The Senior Director of Sales, Canada for Riverside Luxury Cruises on a career in travel, how he almost became a chef instead and which tune he’d sing at karaoke – only under a certain circumstance
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been in the travel industry?
I was born in Bulgaria, grew up in South Africa, and eventually moved to Canada, where I completed my Hospitality & Tourism education at George Brown College in Toronto. My travel career started on the agency side with Marlin Travel before I moved to the supplier side with Globus family of brands. I began as an Inside Sales Consultant supporting Western Canada and later relocated to Vancouver to become the Business Development Manager for B.C., a role I held for nearly 14 years. I loved my time with Globus. It was where I learned the business, built lifelong relationships, and grew both personally and professionally. It was also where I met my wife, Eva Montenegro. Together we’ve built a beautiful family, and that journey ultimately led me to what has been the most exciting chapter of my career so far with Riverside Luxury Cruises.
Did you always know you wanted to be in travel or did you almost pursue another career?
Not at all. After high school, before college, I moved to Banff and worked as a cook in restaurants. At the time, I was convinced I was going to become a chef. I still love cooking and spend a lot of time in the kitchen, but I’m very grateful life took me into the travel industry instead.
What should agents know about Riverside Luxury Cruises’ concept of being “floating boutique hotels”?
That we’re not a traditional river cruise experience, and that’s intentional. There are already so many outstanding river cruise brands delivering high-quality vacations. We’re not trying to replicate what already exists, nor are we trying to be a better version of it. We’re offering something different. At our core, Riverside is a luxury hotel company operating on Europe’s rivers. Our parent company, Seaside Collection, is a family-owned luxury hotel group with beautiful properties in Gran Canaria, Spain, Germany, and the Maldives. The owners brought their hotel philosophy to river cruising, and that perspective shapes everything we do.
Rather than a structured, communal environment, Riverside feels more like checking into an intimate five-star luxury hotel. Our ships are the most elegant, spacious, and thoughtfully designed vessels on Europe’s rivers, created for guests who value space, privacy, flexibility, and highly personalized service.
Guests can stay for 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 14, up to 20 nights, just as they would in a luxury hotel on land. Some choose an all-inclusive experience, while others prefer an à la carte approach. Some travel solo, others with partners, friends, or family. Every guest travels differently, and our product is designed to support that individuality through personal choice, flexibility, and genuine hospitality.
Ultimately, we’re redefining what guests and travel advisors can expect from a river cruise experience.
What itineraries are doing well for the Canadian market?
Our portfolio is concentrated on Europe’s most popular rivers – the Danube and the Rhine, which are connected by the Main River and the wider canal system linking all three. We also sail the Moselle, as well as the Rhône and Saône in the south of France. All our itineraries are performing well, but the Danube between Budapest and Passau on the Riverside Mozart continues to lead in load factors throughout the year. This is closely followed by the Rhône and Saône on the Riverside Ravel, which has seen strong momentum this year and continues to grow into 2027.
We’re also seeing excellent demand for a number of our more curated, experience-driven sailings that are very uniquely Riverside. In June, our Solstice in the Wachau with Danube Fireworks sailing celebrates the longest day of the year with a musical fireworks display, calling in Budapest, Bratislava, Dürnstein, and Vienna. In late August, our Romantic Rhine Southbound sailing brings guests into the heart of the Rhine in Flames festival, featuring spectacular fireworks, music, and onshore celebrations. In the fall, our Danube New Wine Celebration sailing highlights the grape harvest season and St. Martin’s festivities, when the new wine is officially blessed and served for the first time. And of course, our Christmas Market sailings on the Rhine and Danube continue to be some of our strongest and most consistently in-demand itineraries each year.
What’s something many people may not know about you?
Ask my wife, I’m sure she would love to share a few things, but since I’m answering…
I’m actually very introverted, which would surprise most people given my job involves a lot of speaking at events and doing presentations. But put me in a room with hundreds of people and I’m usually looking at my watch, waiting for the end to come and looking for the nearest exit.
I love, and am much more comfortable in, one-on-one conversations or small groups where I can really connect with people.
Do you believe in the role of the travel agent?
100 percent! I always have, throughout my previous experience, but especially with Riverside Luxury Cruises. Travel advisors have been at the heart of everything we do. The growth we’ve seen over the past four years, and the fact that Canada is now the second-largest market for the brand, is driven almost entirely by advisors who believe in what we do. For a new brand especially, advisors are the ultimate ambassadors. When they trust you and recommend you over others, they become an extension of the brand, and the experience starts with them.
What advice would you give to travel agents today?
I have a tremendous amount of respect for travel advisors and the work they do. Over my time in the industry, I’ve seen them navigate challenges from every direction imaginable while adapting to new technologies, shifting consumer expectations, and changing market conditions, all while continuing to grow their businesses and contribute to the strength of our industry as a whole. I admire their resilience, adaptability, and entrepreneurial spirit. If I were to offer any advice, it would simply be to continue embracing change, technology, and innovation with the same strength and agility that have long defined this community. It’s this mindset that continues to move our industry forward and elevate the experiences we deliver to clients and guests.
Are you team window or aisle? Carry-on or checked bag?
Aisle seat. Every time. And carry-on only. Years of travel have taught me that life is much easier when everything you need fits in one bag.
Do you keep track of how many countries you’ve visited? If so, what’s your number?
Like so many of us in the industry, I’ve been fortunate enough to visit a lot of countries over the years, but I’ve never kept count, so I honestly have no idea what my number is.
If you had to sing karaoke tonight, which song would you pick?
If it were tonight, it would probably be Ophelia by Taylor Swift, but only as a duet with my daughter, Charlie.
What do you do for fun when you’re not working?
I spend most of my time with my family. I travel a lot for work, so my favourite place is home. It doesn’t really matter what we’re doing – cooking together, watching movies, playing pretend, or doing absolutely nothing at all – that’s my favourite kind of time.
Do you have anything else you’d like to share that we haven’t touched on yet?
It’s been fun answering these questions and sharing a bit about myself. I’d like to use this final space to sincerely thank the travel advisor community from coast to coast for embracing Riverside Luxury Cruises since our inception four years ago. I know it’s not easy to promote and sell a new brand in such a competitive and saturated market, so thank you to everyone who’s presented us, sold us, recommended us to colleagues, or just followed along with curiosity from the sidelines.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t also thank Baxter for your support, partnership, and all the wonderful opportunities you’ve created to help bring awareness of the brand across the industry.
