A well-respected hospitality veteran, Peter Pottinga was appointed the first General Manager of InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping in June 2021 to oversee all aspects of the hotel’s pre-opening and opening phases.

A native of the Netherlands, Pottinga has over 25 years of experience in Senior Manager and General Manager positions working across the globe, from America, through Europe and Asia. 

Starting his career at the Des Indes InterContinental The Hague, Pottinga’s travels have taken him to celebrated properties such as InterContinental New Orleans and InterContinental Edinburgh The George. Pottinga is joining the InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping from his position as General Manager at the InterContinental Budapest. Pottinga has held further General Manager positions at the Harbour Grand Kowloon in Hong Kong, Crowne Plaza Landmark Hotel & Suites Shenzhen and Crowne Plaza Bratislava.

For Pottinga, his appointment with InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping marks a nostalgic return to Thailand, the country of his childhood where he graduated from the International School Bangkok. It is also a chance to help elevate Chiang Mai’s profile as one of Asia’s leading tourist destinations following its designation as a member of UNESCO Crafts and Folk-Art Creative Cities Network in 2017. Pottinga is uniquely positioned for this role as his previous hotel, the InterContinental Budapest, also provided a window to the heart of a UNESCO world heritage site.

Travel has always been a passion for Pottinga, and he looks forward to living in another vibrant and historic city. “As we work towards the opening in mid-2023, the team and I have immersed ourselves with excitement in the awe-inspiring task of unveiling InterContinental Chiang Mai Mae Ping to domestic and international travellers,” said Peter Pottinga. “By blending the region’s tantalising cuisine, the handiwork of local artisans, and northern Thai history along with the signature traits of an iconic brand like InterContinental we aim to create a guest experience that promotes cultural and artistic traditions of the Lanna people.”