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RESORTDEVELOPER.COM
vacation industry review
APRIL – JUNE 2015
By Judy Kenninger
Still, having originally joined Divi 20 years ago in the food
and beverage department at
Divi Little Bay Beach Resorton
St. Maarten, Galaverna appreciates the company’s traditions.
The divi-divi tree, from which the company takes its name, is
Aruba’s natural compass because the island’s trade winds
make it point in a southwesterly direction. Now, Divi Resorts
Group, which includes eight Caribbean resorts, is maintaining
its island roots, even as it branches out with new products.
“We have a 40-year history in the Caribbean,” Galaverna
says. “That’s where we’ll continue to grow as we add more
destinations and more inventory at our existing resorts.”
Winds of Change
Divi Resorts was founded in the 1970s by Walter Wiggins, an
attorney from upstate New York who often vacationed in
Aruba with his family and understood the desirability of the
beautiful beaches and friendly people of select Caribbean
islands. The hotel company then entered timesharing in
1981, selling a 40-year, right-to-use membership. It was a
When Marco Galaverna was named
president and chief operating officer of
Divi Resorts Groupin November 2013, he
was ready to hit the ground running. “We
have basically restructured the whole
company,” he says. “There’s a whole new
vision, a new website, new software, and a
new vacation club product.”
DIVI RESORTS
GROUP
DIVI FLAMINGO BEACH RESORT & CASINO
DIVI FLAMINGO BEACH RESORT & CASINO
DIVI SOUTHWINDS BEACH RESORT, BARBADOS
New Directions
Branching Out In