Saro Spadaro: A Visionary Approach to Innovation and AI in the Hospitality Industry
For over twenty-five years, Saro Spadaro has been a leading force in the development of hospitality and real estate in the Caribbean. At the helm of The Maho Group, he has played a central role in transforming Sint Maarten into a vibrant ecosystem of luxury resorts, residential developments, and integrated services. His professional path, rooted in experience and shaped by strategic clarity, began shortly after earning a degree in Business Administration from Bocconi University in Milan. Today, his focus is shifting toward a new frontier in the sector: the integration of artificial intelligence.
Saro Spadaro views AI not just as a technological advancement but as a strategic opportunity for rethinking how the hospitality industry interacts with its audience. In an environment defined by rising expectations and heightened competition, the ability to deliver personalized, efficient service is no longer optional. Intelligent systems, if properly integrated, can support this evolution—yet failure to adapt may result in diminishing relevance for operators across the sector.
For Saro Spadaro, the future of hospitality involves a deep rethinking of digital customer touchpoints. Online experiences need to become more adaptive, intuitive, and compatible with AI interfaces. The emergence of large language models (LLMs) offers additional avenues for innovation, particularly in guiding customer decisions and simplifying complex choices. The key, he believes, lies in developing models that are secure, personalized, and tailored to both user needs and destination-specific data.
Despite his strong belief in innovation, Saro Spadaro places people at the heart of his vision. AI, in his approach, is a tool that supports—not replaces—human interaction. The goal is to empower hospitality professionals with smarter systems that allow for better service, deeper understanding of guest preferences, and more efficient operations. This synergy between human touch and digital intelligence forms the core of his forward-looking model.
Practical applications of this philosophy are already emerging. Predictive maintenance in resort infrastructure, intelligent food and inventory management, and optimized use of cleaning products or energy systems are all areas where AI can make a significant impact. These solutions enhance operational efficiency while simultaneously improving guest satisfaction and promoting environmental sustainability.
Leadership, for Saro Spadaro, is not abstract theory. It is action, accountability and being present—especially in critical moments. In 2017, when Hurricane Irma devastated Sint Maarten, he remained on the island, taking personal responsibility for the response effort. From managing evacuations to initiating rapid reconstruction, he demonstrated a leadership style grounded in decisiveness and compassion.
Today, as The Maho Group expands its global presence, Saro Spadaro continues to invest in technology, people, and sustainable innovation. His entrepreneurial philosophy is founded on a clear principle: vision, words, and actions must always be aligned. It is this coherence, combined with a human-centered approach, that defines his legacy and shapes the future he is building within the hospitality industry.