Joerg Wickihalder

The Grand Hyatt Muscat has appointed Joerg Wickihalder as general manager. The globetrotting hotel leader has more than three decades of hospitality experience. Having worked across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean, Wickihalder has been drawn to the Sultanate for its vibrant hospitality culture.

In his first-ever role in Oman, Wickihalder stepped into the country for "the warm hospitality of the Omani people as well as the country's stance to pursuit neutrality, ensure stability and promote peace," explained Hyatt in a statement. As GM, he handles the day-to-day operations of 278 hotel keys and eight dining outlets, with a focus on celebrating local cultures and upskilling his teams.

He began his career as a chef in his hometown in Switzerland, where he worked in several five-star hotels gaining experience across hospitality roles, from kitchen to front desk, to housekeeping and administration. Wickihalder moved to Baur au Lac, a five-star luxury property for five years. He previously completed his internship as a waiter at the property. He continued his career journey at the hotel, promoted from head waiter to F&B director, to executive assistant manager.

Wickihalder moved overseas in 2006 as General Manager of II Villaggio Restaurants & Lounges in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In 2010, Wickihalder joined the Movenpick flagship hotel at the Dead Sea in Jordan as F&B Manager, and in 2012 he moved to the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort in Trinidad & Tobago as hotel manager.

His next promotion took him to Cairo, Egypt as cluster director of food and beverage at Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers, where he was responsible for 24 dining venues. He later stepped into the role as acting general manager for the property's brand transition to Hilton.

In September 2018, Wickihalder joined Hyatt as director of operations to open the Hyatt Regency Algiers Airport, where he was promoted to hotel and acting general manager after three years.