Hans Pfister is the co-founder and president of the Cayuga Collection of Sustainable Luxury Hotels in Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. A thought leader in sustainable and regenerative tourism, Hans is adamant about leading by example when it comes to eco-friendly and conservation efforts. He is the president of Costa Rica’s Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Chamber (Canaeco), a member of the Cornell Hotel Society Hall of Fame, and serves as the Regional Vice President of the Cornell Hotel Society for Mexico, Central, and South America. He was a member of the Advisory Board of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World.
Born and raised in southern Germany, Hans began his career with the European tradition of apprenticeship at a Michelin-starred hotel restaurant in the Black Forest and went on to receive a degree from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration in Ithaca, New York.
With more than three decades of experience in hospitality in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, Hans speaks English, German, and Spanish fluently and is proficient in French. He loves to travel and the outdoors, particularly hiking and skiing, spending time with friends and family, and exploring new culinary experiences.