Joost Heymeijer - General Manager

Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa General Manager, Joost Heymeijer, has resigned from his position after almost nine years with the property.

Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa has been open close to five years, but Joost started with the resort in September 2005 when it was just a concept based on the Emirates-owned Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai. He was appointed to the role of project manager and tasked with building the resort from the ground up – from battling government bureaucracy and working with architects through to recruiting staff and selecting the legendary custom-made beds, and everything in between.

A self-proclaimed ‘innkeeper’, Joost has led his team by example to deliver a highly successful, exceptional luxury tourism product and will leave a long lasting legacy.

“It is with great difficulty that I am announcing my departure as General Manager of Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa. Wolgan has been, and will continue to be, a massive part of my life – a job like this where I was able to be part of the development process, have a say in the design, construction, open it and run it is unique,” said Joost Heymeijer.

“I am unbelievably proud of what we have achieved in only five years, how we have changed the luxury hospitality landscape in Australia and internationally, and proven that it is possible to combine luxury and sustainability. I will leave with a heavy heart as I have truly loved my job and what Wolgan stands for,” he concluded.

Joost Heymeijer will take up the role of Senior Vice President Inflight Catering with Emirates in Dubai, in October.

Emirates has commenced an extensive search to find a new general manager for the resort.

James Wilkinson

Editor-In-Chief, Hotel Management