2007 Hotelier Of The World Candidate: Reto Wittwer, Kempinski

Reto Wittwer has been the top executive at the Kempinski hotel group since 1995 and over the past 30 years has gathered extensive global hotel experience.

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

Reto Wittwer has been the top executive at the Kempinski hotel group since 1995 and over the past 30 years has gathered extensive global hotel experience, including a stint as president and CEO of CIGA S.p.A., and Swissair Nestlé Swissôtel Ltd.

After graduating from the hotel school in Lausanne, Switzerland, Wittwer began his career at the Palace Hotel in Madrid and then spent six years with InterContinental Hotels in Paris, Frankfurt, Geneva and Tehran. In 1976, he was appointed F&B director of the Mandarin Singapore International, and two years later moved to the Peninsula Hong Kong as resident manager. In 1979 he joined Hyatt International and worked as a general manager in Canada, Mexico and Indonesia.

In 1982, Wittwer returned to Paris as GM of the Le Méridien Montparnasse. Five years later he was appointed vice president of Asia for Swissôtel and ultimately rose to president and CEO. In 1992, Wittwer joined CIGA. Wittwer has received many accolades, including the “Freedom of the City of Paris” award and the title “Knight of Honor of France.”

At Kempinski, Wittwer is committed to luxury hospitality and superior service standards.
He aims to expand the brand’s European heritage and position each hotel to be the market leader, as well as strongly individual both in product and management