Riviera Travel has reinforced its close collaboration with agent partners, bringing together 17 leading travel agent representatives from across the UK for their seventh Agent Committee Meeting in London on Thursday, October 1st.
*All details correct at time of publication (14 October 2026)
The bi-annual meeting included attendees from Advantage Travel Partnership, arrangeMY escape, Designer Travel, Fred Olsen Travel, Go Cruise & Travel, Hays Travel, IGLU, InteleTravel, ROL, Silver Travel Advisor, Trailfinders, Travel Counsellors, TTNG and TUI.
The round-table forum gives agents a direct and confidential channel to share market feedback and suggest new ideas, with Riviera using their input to inform continuous enhancements to trade activity and its wider river cruise and touring strategy.
Vicky Billing, Director of Trade, Partnerships, and Loyalty UK & IRE at Riviera Travel, said:
“Our Agent Committee gives us honest, practical feedback from the people selling Riviera every day. The strong growth we are seeing through the trade underlines the value of those partnerships, but the meeting is equally important in showing us where we can do more.
“We are always listening, learning, and acting, from strengthening our river cruise communications to developing our digital tools and future product. We will continue working closely with agents to make Riviera easier to sell and to support their growth.”
Key topics discussed during the meeting included:
- Updates following the committee’s previous meeting
- Measures introduced in response to low-water conditions
- Imminent launch of new Trade loyalty programme, Riv Rewards
- New product launches for 2028
- Early preview for Peaks 2027 Campaign
Agent Comments:
Margaret McCorriston, Hays Travel, said:
“The Riviera Agent Committee is a really valuable forum because it genuinely feels like our feedback is being heard and, importantly, acted upon. At a time when the river cruise industry continues to navigate the challenges of low water, having CEO Matt Luscombe there in person sends a very strong message about Riviera’s commitment to its trade partners.
It’s clear that they want to understand the issues we’re facing on the front line, listen to what our agents are telling us, and work collaboratively on solutions. That level of engagement is hugely appreciated and is exactly what you want from a supplier partner.”
Julie Crumpton, Silver Travel Advisors, said:
“I really enjoy being part of the Riviera Trade committee. I feel my feedback is really valued in terms of improving their service to us agents and also their customer experience. I also enjoy hearing about their updates and plans for the future and building on my relationships with the lovely trade team.”
Natasha Chaplin, Fred Olsen Travel said:
“Attending the Riviera Agent Committee really highlighted how approachable the trade team are and how genuinely valued agent feedback is in shaping the business.”
Since 2023, Riviera Travel has hosted its Agent Committee Meetings twice yearly to encourage dialogue and collaboration within its travel agent network. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in Spring 2027.
Click here for more updates from Riviera Travel on Travel Pursuit UK!
