Franz Linser appointed to GSWS board

The Global Spa & Wellness Summit (GSWS) has appointed Franz Linser, founder and managing director of spa, health and hotel consultancy Linser Hospitality, to its board of directors. 

Linser has more than 20 years’ experience in the sports, health, spa and wellness sectors, including as a lecturer in sports science at the University of Innsbruck. 

Susie Ellis, chairman and chief executive of the GSWS, said: “Franz brings an extraordinary background in health, wellness, spa, coaching and politics – and is a real mastermind in pioneering new wellness tourism models. He will prove an invaluable asset in helping the GSWS expand its vision for, and place in, the global wellness industry going forward.”

Linser's background also includes training the Austrian national ski team, serving as a member of the European Parliament between 1996 and 1999 and setting up Austria’s largest network of wellness properties. In 2013 Linser co-founded Vayu International, which creates concepts for the medical hospitality sector. 

Commenting on this appointment, Linser said: “The GSWS is uniquely positioned to be a true thought-leader for this multi-dimensional market. Our mission is to create a progressive organisation that will be a powerful resource for the world of wellness. And I’m very grateful to be one of the architects tasked with accomplishing that.”