The President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Margalida Prohens, together with the councillors, expresses her condolences on the death of businessman Gabriel Escarrer Julià, founder of Meliá Hotels International. A pioneer and visionary in the tourism sector in the Balearic Islands and worldwide, Escarrer received the Gold Medal of the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands in 2006, in recognition of his career and as an indisputable figure in the socio-economic history of our community.

The year 1956 marked the beginning of Gabriel Escarrer Julià’s business career with the acquisition of a 60-room hotel in Mallorca, which would become what is today the Meliá Hotels International group. A few years later, in the 1960s, its presence on the Islands grew and, in the 1980s, the company began its national and international expansion with the acquisition of the hotels of the Hotasa chain, the absorption of the Compañía Hotelera del Mediterráneo and the Meliá chain, as well as the construction of the first hotel of the international division in Bali. Thus, in 1996, it became the first hotel management company to be listed on the stock exchange worldwide.

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President Prohens, on behalf of the Government of the Balearic Islands, expresses condolences on the death of businessman Gabriel Escarrer Julià, founder of Meliá Hotels International

In December 2016 Gabriel Escarrer Julià relinquished his executive powers at Meliá Hotels International, which he transferred to his son Gabriel Escarrer Jaume as Vice Chairman and CEO. Since then, he has served as non-executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Directors and of the Group’s General Shareholders’ Meeting.

As a result of his impeccable professional career, in recognition of his extensive experience in the tourism industry, he has also received numerous awards, including the Tourism Personality of the Century, awarded by professionals in the sector; The Lifetime Achievement, presented by the International Hotel Investment Forum; member of the exclusive Hall of Fame of the British Travel Industry; Gold Medal of the Fomento de Turismo and Palma City Council. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of the Balearic Islands.

His social work should also be highlighted, with his collaboration with several foundations and entities that work on projects to help disadvantaged people, with a special focus on children.