Kurt Wachtveitl to Retire as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Bangkok in May

One of the most well known and highly respected hotel General Managers in Asia, Mr. Kurt Wachtveitl, is to retire after 41 years as General Manager of the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok effective 31 May 2009.

During his long and illustrious career, Mr Wachtveitl has been instrumental in positioning Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, formerly known as The Oriental, Bangkok, as one of the world’s best luxury hotels, which has regularly attracted accolades and awards from respected travel associations and publications worldwide.

Mr Wachtveitl has also received recognition as one of the world’s best General Managers, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Hotel Investment Conference (HICAP) in 2006 and more recently, the 2008 Independent Hotelier of the World award from Hotels Magazine, USA.

“Throughout his career, Kurt Wachtveitl has been a pioneer in the hotel industry embracing new and exciting ideas that have kept this famous Bangkok property at the forefront of luxury hospitality throughout the world. On behalf of my fellow board members, we wish Kurt well in his retirement and thank him for his extraordinary contribution over the past 40 years,” said Khun Nijaporn Charanachitta, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of OHTL Public Company Limited.

Mr Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, added, “For four decades, Khun Kurt, as he is affectionately known in Thailand, has been an integral part of the success of this legendary hotel and has played a significant role in the global recognition of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. He has shown tireless commitment and devotion to his guests and his colleagues, providing the best example of gracious hospitality in the global hotel industry. All of us at Mandarin Oriental salute this incredible lifetime achievement.”

Kurt Wachtveitl will be succeeded by Jan Goessing, a long term hotel industry veteran who has spent the past 14 years with Mandarin Oriental in senior management positions throughout Asia and The Americas, including the group’s flagship hotel in Hong Kong.

From 1998 to 2006, Mr Goessing was General Manager of the group’s former property in Hawaii, Kahala Mandarin Oriental, during which time it became well established as one of the best urban resorts in the region, winning many important international accolades and awards.

Since early 2006, he has been General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC and has been instrumental in positioning the property as one of the city’s most luxurious hotels.

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