| FACE-2-FACE: 13 Sep 18

WITH Thomas Morgan, International Sales Manager, Riviera Travel – What motivates you in your career: Paying off the mortgage; in all seriousness, I honestly believe Riviera Travel offers the best value-for-money experience in the river cruise market and seeing and hearing the fantastic comments from our agents’ customers is what makes the long hours worth it.

2. What is the key to building great relationships with agents?

We are a trade-only brand in Australia. You can be confident that your customers won’t book direct with us. We are very open and transparent and will always go out of our way to help your customers.

4. Biggest challenge facing the industry?

Specifically, for river cruises, I think there needs to be more education for customers. Many only know one or two river lines and many lines don’t promote their USPs enough which can be confusing for the customer.

5. Advice for up-and-comers?

Listen and get stuck in. There are so many people in the industry with a wealth of experience – there is always a lot to learn.

6. What was your best fam?

I sailed on the Douro last year and was a huge fan. The scenery is stunning and it’s not bad for its wines either!

7. My next cruise will be…

I’ve not sailed the Rhone yet, so that will hopefully be towards the end of the season this year.

8. Favourite cruise destination?

The Douro or the Rhine, specifically Switzerland.

9. Celebrity you’d like to cruise with?

Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes.