UJ #6 - Cusco

INTERVIEW
Walter Regidor
General Manager, Marriott Peru
Interview with
Rodrigo Cabrera
Photos
Cadena Marriott
WITH A DEGREE IN HUMAN RESOURCES, ARGENTINE WALTER REGIDOR HAS BEEN IN PERU FOR OVER
FOUR YEARS HEADING UP THE MARRIOTT CHAIN. HIS WORK AS A WELL-KNOWN HOTELIER HAS LED
HIM TO A LEADERSHIP POSITION IN ONE OF MARRIOTT’S MOST AMBITIOUS PROJECTS: A NEW HOTEL IN
CUSCO, THE STAR DESTINATION OF SOUTH AMERICA. BELOW, REGIDOR TALKS ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE
AND HIS THOUGHTS ON CUSCO AS A DESTINATION.
THE HOTEL
What has opening a hotel in Cusco meant to the
Marriott chain?
For Marriott as a hotel chain, opening in Cusco has
been a goal. After all, it is an iconic destination in Latin
American and the world. We are very pleased with
what Cusco means as a destination. For
us, it is Peru’s most touristic spot. In Lima
there is tourism but it is nothing compared
with Cusco. With this hotel we have
entered the leisure market, which makes
us change our business perspective a
little. The client who travels for pleasure
is not the same as the client who travels
for business. Each has distinct needs.
This difference has created a process of
adaption and discovery for us. We planned
for some things and have had to
adapt to others.
year?
From the point of view of the destination,
spectacular. People are very welcoming.
We have been open in Cusco since
been about learning. We have been at
43 per cent occupation, and the maximum
is 68 per cent, so we have learned
that Cusco is a destination that does not
have particularly high occupancy rates.
We also know that this year will be much
stronger for us and that we will reach
our objectives. For example, as the airli-
is going to help the destination grow
and increase hotel demand.
A beautiful, colonial door beckons at
the entry to the new Cusco Marriott.