Royalton appoints new GM
Published:Sunday | March 30, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Blue Diamond Resorts, operators of the new Royalton White Sands Resort in Trelawny, has appointed Jamaican Italian-born hotelier Armando Pizzuti as its general manager.
Pizzuti, whose last job was vice-president of operations for the largest tourism company in Dutch St Maarten, the Maho Group, has responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the 352-room resort.
Royalton White Sands, formerly Breezes Trelawny, opened its doors in November 2013. Pizzuti is aiming to transform the resort into a five-star hotel. He brings to the job an understanding of the Jamaican culture and its people, having spent over 20 years at the renowned Sandals Resorts International.
"What is important here is my understanding of the culture of the people because you can have some great hardware, but it's the people who make the hotel," Pizzuti told Sunday Business.
Having worked in a number of other Caribbean islands, the hotelier said Jamaicans are tourism's best asset. "Jamaicans are the best in the Caribbean," he said.
With plans to expand on lands nearby by constructing 700 additional rooms in the near future, Pizzuti, who is just over two weeks on the job, said his focus at this time, more importantly, is building a team that is united, with the same vision and direction of Royalton owners, Sun Wing Vacations.
FAMILY-ORIENTED PROPERTY
Sun Wing pumped US$60 million into refurbishing the resort a year and a half after sealing a deal with the SuperClubs group. The resort is one of the few family-oriented properties on the island, boasting 12 waterslides and splash pool, offering concierge service on all floors.
In the refurbishing exercise, Royalton added two new wings, bringing to the market an all-suite resort that boasts 16 presidential suites, along with a number of honeymoon swim out and jacuzzi suites.
Pizzuti is the second general manager since Royalton's November opening, and he was called in because of his expertise, particularly in food and beverage management.
His career in the hospitality sector started more than 40 years ago after he earned a degree in hospitality management and hotel and restaurant management at Kansas University in the United States. His professional journey has taken him throughout the United States, Europe and the Caribbean, where he worked for world-class resorts such as Marriott and Disney.
Pizzuti spent most of his years developing specialty restaurants in the all-inclusive chain, Sandals.
"Food and beverage was not a major focus. Companies then realised it was the key to the all-inclusive market," he explained.
He was also a member of the team that opened the two Secrets Resorts in Montego Bay. He spent a year and a half with the resort group before moving to St Maarten, where he managed two hotels, two casinos and four timeshare properties.
Pizutti said his plan is to ensure that Royalton becomes the best service-oriented resort in the country.