Issue No.21 - Polo De’Marco Magazine Issue No.21 - SPECIAL EDITON(clone) | Page 130

10. You played an important role as Counsellor
and former President of the Association of
Piazza di Spagna and Trinita dei Monti -
where it was a safeguard and representation
of retailers and business owners. What is the
companies manifesto? And how do you ensure
the rules are followed?
The Association of Piazza di Spagna and Trinità dei
Monti tries to bring to the public attention important
issues the city faces. During these years, we tried to
highlight problems such as the dirt, the inadequacy
of public transportations and the negligence of
many areas that give a negative image of Rome and
make tourists lose interest in this wonderful city. We
work all together in order to improve the Roman
wealth and appeal. The Spanish Steps is an artwork
known all over the world, one of the very symbols of
Rome just like the Colosseum. The Hassler has the
privilege to be located at its top and to be the most
photographed hotel in the world…Piazza di Spagna,
the Spanish Steps, the Baroque-style of Barcaccia
fountain of Lorenzo Bernini, the Colosseum are
the business cards of Rome, we have to preserve
them. Rome is the city that surprises for its beauty
and for its historical and cultural richness. It is the
largest open-air museum and we have to protect and
promote it.
11. In 2005 - you won the “Independent
Hotelier of the World Award” by Hotels
Magazine. What was that like to win such an
award in particular by your peers?
It was a great honor and one of the most
unforgettable moments of my life, especially because
I was competing against many other hotel managers
and owners worthy of notice.
12. You got awarded by the Vice Mayor of
Rome; Mariapia Garavaglia for Tourism where
it was for economic and social life in Italy.
What would you say to other hoteliers who
want to win such accolades?
The success comes from hard work… Just use the
head and not the feet… I can say I achieve the aim
to keep Hassler Roma independent and one of the
most well-known worldwide properties in the luxury
hospitality industry by working hard, pondering my
decisions and by using my head as well as my passion
for this historic hotel .
On December 2005, I decided to dedicate
“Independent Hotelier of the World” to my native
city, Rome and I delivered it into the hands of Rome’s
mayor Veltroni during a private ceremony at the
Hassler. During the same ceremony, Mayor Veltroni
awarded me with the “Lupa Capitolina” which is the
greatest Roman honor assigned to famous important
people who distinguished in various fields.
13. Did your education in a degree of Bachelor
of Science at Cornell University ‘School
of Hotel Administration’ and Honorary
Doctorates in Humane Letters from Lynn
University in Florida Gallaudet University in
Washington DC and John Cabot in Rome help
you win the ‘Leading Legends of the World
Award’? And how did you feel to receive such
an honour?
For sure my studies and my stay in the U.S. helped
me become the hotelier I am today and taught me
an important life lesson: never give up, which has
become my motto. Being awarded for the hard
work and the efforts in the independent art of the
hospitality represented a great emotion for me, and
reason of extreme pride.
14. Lastly, what would you say to other
hoteliers who are hearing impaired on how to
become what you are today? And what would
you want your legacy to be?
Often a deaf person is confused and does not believe
he can be, live or work like an ordinary person. In
reality it is not like this: deaf people can reach the
same goals as hearing people, just as I did. This
is why with CABSS I try to implement a lot of
initiatives that help deaf people easily reach their
goals and give visibility to the deaf community. As I
already said, we can do everything except hearing.