Scenic Group has appointed cruise industry veteran Sture Myrmell as chief operating officer, bolstering its executive team as the company progresses through one of the most significant ship expansion periods in its 40-year history.
The appointment follows the recent arrival of Riko van Santen as chief information officer – part of Scenic’s push to embed advanced technology across the business.
Based in Scenic Group’s Zug office, Myrmell will lead global operations across the Scenic and Emerald Cruises portfolio of luxury river and ocean cruising, and land journey products. He brings senior leadership experience from Cunard, Seabourn, Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia, and later served as president of Carnival Australia and Carnival UK, chief operating officer at Journey Beyond, and most recently president of Aroya Cruises.
“Scenic Group has built an exceptional reputation for innovation, quality and delivering truly memorable travel experiences,” Myrmell said. “I am delighted to be joining the business at such an exciting time and look forward to working with our global teams to build on this strong foundation. There is a significant opportunity to further strengthen operational excellence while continuing to deliver the elevated guest experiences that define Scenic Group’s brands.”
Scenic Group founder and chairman Glen Moroney said Myrmell’s appointment represents an important step in building on the group’s continued growth from its 40 years of innovation.
“Sture is one of the most experienced and highly respected leaders in the global cruise industry,” Moroney said. “His depth of operational expertise, commercial acumen and proven ability to lead international teams will be invaluable as Scenic Group continues to expand its luxury yacht and river cruise portfolio.
“His appointment, alongside the recent addition of Riko van Santen as our new chief information officer, significantly strengthens our executive leadership team. Together, these appointments reflect our continued investment in the people, capability and innovation required to support the next stage of Scenic Group’s global growth.”
Van Santen joins Scenic Group with more than 25 years of global leadership experience in technology and digital transformation across the international hospitality sector. Formerly CIO at Kempinski Hotels, he will lead Scenic Group’s technology strategy to support business growth, digital innovation, cybersecurity and data-led decision-making.
The leadership additions come as Scenic Group advances one of the most significant capacity expansion programs in its history across its Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises & Tours brands.
The pipeline includes the recently launched Emerald Kaia luxury yacht and Emerald Astra Star-Ship, operating on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. In 2027, the group will launch Emerald Lumi on the Seine, Scenic Aura on India’s Hooghly River and the new luxury yacht Emerald Raiya. Expansion continues in 2028 with new Scenic ships on the Mekong, followed by Emerald Xara – the first Emerald Cruises ocean vessel to sail in the Asia-Pacific region – and the inaugural season of Scenic Ikon in the Mediterranean and Antarctica.
Scenic Group’s vertically integrated model – designing, building, owning and operating its own ships, supported by its shipbuilding division MKM Yachts – underpins the expansion.
