Tuomas Laakso
Director International Hotel Development – Europe, Marriott International & The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Zurich, Switzerland, Graduated 1997, César Ritz
While I was working as Director of Operations and Hotel Manager of the Nine Zero Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, this very successful 190-room luxury boutique hotel (Destination Hotels & Resorts) was in the process of being sold. The selling process opened my eyes to the investment side of the hospitality industry and this really caught my interest.Since the hotel was being sold, I took the opportunity to further educate myself on the business side of things. Then, I decided that I needed to complement the investment and financial theory I had learnt with some practical experience. I therefore joined HVS, a specialized hospitality consulting firm in London where I conducted economic feasibility studies, valuations, return on investment analyses, and other advisory and asset management work for hotels and mixed use developments on behalf of hotel operators, owners, developers and investment banks in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
After two and a half years in London, I was presented with an opportunity to join Marriott International’s European development team in Zurich. My current role entails helping the company find new hotels to join the various chains within Marriott’s European portfolio of brands.
I look back fondly at my experiences at César Ritz Colleges and congratulate the school for their alumni efforts. I am able to follow and stay in touch with former classmates and other alumni. There is a true feeling of belonging.
