Sam-Erik Ruttmann

Sam-Erik is a Finnish career hotelier who has dedicated his four decade working career in the hotel industry. Between 2005 -2013 he was associated with Dusit International, Thailand and later with Langham Hospitality Group, Hong Kong in the capacity of Regional Vice President, Middle East, based in Dubai. He was appointed to these positions to form and structure the regional base in Dubai. His responsibility included hotel development for the multi brand companies, and to provide leadership in setting up the operations and sales and marketing for new hotel projects in Middle East and North Africa.

Sam-Erik is US educated with B.Sc degree from the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

He spent his initial career in his native Finland and later transcended to USA, South East Asia, North Asia, and to the Gulf countries. He held Hotel General Manager positions in the luxury and in Upper Upscale hotel segment, with Hyatt International, Inter Continental Hotels, Dusit International, Amari Hotels & Resorts, and with a individual luxury hotel in Kuwait, member of Leading Hotels of the World.

He is known to be dynamic forward thinking with entrepreneurial mindset. He has a proven track record for successfully securing hotel development deals and successful openings of hotels and hotel service apartments in Middle East, for Dusit International.

On hotel operational level worked with leaders to create brand value, drive top line revenues, and profitability to operating units.

He joined Studio Puisto Architects in 2018 initially as an Advisor and in 2020 was appointed Director of Global Hospitality Development.

He focus on understanding what triggers positive emotions in the customer, and the customer engagement by hotel associates.

His passion is to setup hotels up for success, where the customer is the centre point of our existence, where nothing is impossible.  Sam-Erik embraces  the social media to tell his unique story, and engaging, listening to his audience. Deep in his veins flows a  Can Do Spirit and deep commitment in delighting the guest.

Management Experience

• Regional Vice President (Development & Multi property hotel operations): 7 years
• Managing Director/ General Manager: 14 years
• Resident Manager/ Hotel Manager experience: 3 years
• Director of Food and Beverage: 4 years
• Director of Global Hospitality Development: Current
• Hotel Project Manager: 1 years