After four years of study at the Ecole Hôtelière (Hotel School) in Lausanne (Switzerland), it was quite natural that his career should be oriented toward this sector.
From 1998 to 2009, he worked with Martins Hotels, overseeing the development, management, and acquisition of hotels. His diverse expertise spans business management, hotel development, marketing, and team leadership. Known for his motivational leadership and negotiation skills, he emphasizes empathy, dialogue, and collaboration.
Since 2010, Patrick Bontinck has served as the CEO of visit.brussels, where he has led the creation of a new communications strategy for both the Brussels-Capital Region and the City of Brussels. His experience with visit.brussels and the hotels association has allowed him to familiarise himself with the finer points of politics and lobbying. He has been strongly involved in the development of new technologies throughout the various missions he had carried out in his career.
Patrick Bontinck is also Past President of Brussels Booking Desk and founder of the Brussels Hotels Association, Director of the Brussels Chamber of Commerce and President of its Tourism Commission as well as Board Member of CityDNA (City Destinations Alliance).