Gabriela Lelo de Larrea, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the School or Resort & Hospitality Management within the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University and an Assistant Editor of the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. Dr. Lelo de Larrea holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Hospitality Management from the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management and a Master of Business Management from Victoria University in Australia. Gabriela earned her Bachelor of Tourism Administration from Universidad Anahuac in her hometown of Mexico City. She is a Certified Hotel Industry Analyst (CHIA) and a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE). 

Dr. Lelo de Larrea has published in top-tier hospitality and tourism academic journals, including the International Journal of Hospitality Management. Her research focuses on innovation, customer experience management, strategic management, and revenue management in different service industries, including lodging organizations. 

Before her academic career, Dr. Lelo De Larrea spent a decade working with leading hospitality companies, including Disney Parks & Resorts, Wyndham Vacation Resorts, and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, holding positions in guest services, marketing, and event management. Gabriela’s diverse background provides her with unique insights gathered from a wide variety of business settings, ranging from fast-paced, high-volume operations to intimate luxury settings. Having lived and worked in four different countries, Dr. Lelo de Larrea brings a global perspective to customer service and experience management.