THORSTEN KIRSCHKE
Chief Operating Officer
Carlson Hotels Worldwide

Thorsten Kirschke, chief operating officer of Carlson Hotels Worldwide – The Americas, is responsible for leading the strategy, management and key functional support areas for the five brands of Carlson Hotels Worldwide in North, Central and South America. The brands include Regent Hotels & Resorts; Radisson Hotels & Resorts; Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts; Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn.

Kirschke’s top priorities include supporting Carlson’s strategy to revitalize the Radisson brand in the Americas and continue to grow the company’s portfolio of hotel brands throughout the Americas as vibrant and contemporary leaders in the industry.

Executive leadership and support teams reporting directly to Kirschke include the executive vice presidents and chief operating officers for the full-service and select-service brands, including managed hotels; Radisson brand strategy; development; purchasing and technical services.  Kirschke reports directly to Hubert Joly, Carlson president and chief executive officer and chief executive officer for Carlson Hotels Worldwide. 

Kirschke, who was born in Hannover, Germany, is a hospitality veteran with 23 years of experience.  He most recently served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for The Rezidor Hotel Group based in Brussels, Belgium. Carlson is the main shareholder of Rezidor, which is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world. 

Kirschke joined The Rezidor Hotel Group in 1995 in Corporate Food & Beverage and then held various management positions in all areas of Rezidor’s master franchise operations around the globe including Russia, China, the Middle East, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia.  Since 2002, he served as Area Vice President of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, South East Europe, Switzerland and Italy. Kirschke also has been a member of Rezidor’s Executive Committee.

Kirschke earned a Master’s degree in the Hospitality Industry from IMHI Essec University in Paris, France.