Maria Zarraluqui Named SVP, Global Hyatt Inclusive Collection Growth and Owner Relations

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has appointed Maria Zarraluqui as Senior Vice President, Global Hyatt Inclusive Collection Growth and Owner Relations, effective March 1, 2026.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the appointment of Maria Zarraluqui as Senior Vice President, Global Hyatt Inclusive Collection Growth and Owner Relations. The appointment is effective March 1, 2026. In this newly created position, Zarraluqui will oversee asset-light growth strategies, resort development and repositioning, and the cultivation of strategic relationships to support the expansion of Hyatt’s all-inclusive portfolio. She will report directly to Javier Águila, President, Inclusive Collection, Hyatt.

Zarraluqui most recently served as Vice President of Global Development at Meliá Hotels International. She has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, leading development across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, China, and the Americas. Her experience includes executing more than 350 hotel deals, joint ventures, and building alliances with international partners. Zarraluqui is also a board advisor, committee leader, global speaker, and a real estate professor at IE Business School in Madrid. She holds a master’s degree in legal consultancy for enterprises from Deusto University, a mention of honour as the top graduate of the 2008-2009 Executive Tourist MBA at IE Business School in Madrid, and a law degree from the University of Navarra.

Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection currently includes more than 150 resorts and 55,000 rooms in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. The company recently completed transactions related to the acquisition of Playa Hotels & Resorts, following the sale of its real estate portfolio to Tortuga Resorts. This resulted in a fully asset-light transaction.

Recent openings in the Inclusive Collection include Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa, and Secrets Baby Beach Aruba. Planned openings include Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana and Secrets Macao Beach Punta Cana in 2026.

Javier Águila assumed his role as President, Inclusive Collection, Hyatt in March 2025.