Forbes Travel Guide, the global authority on luxury travel, announced Thursday a plan to significantly scale the company from evaluating and verifying luxury hospitality in 60 countries to 100 countries by the end of 2019.
As part of this growth strategy, the company has made several key appointments and executive promotions.
Gerard “Jerry” Inzerillo, who has served as CEO of Forbes Travel Guide since 2014, will be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Forbes Travel Guide Board of Directors and veteran luxury hospitality leader of 30 years, Filip Boyen, will be appointed CEO of Forbes Travel Guide.
Filip was most recently the CEO of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which he joined in 2015 following decades of stewardship with Orient Express Hotels and Resorts where his last role was Chief Operation Officer at Belmond and will remain in London.
“Jerry’s leadership and vision was a driving force in the company’s successful growth during these last four years,” said Jeff Arnold, Chairman of the Forbes Travel Guide Board of Directors.
“We are delighted he will remain on the BOD and help guide our governance and strategic direction in this exciting new era of expansion. We wish him the very best in his new appointment from HRH, The Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed Bin Salman, as CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority.”
Arnold continued, “We are very excited to welcome Filip to the company as CEO with his valuable operational and revenue-growth expertise focusing on the development of new and expanded opportunities for our business. His extensive experience in luxury hospitality, commitment to guest service and proven track record as a global operator of luxury brands will help us to continue our growth while remaining true to our commitment of unbiased excellence at this dynamic time of globalization in the luxury market.”
“It is a great honor for me to join the originators of the Five-Star hospitality rating system and to have the chance to work with such an exceptional group of professionals as we expand our services to the industry and our guests globally,” said Boyen.
The company also announced that Tony Hounshell will join the company as Executive Vice President of Finance and will be responsible for the global operations of the company’s finance and accounting divisions.
Tony brings almost twenty years of senior financial services experience with leading firms including most recently, Ernst & Young. Additionally, veteran Forbes Travel Guide executives Peter Kressaty, Tom Flournoy, Amanda Frasier, Mica Hill and Marilyn Karstaedt have been promoted to Executive Vice Presidents.
Forbes Travel Guide is the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas. Started as Mobil Travel Guide in 1958, the company created the first Five-Star rating system in the United States.
Forbes Travel Guide’s incognito inspectors travel the world, evaluating properties based on up to 900 rigorous, objective standards. The company’s annual Star Ratings, reviews and daily travel stories help discerning travelers select the world’s best luxury experiences.
