JEN Maldives, Malé by Shangri-La has appointed Juan Carlos Diago as its new General Manager, effective March 23, 2025. With over four decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Diago brings an exceptional leadership background to the resort. He has led nine resorts and twelve city hotels across two continents, showcasing his diverse and extensive expertise. Consequently, his wealth of experience will play a vital role in the resort’s continued success.
A Passionate Leader with Proven Expertise
Diago is well-known for his passion, energy, and commitment to excellence. Throughout his career, he has consistently elevated service standards, enhanced guest experiences, and driven financial performance. Notably, he has achieved remarkable success in leadership roles with prestigious hospitality brands such as Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott International, and Universal Music Hotels & Resorts. As a result, his leadership has produced impressive outcomes across various operational areas.
Juan Carlos Diago shared his vision, expressing
“My vision is to see this hotel ranked among the very best—not just within our company, but across the entire city. I firmly believe that with our passionate team and commitment to excellence, we can absolutely achieve this.”
A Diverse Global Experience
With extensive leadership experience in cities such as Bangkok, Manila, Surabaya, Penang, Miami, Cartagena, Cancun, Rio de Janeiro, and Bogotá, Diago has honed his skills in overseeing pre-openings, large-scale renovations, and managing all-inclusive resorts. Furthermore, his multilingual fluency in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and various Asian languages enables him to connect across cultures, adding a valuable global perspective to his strategic approach. In addition, Diago has mastered sales and marketing, revenue management, and digital transformation. He has successfully pioneered the use of Artificial Intelligence to enhance operational efficiency. These capabilities make him the ideal leader to guide JEN Maldives into its next phase of growth and innovation.
Before his appointment, Diago served as Senior Hotel Consultant and Development Advisor for Universal Music Hotels & Resorts, where he supported their expansion across South America and the Caribbean. Additionally, his previous roles include General Manager at renowned properties such as Hotel Live Aqua Mexico City, Hotel Estelar Cartagena de Indias, and the iconic Hotel Westin Camino Real in Guatemala. At these properties, he achieved record-breaking guest satisfaction scores and impressive financial results. As a result, his leadership has consistently delivered outstanding outcomes.
In addition to his extensive experience, Diago is pursuing advanced certifications from the prestigious École Hôtelière de Lausanne. He is focusing on Hotel Asset Management and Hotel Development & Real Estate Investment, demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. This dedication to personal development reinforces his leadership abilities and vision for the future.
As he steps into his role as General Manager of JEN Maldives, Diago is confident that his dynamic leadership will drive the hotel to new milestones, enhance its brand, and deliver exceptional experiences to guests, colleagues, and stakeholders. With his vision and expertise, JEN Maldives is poised for an exciting future under his leadership. Diago’s leadership will ensure that the resort continues to thrive in an increasingly competitive industry.
