Brothers take charge of RIU Group
Published:Wednesday | October 9, 2024 | 12:11 AMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
The RIU Group, one of the largest hotel chains in the world, is undergoing a significant transition as the next generation of leadership steps up.
Luis and Roberto Riu Rodríguez, sons of current CEO Luis Riu Güell, are now key figures in managing the company’s global expansion and strategic initiatives. The brothers, who have been involved in the company for several years, are poised to lead RIU into a new era.
Their father was the first Spanish hotel investor to construct a resort in Jamaica 24 years ago, causing a mushrooming of international investment from that European market.
In its announcement, the hotel chain’s communications team in Mallorca, Spain, said Luis and Roberto have gradually assumed more responsibility in the construction, design, and expansion of RIU’s international portfolio, marking a formal generational handover for the family-owned business.
Both are also driving the company’s ambitious energy self-supply initiative, overseeing projects that support decarbonisation across its hotels.
Luis Riu Rodríguez, the eldest, brings extensive experience from previous roles in investment banking and from overseeing several of RIU’s major hotel destinations, including Miami, New York, Jamaica, and Spain’s Canary Islands. He also spearheaded the RIU Party project, a concept that reinvents entertainment for the chain, first launched in Mexico and now expanded globally to destinations such as Jamaica.
Meanwhile, Roberto, who is younger, has a background in business administration with experience in hotel operations across Jamaica, Miami, and the Canary Islands. His training in negotiations and construction projects further solidifies his role in the company’s technical and refurbishment divisions.
Focus on decarbonisation
A key focus for both brothers is RIU’s commitment to decarbonisation, said the communications team, adding that the duo has supervised the design and installation of 24 photovoltaic projects across 23 hotels, contributing to an €8.6 million investment.
“This effort has already resulted in the avoidance of 7,375 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Their work underscores RIU’s strategic priority of sustainability, blending eco-friendly practices with the company’s longstanding commitment to quality guest experiences.”
This commitment is particularly evident in Jamaica, where RIU operates seven hotels, including the newest resort, RiuPalace Aquarelle in Trelawny, an environmentally friendly property. These hotels are not only key to the chain’s sustainability goals but also vital to the local economy, employing over 3,700 Jamaicans.
RIU’s business model relies on hands-on family involvement at every stage of development, from choosing new hotel locations to overseeing construction and operations. The involvement of Luis and Roberto ensures that the next generation will continue this approach, says the hotel chain. The brothers now handle specific regions and projects independently, marking the start of a new chapter for the family-led company.
With their mix of international experience, business acumen, and a forward-looking focus on sustainability, Luis and Roberto Riu Rodríguez represent the future of the RIU Group as it continues to expand its global footprint while supporting communities like Jamaica.