Riviera Travel has appointed Claire Hills as a key account manager.

Hills has more than 20 years’ experience in the travel industry and will manage relationships with the operator’s key partners to help grow the businesses.

She will report to Riviera Travel head of agency sales UK & Ireland Tom Morgan.

Hills was most recently business development manager at Train 2 Travel, where she delivered apprenticeship training programmes across all sectors of the travel industry.

Prior to this, she was a key account manager at Gold Medal Travel Group for almost 12 years, managing relationships with the trade and supporting new business.

Previous positions for Hills also include account management and business development jobs with Travel 2 and Contiki Holidays, respectively.

Hills said: “I’m delighted to be joining the team at Riviera and represent a quality brand that is respected with both agents and their clientele.

“I’m looking forward to growing the business as we come through the other end of the pandemic, continuing the great work the team here have done to support the trade.”

Morgan said: “Claire will bring a wealth of experience to Riviera Travel and I’m thrilled to have her join the team.

“Her appointment further demonstrates our commitment to the trade, and we’re looking forward to her continuing to grow our relationships with our travel agent partners.”

The operator recently announced that ex-Saga Travel CEO Robin Shaw will assist the team following the departure of chief commercial officer Jim Forward.

Riviera Travel returned to the water for the first time in 18 months on 20 August.

Passengers joined the operator for two Douro, Porto and Salamanca eight-day sailings, featuring excursions to a Porto vineyard and the old city of Salamanca.

Riviera Travel will now operate a series of river cruises across Europe up to early November.