2007 Hotelier Of The World Candidate: Elisabeth Gurtler, Hotel Sacher

Elisabeth Gurtler became managing director of the Hotel Sacher and Hotel Osterreichischer Hof in 1990, overseeing a staff of more than 500. The Hotel Sacher, known for its famous cake, the Sachertorte, opened in 1876.

By Staff -- HOTELS Magazine, 4/1/2007

Elisabeth Gürtler became managing director of the Hotel Sacher and Hotel Österreichischer Hof in 1990, overseeing a staff of more than 500. The Hotel Sacher, known for its famous cake,
the Sachertorte, opened in 1876. The Gürtler family bought the property in 1934. Dkfm. Gürtler has been active with the hotel and parent company, situated opposite the Viennese State Opera, since 1973, after obtaining a degree in economics.

In 1994 Gürtler became a member of the board of the Austrian Hotel Association and was named Vueve Cliquot Business Woman of the Year. In 1995 she became vice president of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. To this date, Gürtler and the Sacher have received numerous other accolades. She opened the first Café Sacher concept in Innsbruck in 1999 and a second in Graz, Austria, by 2003. The first Sacher Shop opened in Bozen, Austria, in 2004 just as the hotel in Vienna began a two-floor enlargement process, which was
completed in 2005 with a new business center and spa.

Gürtler is closely connected to modern art in her community, having been chairlady of
the Vienna Opera Ball since 1999, and has a special interest in dressage