Hilton has announced the appointment of Ryan Gauci as General Manager of Hilton Vienna Park and Area General Manager for Austria, Czech Republic and Croatia, effective 1st January 2026.

Mr Gauci succeeds Norbert B. Lessing, who retired at the end of December 2025 after an accomplished tenure leading Hilton’s operations across the region. As part of the leadership changes in Vienna, Christoph Glaser has moved to Hilton Vienna Plaza as General Manager, and Rogier Stolk transitioned to Hilton Vienna Park as Hotel Manager. Michael Collini and Thorsten Faasch will continue to serve as Hilton’s development leads in Austria.

Erwin Verhoog, vice president, operations, Continental Europe, Hilton said: “Ryan brings a strong track record of driving performance, innovation and culture across our hotels in the region, and I am confident he will partner closely with our teams in Austria, the Czech Republic and Croatia to deliver exceptional guest experiences and sustainable growth.”

Building on more than 18 years with Hilton, Mr Gauci brings extensive experience across Central and South Eastern Europe. Since 2024, he has served as General Manager of Hilton Prague, following his role as General Manager at Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa in 2021.

Earlier positions include Hotel Manager at Hilton Prague in 2018 and Director of Operations at Hilton Warsaw Hotel and Convention Centre, after holding the same position at Hilton Liverpool in 2014. Gauci began his Hilton career in 2007 in sales at Hilton Isle of Man, later holding operational roles at Hilton Isle of Man, Hilton Bradford and Hilton York.

Mr Lessing joined Hilton in 1981, starting in an area role for IT before moving into finance and senior management. Since becoming General Manager for Austria in 2007, he has led major revitalisation and the strategic repositioning of Hilton’s Austrian managed hotels portfolio, championed sustainability and social engagement through partnerships with the Sterntalerhof and The Hunger Project, and strengthened ties with local culture, food and wine communities. In 2021, the company entrusted him with responsibility for the Czech Republic-, and a year later for Croatia.