A career in hospitality management may seem on the surface to have little in common with the arduous sport of Ironman triathlon racing, but for 2007 Les Roches Marbella alumnus, Pedro Echevarria, they are a perfect fit.
Feature: Pedro Echevarria at Ironman 70.3 Marbella
Pedro graduated from the Postgraduate in International Hotel Management in 2007 after having already worked in hotels in the UK. To advance his career in hospitality, he felt he needed to further his training and hone his skills in a way that would give him an edge over the competition in the workplace. Originally from Seville, Pedro discovered the Swiss hotel management school in Marbella, Les Roches, and he set out on a journey that would lead him to Dubai where he subsequently discovered his second passion: triathlon racing.
Since 2014, Pedro has completed an impressive four full Ironmans and eleven half Ironmans while simultaneously developing a successful career in the hotel industry. The Ironman triathlon is considered one of the most physically and mentally demanding competitions in the world. To complete the 3.86 km swim, a 180.25 km bicycle ride, and a 42.2 km marathon run requires a multi-tiered strategy that balances a heavy training schedule with work responsibilities. Pedro mentions that the discipline, organizational and leadership skills, and life-balance acquired from competing in Ironman has translated into success in his career as well.
In 2019 Pedro teamed up with his alma mater, Les Roches Marbella. Under the school’s colors, he has completed the challenging Ironman 70.3 Marbella, Ironman 70.3 Barcelona, and posted a personal best of 9 hours 54 minutes and 26 seconds at Ironman Vitoria-Gasteiz in July.
Pedro’s professional career includes working as Senior Sales Manager with Melia International in Dubai, Assistant Director of Sales with Viceroy Group, Dubai, and Director of Sales at Sofitel, The Palm, Dubai. In 2016 he repatriated to Spain and began a three-year-long venture as Commercial Director at the PGA Catalunya Resort in Girona (selected by the Leading Hotels of The World). Pedro is currently the Director of Sales at Mariott’s Hotel Maria Cristina, San Sebastian (A Luxury Collection Hotel) where he lives with his wife, Szabina and their sporty little Daschund, Teki. Pedro Echevarria continues to train for Ironman competitions with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the World Ironman Championship in Kona, Hawaii. We can’t wait to see the Les Roches Marbella flag being flown over the island soon. We wish Pedro the best of luck in his personal life and in his career with Marriott International.
