Hyatt appoints Maria Zarraluqui as SVP, Inclusive Collection growth, owner relations

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced that Maria Zarraluqui has been appointed SVP, Global Hyatt Inclusive Collection growth and owner relations. 

The newly created role is effective March 1, 2026.

Hyatt said the appointment supports the next phase of expansion for its all-inclusive portfolio, which already spans more than 150 resorts and 55,000 rooms across Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, with plans to expand further within these regions and beyond.

In the role, Zarraluqui will focus on asset-light growth strategies, resort development and repositioning, and the cultivation of strategic relationships to support the long-term expansion of Hyatt’s all-inclusive portfolio. 

She will report to Javier Águila, president, Inclusive Collection, Hyatt, who stepped into his global role in March 2025.

“Maria brings a broad track record of success in growing all-inclusive portfolios, along with an outstanding industry reputation, which will further strengthen and propel the Inclusive Collection’s development team as we continue to solidify the portfolio as a global leader, building on the industry-leading expansion achieved in recent years,” said Águila. 

“We have taken a creative approach to organic and inorganic growth and focused on delivering outsized results for our owners, and Maria’s appointment will be central to advancing that strategy.”

Zarraluqui most recently served as vice president of global development at Meliá Hotels International. 

She brings more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with development work across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, China and the Americas. 

She has spearheaded, alongside her team, more than 350 hotel deals in both new and established markets, including joint ventures and strategic alliances with major international partners.

Zarraluqui serves on several advisory boards and committees, is a global speaker, and is a real estate professor at IE Business School in Madrid. 

Her education includes a master’s degree in legal consultancy for enterprises from Deusto University, a mention of honor as number one of the 2008-2009 Executive Tourist MBA, IE Business School in Madrid, and a law degree from the University of Navarra.

Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection currently comprises more than 150 resorts and 55,000 rooms across Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. 

The company said it recently completed transactions related to the acquisition of Playa Hotels & Resorts following the successful sale of its real estate portfolio to Tortuga Resorts, resulting in a fully asset-light transaction.

Hyatt's portfolio continues to expand with the recent openings of Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa, and Secrets Baby Beach Aruba. 

Planned openings for 2026 include Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana and Secrets Macao Beach Punta Cana.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.