Speaking on Tuesday (7 June), Shaw said despite agent bookings not being at the same volumes as 2019, they are consistent with the brand’s direct bookings and are improving "every single month".
"We are happy with the trade performance and we’re happy with the support the trade continues to give us," he added. "It is so important to have a real quality product the trade can sell which will get repeat customers.
"The customer ratings from our direct customers and our trade customers is top notch, which is good for our business and our agent partners’ businesses. Trade support has been very consistent and valued as we come out of this very difficult period of two and a half years.
"The trade bookings are coming back and they’re increasing every single month and we are soon going to be very close, or at, pre-pandemic levels."
Since the start of April 2022, Riviera has sent 20,000 people away despite facing challenges around airport delays and flight cancellations.
"The customer sentiment is there," Shaw adds, claiming it is "improving every month," despite some customers remaining cautious about travel. "That positive sentiment is coming through in bookings and 2022 will be a year in which Riviera returns to profitability and that’s great to see.
"We have seen a lot of strength in the late market, more than we would expect normally, particularly for our demographic, and we have seen some good levels of early engagement in 2023, both enquiries and bookings.
"We think there are going to be some headwinds in 2023, such as cost pressures with fuel, operational costs and the situation in Ukraine which has the potential to escalate, but at the moment we believe late demand for 2023 will far outpace those headwinds."
It comes after Riviera announced plans to offer 10% off selected 2023 ocean and yacht cruise bookings made by 31 July.
A total of eight itineraries are available to book with the deal, including a 10-night Aegean Odyssey voyage in May on the Star Flyer clipper. Prices start from £2,399pp. Also included is a 13-night Mediterranean Odyssey sailing in June with prices from £3,149pp.
Six Adriatic yacht cruise itineraries, with a total of 91 departures from May to October, are also available. Prices start from £1,599pp and include itineraries such as Split, Hvar and the Delights of Dalmatia, Dubrovnik, Mostar and the Secrets of Dalmatia and Split, Rab and Undiscovered Islands of the North.
Solo departures are available on Split, Rab and Undiscovered Islands of the North, and Split, Dubrovnik and the Splendours of Dalmatia. All bookings include return flights and transfers with a choice of UK regional airports available; a programme of guided tours and visits; select meals and a tour manager.
