Biography
CHRIS K. FRANZEN Managing Director, Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne
Chris K. Franzen, an accomplished international hotelier, was appointed Managing Director of the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne on 1st April 2024. Shortly after stepping into his new role, Franzen played a crucial role in organizing the historic Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held at the resort in June 2024. This landmark diplomatic event, the largest in Switzerland’s history, brought together 1,000 international VIPs, including 57 heads of state and delegations from over 100 countries. Franzen’s leadership during the summit was instrumental in ensuring its success, despite the immense logistical challenges and short lead time for planning. Originally from Zermatt, Switzerland, Franzen is a third-generation hotelier whose career began with culinary training, followed by further education at the Australian International Hotel School in Canberra and the prestigious Cornell University. His career took off when he joined Hyatt in 1999, where he spent 23 years working in various high-profile roles across the Gulf States and India. He held positions such as General Manager at the Grand Hyatt Muscat, Area Vice President for Qatar and Oman, and later for Western India, handling Hyatt’s largest portfolio outside the US.
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