Riviera Travel has reported that trade sales so far this wave period are up 50% on last year.
The river cruise and escorted tour specialist attributed the growth to greater engagement with agents and its focus on strengthening its trade team.
Vicky Billing, head of trade and partnerships, said: “These results are testament to the hard work we have put in to build our trade partnerships and demonstrate what a brilliant job travel agents are doing to spread the word about Riviera.”
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Chris McCloskey will join the operator as key account manager for Scotland and Ireland on Monday, January 22, when Lloyd Morris will start as key account manager for the UK and Ireland.
River cruises have been selling particularly well through the trade, according to Riviera trading director Stuart Milan.
The top-selling itineraries have been The Blue Danube; The Douro, Porto and Salamanca; and Rhine Cruise to Switzerland.
The best-selling tour has been Classical Spain, with the new Grand Journey products also proving popular – the trips to Canada and India are in the top 10 best-sellers.
Billing said: “We know there is scope to grow even further, which is why we are focused on ensuring our trade team is set up to provide agents with whatever they need.”
As part of Riviera’s wave incentive, agents who make a booking are entered into a giveaway draw featuring prizes including all-expenses-paid escorted tours.