He was born in Aalst, Belgium, where he attended the Royal Athenaeum High School studying Latin, modern languages and economics. Jo went on to graduate in hotel management from the COOVI - PIVIT Hotel School in Brussels. He speaks Dutch, French, German and English.

He joined Corinthia Hotels International in 2001, and until his appointment here in Hungary, he was resident manager at the chain`s five star Corinthia Towers Hotel in Prague. In the Czech Republic his main responsibilities were to direct the daily operation of the hotel, and supervise the hotel`s food and beverage operation. During the same period, he also assisted with the reopening of the refurbished Corinthia Antwerp Hotel in his homeland Belgium.

Jo, now in his early 40's, graduated in hotel management in Belgium and served his apprenticeship with several international hotel chains, including SAS and Hilton International. His appointments included those of conference and banqueting manager in Brussels, and food and beverage manager in Amsterdam. Following a stint in Dubai, where he held the position of F&B manager in a five star deluxe hotel, he travelled to Cairo, where he took on the role of executive assistant manager at the hotel Le Meridien.

Xpat Interview

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
1st January 2004 after an initial visit back in summer 1990, when I promised myself to come back; I did. Only it took 14 years….!!

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Yes. Amsterdam, Dubai, Cairo, Prague, and now Budapest.

3. What do you hope to accomplish, personally or career-wise, during your stay in Hungary?
Personally to understand the culture better of this part of the world and career-wise to drive the business.

4. What surprised you most about Hungary?
A lot. Their Mediterranean lifestyle reflected in a lot of habits, and their great talents.

5. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
Thermal culture: visit one of the Public Thermal Spas and the Wellness Brunch at the Corinthia Aquincum Hotel!

6. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Sztrapacska in Hungarian style.

7. What food from home do you miss the most?
Belgian endives.

8. What is never missing from your kitchen?
Top quality extra virgin olive oil from Tuscany.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Professional musician. I had a very short career as “cantor” when I was student…

10. What’s a job you would definitely never want?
Funeral organizer.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation and where do you hope to spend your next one?
Last vacation was in Tuscany amongst the vineyards. Next one will be a ski holiday in Austria.

12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
My favorite band was U2, I saw them live on my first pop concert I attended when I was 15!

13. What can’t you resist?
Guess…Belgian chocolates!

14. Red wine or white?
Red, of course.

15. Decaf or regular?
Real Italian Espresso Macchiato, preferably Illy.

16. Book or movie?
Book. Thrillers or culinary.

17. Morning person or night person?
Definitely night person, when off. During work: morning,…but need 2x of Question 15 to get into action!

18. Dog person or cat person?
Cat.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Buda of course. The best hotel is on this side…

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Professional: You have to change in order to remain the same, and
Private: Carpe Diem!