Chris K. Franzen, a Swiss hotel manager with a cosmopolitan career, takes over from Thomas Goval, who is moving on to become Hotel Manager at the famous «Raffles Singapore». In mid-June, the international Ukraine peace conference will take place at the resort above Lake Lucerne, which might also be attended by US President Joe Biden.
The panorama of Lake Lucerne, viewed from the «Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne», is one of the most beautiful sights that Switzerland has to offer.
However, during the visit of finews.com, the focus is not on the house and its spectacular surroundings, but on personnel: Acting General Manager Thomas Goval, along with the new Managing Director Chris K. Franzen, has invited for a sort of handover.
From Bürgenstock to Singapore
The 34-year-old Goval, who has been working in various positions at the resort for the past six years, will be moving to the «Raffles Singapore» as Hotel Manager starting May 20. Like the «Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne,» this hotel is owned by the «Katara Hospitality» group. During a transition period, Goval will remain in an advisory function at the Bürgenstock.
For the new man at Bürgenstock, Chris Franzen, the new task is a homecoming: Having grown up in the canton of Valais, he has retained a hearty Valaisian dialect during his decades-long international hotel career, which has taken him to places like Dubai, India, and Australia.
Peace Conference as Baptism by Fire
Tall and outgoing, Franzen is a charismatic personality. In the elegant «Lakeview Bar & Cigar Lounge,» he appears like the natural embodiment of the Bürgenstock top host.
Regarding his first major challenge, hosting the Ukraine peace conference of the Swiss Confederation with his around 700 Bürgenstock employees, Franzen describes it as a «dream start» in conversation with finews.com.
The conference is expected to be attended by world leaders. According to press rumors, US President Joe Biden is considering his participation.
Familiar with Mega Events
According to Franzen, the Swiss Confederation has rented the entire resort for several days, resulting in some already booked trips of other guests being rescheduled, which those affected generally met with understanding.
Franzen is well-acquainted with international major events. During the World Cup in Qatar, he managed the «Waldorf Astoria Lusail» in Doha.
From Konrad Adenauer to Kofi Annan
Neither is the Bürgenstock a novice in world politics. Former German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, Israelis David Ben Gurion and Golda Meir, Nehru and Indira Gandhi, Henry Kissinger, and Jimmy Carter all appreciated the peace and seclusion of the place.
In January 2002, a conference under the auspices of the Swiss Confederation took place at the «Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne,» which contributed to a ceasefire in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan with the so-called «Bürgenstock Agreement.»
Two years later, Greek Cypriots and the Turkish side met at the resort under the auspices of then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to discuss the contentious issue of the island's accession to the European Union.
Business Performance «Significantly Better Than Expected»
Franzen is pleased with the business performance in the first quarter of 2024. Traditionally, the first quarter is rather weak, «but this year it was very positive, significantly better than expected.»
The new Managing Director is not ready to disclose longer-term strategic priorities yet. He emphasizes the importance of listening and gaining own experiences.
Signature Cocktail: Singapore sling
Meanwhile, Thomas Goval, born in France and perfectly fluent in German, is looking forward to his new role. «It's the kind of international dimension that benefits any career in the hotel industry.» He describes the «Raffles Singapore», also owned by «Katara Hospitality» as a magnificent hotel that he already knows from a guest's perspective. «For example, I vividly remember its signature cocktail, the ‹Singapore sling.›»
