Since 1st January 2007 he's been the Director of Business Development at the Hilton Budapest WestEnd. Prior to that he was the Director of Sales at the Hilton Frankfurt, where he also worked as the Director of Convention & Events Sales.
Born on May 29th 1976, his mother tongue is Dutch, says his 2nd mother tongue is German, and he is fluent in English too. Between 1994 - 1998 he attended the Hotel Management School Leeuwarden, Christelijke Hogeschool Noord Nederland in The Netherlands, where he earned his Bachelor degree.
Marc is a member of the local AMCHAM, SKAL, and Dutch Chamber. He also enjoys reading, theatre, cinema & concerts, weekend city breaks, various sports including soccer and boxing, plus cooking, and quality time with friends.
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived on January 1st 2007 after being asked by Bettina Schuett (General Manager) to take over the position of Director of Business Development at the Hilton Budapest WestEnd. I immediately said yes, without ever being in Budapest, but when I first landed here, it felt right straight away.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Before Budapest, I lived in Frankfurt, where I also worked for Hilton. It didn't feel as an "Expat" since German is my second mother tongue and my social life was very "local".
Here the language is more of a barrier, but I have met a few really nice locals already and also enjoy the connection to the international community.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
That people block the escalator in the metro. Anywhere else in the world, people stand either on the right or left side to allow for the "always 5min. late people" (like myself) to run up the escalator. Now I got used to it and actually like it, since there is this relaxed attitude behind it.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
The Jewish quarter and the is my favorite area, so I drag all my friends there. Breakfast at "Callas" and Dinner at "MO" are a must as well and a night-cap at "Ellátó".
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
"Gesztenye Püre" and "Eszterhazy" cake.
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Actimel, Gin and Tonic
7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
"Puszi" since this is the only country, where you can legally say that.
8. What do you miss the most from home?
HEMA - only the Dutch will understand this
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
hhmm, maybe Celine Dions', but I do not have her voice (thank god)
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
I have never really thought of this, since I am blessed to be able to do what I love to do.
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
On the Algarve, in the new Hilton Vilamoura Resort
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Just give me a beach, good food and nice weather, and I am happy anywhere
13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I still feel a teen sometimes :-) U2 and The Godfather Part 1-3
14. What can't you resist?
White Chocolate Mousse
15. Red wine or white?
RED wine
16. Book or movie?
First the book, then the movie
17. Morning person or night person?
Night person
18. Dog person or cat person?
Definitely Dog
19. Buda side or Pest side?
PEST
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Don't waste time looking for the obstacle, there might not be one