Leading local hospitality group Crown and Champa Resorts (CCR) has appointed Martin Vossen as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), as longtime chief executive David Feinberg prepares to retire at the end of this month.

Vossen, who currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of CCR, will take over the position of CEO from Feinberg on November 1.

After leading CCR for more than 16 years, Feinberg has over the past two months overseen the transition process and trained his successor.

“A succession planning process is important as it focuses on maintaining leadership continuity while driving new people and new ideas that result in positive business growth for the company,” the outgoing CEO told Hotelier Maldives.

Vossen said he was honoured to have been given the chance to lead CCR.

“This is an exciting time at Crown and Champa Resorts. I am very motivated to serve Crown and Champa Resorts in a strategic group role. We have such knowledge and potential in the group, and so we can make an enormous impact,” he was quoted as saying.

“We should continue to do what was done so fantastically in the past. On one hand, we will maintain the vision of the owners and team build up. On the other hand, we will do utmost to move forward by empowering people and using modern technologies. We will focus on becoming even more dynamic and connected to our properties.”

A Swiss national, Vossen joined CCR as its COO in August.

Having worked previously for a number of years in the Maldives in managerial positions such as the General Manager of Mirihi Island Resort from 2011 to 2013 and Resort Manager at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island from 2010-2011, Vossen is experienced in the island nation’s tourism and hospitality industry. He also provided consultancy for the refurbishment and re-opening of Mirihi Island Resort in 2014.

In addition to his appointments in the Maldives, Vossen had previously served as the Cluster General Manager of COMO Hotels and Resorts in Bhutan and as the General Manager of Hotel Atlantis by Giardino in Zürich, a position he held until his appointment as the COO of CCR.

Owned by pioneers of tourism in the Maldives, Crown and Champa Resorts owns and operates six resorts across the Maldives, including Hurawalhi Maldives, Kuredu Island Resort and Spa, Komandoo Island Resort and Spa, Meeru Island Resort and Spa, Veligandu Island Resort and Spa, and Vilamendhoo Island Resort and Spa.

The group also manages the Champa Central Hotel in capital Male, and is currently developing its seventh resort in the Maldives; Kudadoo Private Island by Hurawalhi.