Riviera Travel has responded to agent feedback with trade-focused enhancements across booking, support and training.
Following its fourth agent committee, the cruise and tour operator has implemented several changes according to valuable trade partner feedback.
The updates follow the brand’s fourth agent committee held in February 2025, part of a biannual conference series that continues to inform Riviera’s trade strategy.
A standout success was Riviera’s Europe 2026 launch online briefing held in April, which attracted close to 300 agents, highlighting the importance of relevant online content.
In tandem, Riviera Travel has rolled out improved Travel Concierge services that make it easier to book from regional airports plus more – a feature that agents had specifically been asking for.
The new team structure allows agents to book alternative airlines, airports and pre and post stays for Long Haul departures, which has already led to a measurable increase in bookings by 29%.
Trade partners also now benefit from a dedicated trade contact team handling only agent enquiries, streamlining communications and response times.
Riviera Travel had already committed £350,000 to enhancing its Riviera Explorer platform, after learning that this was deemed an integral part of onboarding and making training easier.
However, there has been an increased focus on those new-to-cruise through refreshed modules, easy-to-use marketing collaterals and simplified selling tools which avoid using hard-to-understand ‘cruise jargon’.
Acting directly on agent feedback, Riviera Travel has also extended its ‘Welcome Home’ offer window from two to four weeks, giving agents a longer sales window and resulting in a rise in repeat bookings by 86%.
Taking into account rising demand for solo travel, Riviera Travel also launched a new offer that foregoes solo supplements on 2025 sailings in line with agents’ requests for additional solo cabins and offers.
These changes reflect the brand’s willingness to adapt and listen to what works in practice, and, together with Riviera Travel’s attractive commission policy that includes ad-ons such as flight upgrades, highlights the cruise and tour operator’s dedication to reward agents for their continued commitment.
Vicky Billing, Head of Trade and Partnerships at Riviera Travel, commented:
“More progress will be shared at the next agent committee, which will be our fifth. These sessions are incredibly valuable, and we’re proud to see just how impactful agent feedback has been in shaping our trade strategy.
“We’re incredibly grateful for everything our agent partners do for us; that’s why making their lives easier isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a top priority at Riviera Travel. Agent success is our success.”
Agents can get in touch with the Riviera Travel team via agents@rivieratravel.co.uk, join the dedicated Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/rivieratravelagents and access the Riviera Explorer via www.rivexplorer.com.
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