Global Update
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Luis Riu cEO riu HOTELS , maLLOrca , Spain
Jonathan tisch cHairman LOEwS HOTELS & rESOrTS , nEw YOrk ciTY
Luis Riu represents the third generation of the Riu family to run the company that opened its first hotel in 1953 . He and his sister Carmen took over as CEOs after the death of their father in 1997 , and under their leadership , RIU has grown to be a global chain with more than 100 hotels in 18 countries and more than 27,000 employees .
Riu is very well known for having a special instinct for choosing new destinations : He was the first hotelier to take Spanish resort hospitality to destinations such as Jamaica , Aruba , Bahamas , Cape Verde and the soon to come Maldives .
His passions are hospitality and architecture , and Riu is personally involved in the design and construction of every new hotel . The opening of RIU ’ s first hotel in New York this year will mark his project number 85 .
As CEO of Loews Hotels & Resorts , Jonathan Tisch led its expansion by infusing properties with a corporate culture that places a high value on partnerships , which empower team members , satisfy customers , contribute to communities and improve the bottom line .
Believing you can do well and do good at the same time , Tisch is a champion of corporate responsibility and active citizenship . He initiated the Loews Hotels Good Neighbor Policy over 25 years ago and is the recipient of the U . S . President ’ s Service Award . He is also the author of three bestselling books and was the host of award-winning television series “ Beyond the Boardroom ,” where he interviewed some of America ’ s most preeminent CEOs and business luminaries .
Recognized as a leader in travel and tourism , Tisch works to educate U . S . elected officials and the public about the industry ’ s significant economic , social and diplomatic contributions . He founded and served as chairman of the Travel Business Roundtable , and now serves as chairman emeritus of its successor organization , the United States Travel Association . www . hotelsmag . com April 2016 HOTELS 11