Riviera Travel awarded 17 accolades to winners in its first ever Riv Awards.
The Riv Awards 2025 took place at The Lookout in central London on 10 April, with nominees shortlisted across three categories: Regional, National and Special Recognition Awards.
TV presenter and journalist Dean Wilson hosted the event, while Riviera Travel Chief Commercial Officer Robin Shaw thanked trade partners for helping boost sales by 47% in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Winners in the Regional and National Award categories were chosen based on year-on-year revenue growth and sales volume, while the Special Recognition Awards were chosen by evaluating brand engagement and marketing initiatives as well as delivering strong volume and growth.
Head of Trade & Partnerships Vicky Billing said: “If I could give every single person in the trade an award, I would. The support and growth we’ve seen – across both river cruising and touring – has been nothing short of phenomenal, but it’s the people behind it all who make the real difference.
Pictured, from left: Dean Wilson, Alistair Gill of AG River Cruises and Vicky Billing
The regional winners were:
Regional Stores
Northern Ireland: Oasis Travel, Lisburn
Scotland: Barrhead Travel, Edinburgh The Gyle
North East & Cumbria: Gates Travel, Kendal
Yorkshire and the Humber: Andrew Earle Travel, Brough
North West: Henbury Travel
Midlands: Regents Travel
South East: AG River Cruises
South West: Cartwright Travel
East of England: Premier Travel St Ives
HW (home worker) Individual: Joanne Saunders, Mid Counties PTA
AG River Cruises co-founder Alistair Gill said: “I’ve been in the business for a long time and I really value the Riviera Travel brand.
“I think it’s important to get to know the people you are working with, and they are still, in my eyes, a great family business that hasn’t changed. They have a fantastic team and do a superb job in supporting the agency network and I’m very proud to be working with them.”
Pictured, from left: Dean Wilson, Joanne Saunders (Mid Counties PTA) and Vicky Billing
The national winners were:
National Accounts
Best Up & Coming Trade Partner: CRUI.SE
Top overall account Retail: Hays Travel
Top overall account OTA: Rivercruising.co.uk
Top overall account HW: Travel Counsellors
Kelly Green, on behalf of Hays Travel, said: “I’m absolutely delighted. Whenever you win an award, it’s all about the people and we couldn’t have done it without all of us at Hays Travel, our members, and distribution channels.
“River cruises have been a huge focus for our business in 2023 and 2024 – and, of course, going forward – and we couldn’t do it without the partnership with Riviera Travel.”
Pictured: Christina Astill, Winner of Special Recognition Award
Other winners were:
Other
Top Overall Engagement/Marketing Account; Miles Morgan Travel/Fred Olsen Travel (two separate awards)
Riviera Ambassador: Christina Astill
Main picture: Vicky Billing
