Riviera Travel hails trade support after double-digit rise in revenue

Riviera Travel has reported strong mid-year results for its trade division, with UK agent bookings driving a 33% year-on-year increase in revenue.

Year-to-date data reveals passenger numbers booked through travel agents have climbed 27% compared to the same period last year, outperforming internal targets following a record-breaking peak booking period.

The operator’s river cruise division continues to be the primary driver of growth, with trade passenger numbers up 33% and revenues climbing 35% year on year.

Riviera attributed part of this cruise momentum to its expanded solo river cruise programme, bolstered by the launch of a dedicated solo vessel.

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Escorted touring also posted gains, with passenger figures increasing by 10% and overall touring revenue up 19% across both European and long-haul itineraries.

The operator noted that forward demand for late 2026 departures remains high, and credited its recently launched agent toolkits – including the Riviera Explorer platform and its Riva AI system – with helping partners convert enquiries more efficiently.

Amanda Docherty, Riviera Travel’s head of trade for the UK and Ireland, praised the frontline agent community for the strong performance.

“These results are a true reflection of the strength of our partnerships across the trade, and we’re incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from our agent community,” Docherty said.

“Our partners have fully embraced everything we’ve introduced – from enhanced tools to commercial initiatives – and their passion and expertise have been instrumental in driving this success. We remain committed to investing in our trade relationships as we move into the second half of the year.”