The “Riviera Explorer” platform has been designed for both experienced sellers and those new to selling Riviera, featuring brand updates, bite-sized training modules and selling kits.

There are regular knowledge checks to ensure agents are up to speed and “enjoying” the learning experience, said Vicky Billing, head of trade and partnerships at Riviera Travel. 

In addition, the learning experience includes “scenario-style” questions which outline experiences agents may encounter or questions they may get asked by customers. Riviera Explorer can be accessed via rivexplorer.com.

Rivera said it would offer “a comprehensive, seamless training experience”.

Ocean cruise lines have traditionally invested in e-learning platforms to help agents understand their products and put themselves front and centre of people’s minds.

Billing, who spent more than nine years at Royal Caribbean International and MSC Cruises, told TTG Riviera had never had an e-learning platform, and said she strongly believed the company would benefit from having one.

"This is one of the gaps that I identified when I joined Riviera in December last year," said Billing. "I came from an ocean cruise background where e-learning is critical.

"This is going to be a game-changer for us in the build-up to peaks. Riviera is forever evolving, which is so exciting. We expect to have a strong peaks off the back of this.”

Billing believes the programme will take agents between four to five hours to complete and revealed the first opportunity agents will have to give in-person feedback will be at the operator’s next trade engagement meeting in February 2025.

“The key thing about Riviera Explorer is we really looked at this through the eyes of a travel agent,” Billing explained. “It’s a mix of modules and videos and it’s about how to sell more river cruises and tours.

“We’re always trying to widen trade distribution but we also want to support the people that are supporting us already. Launching this e-learning platform is all part of our big trade push. We’re looking for another 30% trade sales growth following this launch."

Billing added the next phase for Riviera Explorer was building the “Riviera Toolkit” into the platform so agents could find social media assets and complete training in one place.

She hopes the toolkit will be housed in the platform “early next year”. “We do have assets in our trade portal but I want everything in one place,” Billing added. 

Agents who complete every training module by 31 December 2024 will be in with a chance of winning a place on a Sri Lanka escorted touring fam trip departing in 2025 or a Blue Danube cruise fam trip on the soon-to-launch Riviera Radiance next year.

Riviera Travel recently announced it is adding Victoria Mekong to its Mekong-based fleet. The vessel will operate six departures between January and November 2026 on behalf of the river cruise and escorted touring specialist.