Riviera Travel Names Stuart Milan President of North America

Marilyn Conroy, Francis Riley Step into New Roles as Riviera Continues U.S. Expansion

 

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – (March 10, 2025) – Riviera Travel, the leader in global luxury land and cruise travel for 40 years, today announced Stuart Milan has been named president of North America. The news comes amidst Riviera’s ongoing U.S. expansion, following last week’s announcement of the company’s new flagship North America office in Fort Lauderdale. In addition to the evolution of Milan’s role, Riviera today announced Marilyn Conroy has been appointed to a new role as executive vice president of business development and Francis Riley will assist Riviera in the role of senior vice president of trade sales and partner relations.

 

The strategic reorganization of Riviera’s North American senior leadership team is symbolic of the company’s plan for accelerated growth and will bolster Riviera Travel’s U.S. footprint, ultimately driving its brand presence, solidifying relationships and driving sales. 

 

“North America represents a significant opportunity for expansion and with this team at the helm, I am confident Riviera Travel will be able to continue delivering extraordinary travel experiences while growing our market share,” said Phil Hullah, chief executive officer of Riviera Travel. “Stuart has been instrumental in driving our growth in the U.K. Moving forward in his expanded role, he will be able to leverage his deep understanding of the Riviera brand and translate the outstanding work he is doing in the U.K. into success in the U.S. market, as we collectively push to strengthen Riviera’s presence in this key region.”

 

With nearly 20 years of travel industry experience, Milan has been instrumental in Riviera’s growth over the last five years. In his newly expanded role, he will now divide his time equally between the U.K. and the U.S., with a primary focus on spearheading operational growth in the U.S. market, building customer-centric strategies, and ensuring that Riviera Travel’s brand values resonate with North American audiences, while remaining a key figure for the brand in the U.K. He will work closely with the U.K. and U.S.-based teams to execute plans for market expansion, strengthen partnerships, and continue delivering the premium travel experiences that have made Riviera Travel a preferred upscale river cruise choice in Europe.

 

Conroy, who has served as Riviera’s executive vice president of sales and marketing North America for the last seven years, has been named executive vice president of business development. Moving forward, she will play a crucial part in Riviera Travel’s growth strategy by leveraging her industry expertise and extensive connections to further expand the company’s trade presence, build brand awareness, and foster new partnerships. Conroy will work closely with senior U.S. travel executives, represent Riviera Travel at key industry events, and collaborate with the company’s marketing, PR and sales teams to develop initiatives that resonate with North American audiences.

 

An industry veteran with 25 years of dedicated experience in cruise sales leadership and industry partner relations, Riley will now oversee Riviera’s North American trade sales efforts as senior vice president of trade sales and relations. He will work with Riviera’s team of regional sales directors to drive passenger growth, increase revenue, and expand the brand’s market share. A special focus will be placed on building and strengthening Riviera’s relationships with key travel advisors, trade partners, and consortiums.

 

“It is an honor to work alongside such a terrific team, particularly as Riviera focuses on expanding our brand footprint across the U.S., which presents an exciting opportunity for us all,” said Milan. “I look forward to deepening my knowledge of the U.S. market even further and learning from our valued partners here, in order to ensure Riviera Travel is the brand of choice for luxury European river cruising.” 

 

The realignment of Riviera Travel’s leadership team comes at a pivotal time for the company, as it continues to invest in its North American expansion. Today’s announcement follows other recent milestones as part of Riviera’s U.S. growth program, including the opening of its new HQ office in Fort Lauderdale and the addition of experienced sales professionals Dana Horton, Andy Stewart, and Clark Reber to its U.S.-based team. Together, these strategic moves underscore Riviera Travel’s commitment to solidifying its presence in the U.S. market and enhancing its reputation as a leader in global luxury travel. Further expansion is anticipated in the coming months, with roles being added in Riviera’s new U.S. office, as well as in other major U.S. markets.

 

For more information, visit RivieraRiverCruises.com. Stay up-to-date on the latest news by following Riviera Travel on Facebook Facebook.com/RivieraRiverCruises, Instagram @RivieraTravelUSA, and LinkedIn.

 

About Riviera Travel

 

Riviera Travel is the UK’s largest river cruise and tour operator for more than 40 years, offering a diverse range of luxury travel experiences on land, sea and the rivers. As an ultra-premium river cruise brand, Riviera Travel offers luxurious, memorable sailings aboard its fleet of 13 custom-designed ships, which sail along Europe’s most iconic waterways including the Danube, Douro, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Rhône, Seine, and the Dutch Waterways. The company is renowned for its exceptional cruise directors and local guides, immersive itineraries and elegant fleet of ships. Riviera Travel is a leader in the solo travel market with more dedicated solo traveler departures than any other river cruise brand, and is known for its strong partnerships with travel advisors, as well as its commitment to delivering superior service at outstanding value. The fleet’s ships offer a range of amenities, such as a panoramic observation lounge, five-star dining, a spa and wellness area, and a sun deck, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere for travelers exploring Europe’s rivers and landscapes. Riviera Travel consistently earns high ratings for guest satisfaction and value, making it a top choice for discerning travelers seeking memorable river cruise adventures.