Gustavo Montealegre

Sales & Marketing-New Business Development

International business consultant and hospitality executive specialized in hotel operations, new
business development, franchising agreements, sales, and marketing. Over two decades of proven
success delivering strong P&L performance and revenue growth across urban hotels, resorts, and
multi-unit portfolios.

Progressive leadership experience in key management roles including General Manager, Director
of Food & Beverage, Director of Sales & Marketing, Real Estate & Development Director, and
International Hospitality Consultant. Extensive background supporting city, beach, and mountain
hotels and resorts throughout the Americas.

EXPERTISE

  • Specialized in asset-light growth strategies (management, franchise, and affiliation models),
    conversions, rebranding, and mixed-use developments.
  • Experienced in leveraging networks of brokers, banks, and multilateral partners to unlock capital.
    Skilled in LOIs and HMA/Franchise agreements, overseeing cross-functional execution through
    project handover.
  • Operational expertise across luxury to economy segments, as well as HOA, residential, and broader
    lodging ecosystems.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Meliá Hotels International, Punta Cana International – Development Director – Caribbean & Central America

Sept. 2024 Nov. 2025

(Hotel chain leader in both resort and urban hotels operating 374 hotels in 40 countries)

  • Head of Development for the Caribbean & Central America; a key voice in shaping Meliá’s growth
    across one of our most dynamic regions.
  • Acquisition, conversions/repositioning and development of hotels and branded
    residences/condominiums; TSA/FA/Term Sheet coordination.

AyZ Business Consulting – Executive Director, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic

2017 – 2024

  • Consulting across city, mountain, and beach hotels: repositioning, distribution/channel mix,
    revenue management, operations, digitalization, and pricing.
  • Advisory for condominiums/HOAs (governance, operating model, dues).
  • Commercial plans, due diligence, and go-to-market for branded residences and rental pools,
    structured sales programs and owner relations.

Barceló Hotel Group, Panama City – General Manager

2016 -2017

  • Hotel Pre-opening to stabilized operations; urban / MICE / F&B positioning; online ratings 9.1

Barceló Hotel Group, Central America – Regional Development Director

2014 – 2016

Barceló Hotel Group, The Caribbean – Regional Development Director

2003 – 2007

  • Built and advanced the regional deal pipeline (acquisitions & developments).
  • Led term negotiations (LOIs; HMA/Franchise/Lease) and coordinated cross-functional due diligence
    (financial, legal, technical).
  • Delivered the mandate to sign and open two capital-city hotels launched Barceló San Salvador and
    Occidental Panama City within tenure.
  • Joint acquisition with Grupo PLAYA of 800-room, US$87M beach resort in Punta Cana (full DD,
    financial & legal analysis) from Mr. Luis Abinader.
  • Exploration and pitches across Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica, Bahamas (Nassau/Paradise
    Island, Bimini, Eleuthera), Aruba, Curaçao, Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos, Cayman Islands, St.
    Maarten, Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, USVI, BVI, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Kitts &
    Nevis, Roatán/Utila/Guanaja.
  • 22 deals presented with 90% success in committees/greenlights.
  • Subsequent corporate decision to concentrate expansion in Mexico, D.R. and Cuba.

Río Perdido Hotel & Eco Adventure Park – Costa Rica- General Manager & DOS

2013 – 2014

  • Pre-opening to stable operations; eco-adventure positioning; new attractions driving RevPAR and
    reputation.

Condovac La Costa Resort – General Manager – Guanacaste C.R

2012 – 2013

  • Turnaround: team reorg, rate optimization, cost controls, product uplift, and revenue-mix (rooms,
    F&B, memberships).

EDUCATION

  • MBA, Universidad Latina (Costa Rica)
  • B.S., Hotel & Culinary Management, ULACIT (Costa Rica)
  • HR Management & Hospitality Engineering, Johnson & Wales University (USA)