In this interview with Actualidad Económica, Antonio Catalán shares his experience leading ACHM Hotels by Marriott and his vision for the future of the hotel sector. A reflection on human leadership, strategic alliances, and new tourism models.
“A bad hotel with a good team can work; a good hotel with a bad team cannot.”
Antonio Catalán, president of ACHM Hotels by Marriott, was featured on one of the latest covers of Actualidad Económica, a leading publication of the El Mundo group. In an in-depth interview, Catalán reflects on his business career, the evolution of the hotel sector, and the values that have consolidated ACHM as a leader in hotel management in southern Europe.
At 75 years old and with inexhaustible energy, Catalán shares a clear vision: the true engine of success is people. “A bad hotel with a good team can work; a good hotel with a bad team cannot,” he asserts. This human philosophy has guided the transformation of ACHM Hotels by Marriott into the leading hotel management company in southern Europe, with more than 70 hotels in Spain, Italy, and Portugal.
Catalán recalls how, after the financial crisis of 2008, he bet on a strategic alliance with Marriott that today translates into a global success story. Regarding the current state of the sector, he believes we are in a new era of tourism, where international travelers, especially Americans, have discovered Spain as a top destination. “We have hotels in the city center where 92% of our guests are international and 70% are Americans,” he highlights.
In this new context, luxury is gaining prominence, while the traditional three-star model is being redefined. ACHM Hotels by Marriott is already working on new brands that meet the needs of today’s travelers, such as AC Essential — the so-called “Zara of hotels” — or a charming boutique line designed for major cities.
“We are in a moment of evolution. In our company, we are constantly thinking about what we do and what we don’t do,” concludes Catalán, convinced that the future of tourism lies in innovation, design, and, above all, human excellence.**You can read the full interview here: Antonio Catalán in Actualidad Económica
👉 You can read the full interview here: Antonio Catalán in Actualidad Económica
