When our team of travel experts here at CIRE heard we were interviewing Pedro from Hyatt for our latest “8 questions” article, here were some of the comments we got:
- “A ball of great energy!”
- “Gregarious, friendly, and personable.”
- “Passionate, electric, enthusiastic.”
- “One of the most genuine people I’ve met in the travel industry.”
We’re honored to introduce you to our partner, friend and all-around good guy, Pedro Spignolio!
CIRE: Hello Pedro! We go waaaay back, but please say hi to our CIRE peeps who may not know you…
PEDRO: Greetings! My name is Pedro Spignolio, and I have the privilege of representing Hyatt Hotels & Resorts as a Global Sales Director. As a member of our exclusive Hyatt Privé, preferred agency program, I have the distinct pleasure of working closely with CIRE Travel Advisors to ensure we provide your guests with personalized care and memorable experiences, these include a complimentary room upgrade at time of booking, personalized welcome note & amenity, among many other factors.
CIRE: Thank you for being great partners! Our corporate and leisure clients love the Hyatt Privé perks! What’s new at Hyatt?
PEDRO: We have many developments at Hyatt! Here’s two recent announcements I am most excited about. We are poised to strengthen our luxury portfolio with 35+ planned hotel and resort openings through 2025. Here a sneak peek on a few notables: Park Hyatt London, Park Hyatt Los Cabos, Park Hyatt Johannesburg, Andaz Turks & Caicos, Miraval Red Sea, Thompson Rome, and Thompson Vienna. The second is the launch of a new brand, Hyatt Studios. A brand that’ll bring newly built, upper-midscale accommodations – ideal for extended stays to smaller markets and submarkets where Hyatt hotels are not featured. The first Hyatt Studio is set to open in Mobile, Alabama in 2025.
CIRE: Very exciting! How did you get started in the travel business?
PEDRO: I knew the travel business was my calling at the age of 14. Here’s how it began: My Aunt Maria worked in the sales office of a small resort named Eurotel in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. In the summer of 1991 during a trip to DR, Aunt Maria hosted me at the resort to enjoy a day at the pool & beach. I remember vividly that feeling of being at the resort enjoying myself and seeing the interaction between guests and staff. My thought was this: “I love helping people, and I could get paid + work at a cool hotel at the same time? Sold!” Fast forward, travel is all I’ve done during my professional working career, spanning 25+ years as a travel advisor and now a hotelier. I could not be prouder to be a member of our travel community.
CIRE: Twenty-five years is amazing! What keeps you excited about going to work every day after all this time?
PEDRO: Wow, it is difficult to stay short on this one as there are so many things I love about my career, but here are three: 1- Let’s start with my dear travel partners: My day to day allows me to work and collaborate with the finest group of travel agency owners and advisors to create memorable experiences for our mutual customers. 2- I play a role in helping agency owners and advisors grow their respective businesses. 3- I get to play a part in the economic and social opportunities our travel business provides to countries and cities around the world.
CIRE: This is what Jason on our team had to say about working with you: “What I can say about Pedro is I KNOW that he is going to make himself available, no matter where in the world he is (literally) and I know he will come through for us. With Pedro, it’s not just words, it is his dedication to action that speaks the loudest.” High praise from our CIRE colleague! What makes you so dedicated to your job and to Hyatt?
PEDRO: Simple! It’s our people and culture. At Hyatt, it starts with our purpose: “We care for people so they can be their best”. As we continue to grow, we don’t lose sight of what’s most important – People! Hyatt is a company that was built by family. It’s a workplace where coworkers become friends, and extended family. Having the best people has been our catalyst to build an amazing culture of diversity, inclusiveness, empathy, and unwavering support. Having the best people = amazing hospitality. This is the key to our success!
CIRE: Caring for people is core to the travel and hospitality business, for sure! Speaking of travel, do you have a favorite vacation destination?
PEDRO: Mexico is one of my all-time favorite destinations. The Why: Mexico is known for its rich culture, ancient ruins, dazzling beaches, incredible cuisine, and first-class hospitality. There are many spectacular destinations within this diverse country. A favorite is Riviera Maya, where Hyatt features two outstanding resort options in Andaz Mayakoba and Secrets Moxche. Andaz is our place when traveling as a family and Secrets is ideal for my wife and I, as an adult only resort. The people of Mexico have a heart of gold and will forever hold a special place in my heart.
CIRE: Mexico is one of our favorites as well! And when you’re not traveling for work or fun, where’s home for you?
PEDRO: I currently reside in North Bergen, New Jersey. It is a fairly small-town right across from Manhattan. This is where I’ve called home for the past 26 years. I grew up in Washington Heights in New York City. If you want to indulge in legit Dominican food, you must travel to my birthplace of Washington Heights in NYC. Here’s a teaser: If you want to start your mornings right, you must try “Los 3 Golpes” which translates to the “3 Hits” and that is Mangu, Huevos, y Queso Frito (Mashed Plantains, Fried Eggs & Cheese). We elevate your taste buds by adding grilled onions and, to make it healthy, we add avocados. Ok, now I am hungry!
CIRE: We’re hungry, too! And when you’re not working, or eating amazing Dominican food, where can we find you?
PEDRO: During my free time, it starts with my family. I enjoy spending quality time with my wife, and daughters (19 and 15). We love dining out, catching a movie, an occasional Broadway play, an occasional road trip, if not just being home bodies. Pretty low-key. In my “me-time”, I enjoy an intense workout involving weightlifting, watching my favorites sports teams (Yankees, Giants, Knicks) and capping off the work week with an Oliva Cigar paired with nice Old Fashioned. Doesn’t get any better!
CIRE: Cheers to that! And GO YANKS! Thanks for being a great partner and friend, Pedro! See you soon!
CIRE Travel is a full-service travel agency headquartered in New York, NY. Our expert corporate travel planners, honeymoon travel agents, and luxury travel planners support clients across the country and around the world.
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