February 2026


Annual ‘Riv Awards’ to Include Irish Travel Trade for First Time


RIVIERA Travel has announced the return of its annual Travel Trade Awards – known as the ‘Riv Awards’ – expanding to include agents and partners across Ireland for the first time.


The 2026 ceremony will aim to shine a spotlight on top-performing travel agents, agencies and partners who have delivered strong year-on-year growth and demonstrated partnership across Riviera Travel’s river cruise and touring portfolio. The Riv Awards for 2026 will take place on Thursday 26 March at the Hotel Café Royal in London, welcoming shortlisted partners from across the travel industry. Awards will be presented across a broad range of categories, including regional store awards, top -performing national agency awards,


top-performing individual agent


awards, as well as Riviera ambassador and marketing awards. With the Riv Awards now expanding into


the Irish market, five new award categories have been introduced this year, including two Irish only dedicated awards: Riviera Explorer Champion (UK) Top Performing Agent (UK & Ireland) River Champion Award – Split into River Cruise and Touring (UK & Ireland)


Sad


Passing of Long- Serving Industry Great


Top Regional Store (Ireland) Best Up & Coming (Ireland)


The awards will recognise excellence in sales performance, year-on-year growth, and wider brand engagement. Vicky Billing, Trade and Partnerships director UK & Ireland at Riviera Travel, says: “Launching the Riv Awards for a second year is a fantastic moment for us. Having proudly won 14 awards across the UK & Ireland trade in 2025, we know just how instrumental our travel trade partners are to Riviera’s continued growth. Their commitment to delivering exceptional results deserves real recognition. We’re overjoyed and proud to be able to celebrate the outstanding achievements of those individuals and agencies who have helped Riviera deliver another fantastic year!” Amanda Docherty, Head of UK Trade Sales at Riviera Travel, added: “Last year’s Riv Awards were a huge success, and we can’t wait to do it all again this year. It was a fantastic way to celebrate the achievements of our trade partners, and after another strong year in trade, we’re excited to come together once more to recognise the commitment and collaboration our partners bring to Riviera.”


www.nitravelnews.com


Hays Travel Includes Latest Acquisitions in Newest Apprentice Drive


FOR the first time, brands Miles Morgan Travel, Travel House and Spear Travels are included, as applications open for Hays Travel’s apprenticeship programme. Last year, a total of 365 apprentices


began their careers with Hays Travel at its head office departments in Sunderland and retail branches across the UK. Now the 2026 intake at Hays Travel, Miles Morgan Travel, Travel House and Spear Travels has begun recruitment, with the scheme starting on 1 September.


Allen,


Rachael Hays


Travel’s Head of Apprenticeships, said:


“T ravel


offers a rewarding career, and our apprenticeship scheme allows people from across the UK to take their first step into the industry.


“Our apprentices work towards a nationally recognised qualification with the support of our fantastic Learning and Development team – all while getting paid at the same time. The programme is a brilliant way to begin an exciting career path with the Hays Travel group.” Jonathon Woodall-Johnston,


Hays


Travel’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “Having started my own career as an apprentice, I know how valuable this scheme is. “We were delighted to be recognised


as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer again in 2025 and I know how hard our teams work to nurture the skills of our newest colleagues. “Hays Travel is proud of its family


values, so applicants can have every confidence they will be fully supported throughout their journey.”


NI Travel News was saddened to learn of the passing of Mark Carson. Surrounded by family, Mark passed on 11th January, aged 66 years at the Marie Curie Hospice.


Starting his career in travel back in the late seventies, Mark


worked for P&O


Ferries before joining Global Holidays in 1981; he continued his career here


TRADE NEWS | 61


Princess Cruises Announces New Senior Sales Manager


SOPHIA Lief has been appointed as the new senior sales manager for Princess Cruises’ UK team.


Lief steps into the role previously held by


Yasmin Mckechnie, now sales director for Princess Cruises UK, Ireland, & EMEA. Lief has been with Carnival UK since 2023,


where she began as commercial planning manager for P&O Cruises and currently holds the position of senior commercial planning manager for Cunard. She was also the lead for Cunard’s Employee Engagement Group (EEG),


a cross-functional team


focused on improving employee experience, communication, wellbeing, and engagement. Prior to her roles at Carnival UK, Lief was responsible for global commercial planning at The Body Shop.


McKechnie,


Commenting on the appointment, Yasmin sales director for Princess


Cruises UK, Ireland, and EMEA, said: “Sophia’s commercial insight and strategic planning expertise makes her an exceptional addition to our award-winning sales team. Her experience across Carnival UK brands and her work championing employee engagement will be invaluable as we continue to grow our partnerships and deliver ambitious plans for 2026 and beyond.” Lief said: “I’m delighted to be joining Princess Cruises at such an exciting time for the brand, and I look forward to working with the team and valued travel partners. I am passionate about building strong relationships and driving meaningful commercial growth, and I am excited to contribute to the next chapter of Princess’ success.”


until 1983 before opening Castlereagh Travel with Bertie Maghie and Peter McMinn. This would last until the late nineties before his career took him to Belfast International Airport. Mark has since represented a number of airlines and tour operators across the airport, including a spell with well- known Swissport.


Mark leaves behind his wife,


Donna, children, Chris and Laura and son-in-law, Mark. Devoted G to Ryan, Sebby and Alex. Dear brother to Paul (Kathleen), (Stephanie),


Michael and Philip


(Barbara). Brother-in-law to Martin, Eamon, Kiera and the late Paul. A service was held in Ronnie Thompson’s Funeral Church, Lisburn, on Monday 19th January .


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