Kempinski Hotels on Thursday announced CEO Reto Wittwer has retired, effective immediately,

and Kempinski's Alejandro Bernabé is the new CEO "as part of a long-term succession plan." Bernabé is a 16-year veteran of the company most recently responsible for the company's operations and development efforts in Southeast Asia, according to the company. Bernabé earlier in his tenure served as Kempinski's general manager in Malta, Kuwait and Jordan, and of several individual properties.