A luxury hospitality career spanning more than three decades has led Forbes Travel Guide
CEO Filip Boyen everywhere from Bora Bora to Moscow to Peru.
Before joining Forbes Travel Guide in 2018, Boyen served as CEO of Small Luxury Hotels
of the World, where he oversaw a portfolio of more than 520 exceptional independent
hotels in 80 countries.
Prior to that post, the Belgium native spent 18 years with Orient-Express, the famed
precursor to the Belmond brand. First joining the hospitality company as general manager
of Bora Bora Lagoon Resort in Tahiti, he rose through the ranks to become executive vice
president and chief operating officer of Orient-Express. In between, his various roles
included Group Vice President Operations; Regional Vice President, Africa, Australia &
Latin America; and Managing Director, Hotels & Trains.
Boyen began his hospitality career as a commis chef and stayed in the food and beverage
side of the business for 10 years, working in Michelin-starred restaurants in Belgium,
France and England. He even did a stint under French master chef Joël Robuchon.
His extensive background in food and beverage, experience managing complex
operations—including trains and ships—and luxury hospitality expertise all harmoniously
combine at Forbes Travel Guide.
“It’s a dream job to be at Forbes Travel Guide,” the London-based Boyen said. “Quality has
always been a passion of mine. We obviously verify luxury, but we also support people
who have a passion for service. We train them and make them better.”