riviera to dedicate ship to solo cruisers in ‘industry first’
Ella Sagar
Riviera Travel has claimed to be the first operator to dedicate an entire ship to solo travellers for a full season, following “massive” growth in bookings and revenue from the market. The 140-passenger George Eliot
will offer weekly solo-exclusive river sailings on the Rhine, Danube and Moselle between June and November 2027. Director of trade and partnerships
Vicky Billing said having a ship dedicated to solo travellers was an “industry-first for the entire cruise sector, not just river”.
6 18 SEPTEMBER 2025 “We are the market leader when it
comes to solo river cruises, and this cements us as that,” she added. Billing reported significant
growth in solo bookings since 2017, with solo travellers now making up 13% of Riviera’s UK business. Solo bookings through the
trade are up 66% year on year, with overall revenue from the market increasing 52% year on year. All cabins will remain double
occupancy with one passenger in each, which Billing described as “a big selling point”. The ship will also offer two
14-night itineraries, which Riviera Travel claims will be the longest
things happen quickly, but sometimes when you work for a group as big as that, we have felt some constraints over the years.” She added that “everybody is excited” about the next chapter.
Lesley Rollo
Rollo acknowledged the process
“might take a while” given the current market, but said Emirates had been “extremely supportive”, adding: “If it takes time, it takes time.” She said the operator had not
received as many questions from trade partners as anticipated after the news became public, while noting some members of staff had worked for their respective brands for more than 30 years under different owners. “Everyone is quite calm about
it. It is business as usual,” she said. Dnata Travel Group UK employs
more than 800 people across its headquarters in Leyland, Lancashire, and offices in London, Chester and Halifax, according to an Institute of Travel & Tourism company profile.
Riviera’s George Eliot; inset, Vicky Billing
solo river cruises ever offered. Prices for the 14-night cruises
lead in at £5,599, while seven-night sailings start from £2,499. Billing said feedback played a
“crucial” role in the move, with 64% of previous solo customers preferring a solo-exclusive cruise, and trade partners requesting more solo options. She plans to invite “key travel
agents” who sell solo holidays on board to see how Riviera is “an expert in this field”. Agents praised the move, calling
it “game-changing” and “bold”. Caroline Stobo, product and
commercial director at Barrhead Travel, said she expected the
concept to “go down very well with our customers”. Stobo added: “It’s clear that
Riviera has been listening carefully to feedback and demand. “Introducing a dedicated ship
for independent solo travellers is bold and signals its commitment to the market. We’re excited about supporting future sales for the ship.” Lewis Johnston, head of river
cruise at the Travel Village Group, said it was “a real game-changer”, adding: “With solo travel surging in popularity and single supplements often being a hurdle, this move gives
Riviera a clear edge in the market.” i Riviera long-haul range, page 16
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURE: Alex Maguire Photography
Charlotte Cumming
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