Ronald Kooistra Named General Manager for ACOYA Curaçao in Willemstad, Curaçao
WILLEMSTAD, CU. July 6, 2016 - A highly experienced hospitality professional, Ronald Kooistra, has taken the helm of ACOYA Hotel Suites and Villas, a member of the Ascend Hotel Collection, in Willemstad, Curaçao.
In addition to having served as CEO of the Papagayo group in Curaçao, Kooistra, a Dutch national, also has an impressive pedigree of service in hospitality in the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
With extensive hospitality management and entrepreneurship education at Hotelschool in Groningen, Netherlands, Kooistra moved on to food service management and restaurant development at Cornell University in New York, a leading hospitality institution in the United States.
He moved to France to continue his studies with the International Hotel Management high potential program at the ESSEC Business School in Paris. Part of his specialty involved the study of the heightened efficiency gains made by switching hotels to LED lighting.
Kooistra served as Manager of Commercial Affairs, Hospitality and Events for PSV NV, a leading football club in The Netherlands, where he enhanced the professional hospitality approaches throughout the organization.
After training at Sode Hotel in Brussels, Belgium, he moved to Euro Disney in Paris to continue working in the hotel sector. This experience was followed by a food and beverage position at the Carlton Beach Hotel in The Hague and a banquet sales position at the Carlton Square hotel in Haarlem, both in The Netherlands.
"Ronald brings a thoughtful blend of experience and professionalism to this position and we have already seen the fruits of his leadership since he joined us," said Mahesh Daswani, Founder of the Dutch Caribbean hotel.
Kooistra, whose hobbies include diving, cooking, golf, reading, fitness, and eating out, feels very much at home in Curaçao, which features captivating beaches and a diverse culinary heritage spanning Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese mixed with Caribbean and Creole influences. The island also offers world-class diving and snorkeling sites favored by divers and adventure travelers from around the globe.
Kooistra's executive team includes Henry Martijn, Sales Manager; Sudri-Anne Elizabeth, Event Coordinator; Yolanda Nunez, Human Resource Manager; and Najat Karraz, Guest Relations Manager.
About ACOYA Hotel Suites & Villas
ACOYA Hotel Suites & Villas, a member of the Ascend Hotel Collection by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), is an upscale hotel with modern guest rooms, spacious villas, and luxuriously outfitted suites on property. ACOYA is near some of the most beautiful beaches and exciting tourist attractions in Curaçao. The spacious and comfortable guest rooms, villas and suites are tranquil, family-friendly and lush tropical retreats with a wide array of resort amenities and services, all in an atmosphere of gracious hospitality. For further information, visit www.acoyacuracao.com or www.choicecaribbean.com.
About Ascend Hotel Collection®
The best travel experiences can't be found in a guidebook. That's why the one-of-a-kind, upscale properties in the Ascend Hotel Collection® membership program let you focus on your destination in a whole new way. Each Ascend® hotel is a unique reflection of its local community, with staff committed to sharing their insider knowledge of the places, moments and experiences that makes each destination special. You'll discover hidden treasures off the beaten path, and find the true local flavor you crave.
About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the world's largest lodging companies. With more than 6,400 hotels franchised in more than 35 countries and territories, Choice Hotels International® represents more than 500,000 rooms around the globe. As of December 31, 2015, 720 hotels were in our development pipeline. Our company's Ascend Hotel Collection®, Cambria® hotels & suites, Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Sleep Inn®, Quality®, Clarion®, MainStay Suites®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, Econo Lodge®, Rodeway Inn®, and Vacation Rentals by Choice Hotels™ brands provide a spectrum of lodging choices to meet guests' needs. With more than 25 million members and counting, our Choice Privileges® rewards program enhances every trip a guest takes, with benefits ranging from instant, every day rewards to exceptional experiences, starting right when they join. All hotels and vacation rentals are independently owned and operated. Visit us at www.choicehotels.com for more information.
Contact:
Greta Andzenge
[email protected]
201 861-2056
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
