Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Nai Yang Beach has announced the appointment of Gerd Kotlorz as its new general manager.

A German national and highly experienced hospitality professional, Kotlorz moves to Phuket from Bangkok, where currently holds the position of area director of sales and distribution for Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar at Marriott.

He will take over Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach from David Ippersiel, who as general manager successfully led the resort through its extensive refurbishment and opening phase in 2016.

Under his tenure, the resort was established as one of the island’s most desirable beachfront destinations and an award-winning wedding venue.

Kotlorz studied aerospace engineering at the Technical University in Berlin, but soon discovered his passion for tourism and hospitality.

He spent his formative years working in the aviation industry with major airlines including Pan Am and JAL, taking him to the US and Japan and introducing him to a career in sales and marketing.

Having moved into the hospitality industry, Kotlorz held a series of senior sales and marketing positions with leading European companies including Maritim Hotels and TUI Hotels.

He then joined IHG and spent almost a decade at major hotels in destinations across the world, including Oman, Germany, South Korea, Kenya and the UAE.

In 2013 Kotlorz joined Marriott International.