He also recalled the beginnings of the company's internationalization, with a first hotel in Bali, a country from which it would "jump" to the Dominican Republic in the eighties, as the decision that marked "a before and after" in the evolution of what is now Meliá Hotels International.
SANTO DOMINGO– His career began in a modest hotel he managed to rent with a loan from his parents and the mother of his future wife. Today, he recounts how his determination and “healthy ambition” propelled him to achieve the highest goals within the international tourism industry.
“If at 21 I signed the lease agreement for my first hotel, by 36 I already had 21 hotels, most of them owned, and at 50, after the major acquisitions of hotel chains made in the eighties, I established myself as the president of the largest hotel company in Spain and the second largest in Europe.”.
The narration is by Gabriel Escarrer Juliá, founder and president of Meliá Hotels International, who yesterday received the Duarte, Sánchez and Mella Medal of Merit for his career dedicated to tourism, from the hands of the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader.
He also recalled the beginnings of the company's internationalization, with a first hotel in Bali, a country from which it would "jump" to the Dominican Republic in the eighties, as the decision that marked "a before and after" in the evolution of what is now Meliá Hotels International.
“It was, without a doubt, the most important decision we have ever made, as it radically changed our business model and allowed us to enter nothing less than the Top 20 of the world hotel industry,” he stated.
The businessman received the recognition as "one of the greatest honors" that has been dedicated to him in his entire life, one of the most important civil distinctions that the Dominican Republic has awarded since 1931 to civilian or military personalities for distinguished services.
President Abinader presented the award to Escarrer in a moving ceremony held at the National Palace. "This recognition gives us the opportunity to show new generations the merits, successes, and sacrifices of those whose work has helped shape our present; a work that will also inspire our future," the president said as he bestowed the distinction upon the Spanish businessman.
Escarrer expressed his gratitude for the honor bestowed upon him by a country he declared he deeply loved. He shared the moment with family members, colleagues, and collaborators from his company in the country, as well as with a large representation of Dominican civil society and the tourism sector, who have supported him throughout his more than 30 years in the country.
