Filip Boyen

Filip Boyen serves as Global Ambassador for Forbes Travel Guide, sharing his in-depth understanding of the company’s mission across his global network. Boyen previously acted as Forbes Travel Guide's CEO from 2018 to 2022 after a luxury hospitality career spanning over three decades, bringing him everywhere from Bora Bora to Moscow to Peru.

Before joining Forbes Travel Guide, Boyen served as CEO of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, overseeing a portfolio of more than 520 exceptional independent hotels in 80 countries.

Prior to that post, the Belgium native spent 18 years with Orient-Express, the famed precursor to the Belmond brand. Joining the hospitality company as general manager of Bora Bora Lagoon Resort in Tahiti, he rose to become executive vice president and chief operating officer of Orient-Express. In between, various roles included Group Vice President Operations; Regional Vice President, Africa, Australia & Latin America; and Managing Director, Hotels & Trains.

Boyen began his hospitality career as a commis chef and stayed in the food and beverage side of the business for 10 years, working in Michelin-starred restaurants in Belgium, France and England. He even did a stint under French master chef Joël Robuchon.