Over the past twenty-five years, Saro Spadaro has built a strong presence in the Caribbean hospitality and real estate sector. As President and CEO of The Maho Group, based in Sint Maarten, he has developed a business ecosystem that combines luxury resorts, residential developments and tailored services. His career, shaped after graduating in Business Administration from Bocconi University, reflects a consistent focus on long-term strategy, operational discipline and direct involvement.
Today, his attention is increasingly focused on how artificial intelligence is influencing the future of hospitality. Saro Spadaro considers AI a turning point for the industry. In a context where guests expect more personalized and efficient experiences, technology is becoming a central component of service delivery. At the same time, he points out that companies that fail to adapt their processes, especially in the digital space, may struggle to remain competitive.
In his view, hospitality businesses need to rethink how they interact with customers online. Digital platforms should become more intuitive and better equipped to support intelligent interactions. Advances in language models are opening new opportunities to guide guests through their choices, offering more relevant suggestions and anticipating preferences. However, Saro Spadaro emphasizes that these tools must be implemented responsibly, ensuring data protection and delivering real value.
Despite this technological evolution, the human dimension remains essential. For Saro Spadaro, hospitality is fundamentally based on relationships. Artificial intelligence can enhance efficiency and provide useful insights, but it cannot replace the role of people. The real advantage lies in giving teams the tools they need to better understand their guests and deliver a more consistent and personalized service.
This approach is already visible in several operational areas. Predictive maintenance allows companies to prevent issues before they arise. Improved inventory management supports more efficient restaurant operations. Energy consumption and cleaning processes can be optimized, contributing to both cost control and sustainability. These are practical improvements that benefit the organization as well as the guest experience.
Leadership, in Saro Spadaro’s case, is closely tied to presence and responsibility. This was clearly demonstrated in 2017, when Hurricane Irma struck Sint Maarten. He remained on the island, coordinating evacuation efforts and overseeing the recovery process. That experience reinforced his belief that leadership requires being present and taking action when it matters most.
As The Maho Group continues to expand internationally, Saro Spadaro remains focused on a clear path forward. Innovation, sustainability and human-centered management are not separate priorities, but interconnected elements of the same vision. For him, the alignment between strategy, communication and execution is what ultimately defines long-term success in hospitality.
