Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, December 10, 2003 � Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of the following management professionals at Paradisus Puerto Rico, scheduled to open in February 2004. Jose Carrasco, Managing Director  Jose Carrasco has been appointed managing director of the 500-room Paradisus Puerto Rico, the first all-inclusive luxury resort and only

Paradisus Puerto Rico

�With Jose�s more than 19 years of experience in the hospitality industry in the Caribbean, he is a perfect fit for Paradisus Puerto Rico,� said Andre Gerondeau, Sol Group Corp.�s vice president of operations for Central & North America. 

Carrasco is a graduate of the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and holds a degree in business administration with a concentration in tourism from Trinity University & College in Dover, Delaware.

Carlos Del Pino, Director of Operations 

Carlos Del Pino has joined Paradisus Puerto Rico as director of operations. He will assist the managing director with the daily operation of the beachfront resort. Del Pino, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, has over nine years of experience in the hospitality industry. His previous positions include general manager of the Allure Mayan Riviera & Spa at Riviera Maya in Mexico; general manager of the Hacienda Resorts Villas & Beach Resort at Puerto Plata, the Dominican Republic; general manager of the Allegro Resorts & Casino in Turks & Caicos; and general manager of the Allegro Resorts Playacar at Playa del Carmen in Mexico. Del Pino graduated with a bachelor�s degree in business administration from the University of Hartford in Connecticut.

Ramon Sanchez, Director of Sales & Marketing

Ramon Sanchez has been hired as director of sales & marketing. Sanchez is responsible for implementing the marketing, advertising, promotions, and public relations strategies.

A native of Puerto Rico, Sanchez has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 15 years. During this time, he has served as sales & marketing director of the InterContinental San Juan Resort & Casino, the Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort & Golf Club in Rio Grande, the former San Juan Grand Beach Resort & Casino, and the former Sands Hotel & Casino in San Juan.

Prior to his appointment as Paradisus Puerto Rico�s sales & marketing director, Sanchez was deputy executive director of marketing & promotions at the Puerto Rico Tourism Co. His responsibilities there included supervising major marketing initiatives for Puerto Rico as a tourism destination, launching U.S. and international promotional campaigns, and supervising the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau�s sales & marketing efforts for the forthcoming Puerto Rico Convention Center.

Edgar Motta, Resident Manager

Edgar Motta has been named resident manager and is overseeing the pre-opening operations of Paradisus Puerto Rico. Motta�s career in the hospitality industry began 20 years ago when he joined the Caracas Hilton as an executive management trainee. He graduated from Simon Bolivar University in Caracas, Venezuela, and obtained a bachelor�s degree in hotel business administration.

Ricardo Bagnasco, Director of Food & Beverage

Ricardo Bagnasco, a native of Uruguay, is Paradisus Puerto Rico�s director of food & beverage. Bagnasco has experience customizing and implementing four- and five-star service standards, policies and procedures for luxury resorts, casinos and cruise lines.

For the past 20 years, he has developed and implemented hospitality-training programs for global markets. Prior to his appointment at Paradisus Puerto Rico, Bagnasco was operations director and consultant for Freeman Group International in Texas.

Luis Nazario, Director of Housekeeping

Luis Nazario has been appointed director of housekeeping. Nazario will be responsible for overseeing the housekeeping department, public areas, and laundry. He has over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to joining Paradisus Puerto Rico, Nazario was director of housekeeping at the Wyndham Martineau Bay Resort & Casino in Vieques, Puerto Rico. He also was facilities director at the Holiday Inn Mayaguez & Tropical Casino and executive housekeeper at the Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort & Country Club.

Ramon Ventura, Comptroller

Ramon Ventura has been named comptroller. Ventura has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry and previously was assistant comptroller for the Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort & Golf Club in Rio Grande. In his new position, Ventura will oversee the resort�s finances, including cash management; budgets; general accounting; hiring, training and supervising the accounting staff; and financial reporting.

Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts has four brands�Meliá Hotels, Tryp Hotels, Sol Hotels, and Paradisus Resorts�and more than 350 in more than 30 countries worldwide.
Sol Meliá�s 2003-2004 expansion plans include new properties in Brazil, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.S., Asia Pacific, and Europe.