Celebrating 40 Years of Riviera Travel: A Journey Through Time

Riviera Travel, the esteemed escorted tour and river cruise specialist, has reached a remarkable milestone this week as it celebrates its 40th anniversary amidst the splendid backdrop of Paris. This significant occasion was marked with a special event onboard the elegant MS Jane Austen, hosting guests for two memorable cruises along the Seine, offering breathtaking views of iconic landmarks such as the majestic Eiffel Tower.

The festivities continued ashore with an excursion to the Atelier des Lumières digital art centre, adding an extra layer of cultural richness to the celebration. France holds a special place in Riviera’s heart, being the inaugural destination when the company embarked on its journey in 1984. Founder Michael Wright’s vision began with a humble coach and camping tour of southern France, laying the foundation for the remarkable journey that Riviera Travel has undertaken over the past four decades.

From its Burton-based headquarters, Riviera Travel has blossomed into a global force, offering nearly 1,000 departures annually to almost 100,000 guests, spanning 65 countries across all seven continents. A testament to its growth, the company now boasts a workforce of 256 dedicated individuals, stationed across various locations including the UK, Ireland, onboardd their ships, and within their holiday destinations.

During the anniversary event, Phil Hullah, the CEO of Riviera Travel, expressed heartfelt gratitude to guests, suppliers, and partners for their unwavering support throughout the years. He also took the opportunity to outline Riviera’s vision for the future, unveiling an array of exciting plans, milestones, and targets.

Future Plans

The future looks rosy for Riviera Travel as the following plans were revealed:

• Investing in the expansion of its river cruise fleet with the introduction of two new ships in 2025, namely Riviera Radiance and Riviera Rose, poised to navigate the picturesque waters of the Danube and Douro rivers.

• Introducing an enticing lineup of themed cruises for 2025, with gastronomy-focused voyages emerging as the top choice among travellers.

• Scaling up its solo-specific programme, with 162 exclusive departures scheduled for this year, marking a 20% increase compared to the previous year.

• Strengthening its presence in Ireland following the successful relaunch of its river cruise and escorted tour programmes.

• Advancing towards the ambitious targets outlined in its ESG strategy, including a 20% reduction in carbon emissions per customer, per night by 2028, driven by a commitment to sustainability, ethical practices, and charitable initiatives.

Milestones and Targets

Whilst acknowledging its many milestones, Riviera Travel is not resting on its laurels as it outlined a range of targets for the future, such as:

• Boasting a remarkable 28% year-on-year increase in bookings revenue for 2024, with a staggering 61% surge projected for 2025.

• Achieving near-full capacity for April and May river cruises, with soaring demand witnessed for coveted itineraries such as the Douro and Dutch Bulbfields.

• Responding to overwhelming demand by enhancing its European festive cruises for 2024 and 2025.

• Setting sights on welcoming 200,000 guests by the year 2030, underscoring Riviera’s commitment to continued growth and excellence in service.

Phil Hullah concluded his remarks by acknowledging the invaluable contributions of Riviera’s dedicated team, suppliers, and partners, whose collective efforts have propelled the company to its current standing as the largest UK-based escorted tour and river cruise operator. As Riviera Travel looks ahead to the next chapter of its journey, their unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences remains steadfast.

For further details, visit rivieratravel.co.uk or contact 01283 523431 to embark on your own unforgettable adventure with Riviera Travel.