September 18, 2014

Sébastien Birr has been appointed as Director of Innovation and Development at The Alpina Gstaad

Updated January 26, 2015

A new position at The Alpina Gstaad, Mr. Birr will be responsible for the development of creative products, services and experiences for guests. He will also direct all public relations and marketing efforts. Created in July 2014, the Innovation, Research and Development Department, which Mr. Birr heads, is also tasked with establishing a creative environment for the staff of the award-winning luxury hotel and with challenging employees to develop innovative programs. Mr. Birr was Director of Innovation, Sustainability, Research and Development at the Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi's leading luxury property. He has held senior sales and marketing positions with several of Kempinski Hotels' luxury properties in Africa. Before joining The Alpina Gstaad, Mr. Birr was Director of Sales and Marketing at the Grand Hotel Djibloho Kempinski, the first luxury hotel to open in the future capital of Equatorial Guinea. Prior to that, he held the same position at the Djibouti Palace Kempinski, the first five-star hotel in Djibouti. He began his career with Kempinski Hotels in Africa and later worked for NetJets Europe, the largest operator of business and private jets in Europe. While with Kempinski Hotels, Mr. Birr created the Innovation Lab, the group's first research & design department. He also developed and launched the "Green Inspiration by Kempinski" program.

Sébastien Birr is an alumnus of Ecole Hôtelière Genève – Class of 2006.

Sales & Marketing Switzerland Gstaad