Gabriela Lelo de Larrea, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University Lutgert College of Business and a Senior Coordinating Editor of the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. She graduated with a Ph.D. in Hospitality Management from the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management. She also has a Master of Business Management from Victoria University in Australia and a Bachelor of Tourism Administration from Universidad Anahuac in 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, like the International Journal of Hospitality Management. Her research focuses on innovation, customer experience management, strategic management, and revenue management in different service industries. In addition, she has co-authored encyclopedia entries, book chapters, and textbooks, including Successful Hotel, Lodging and Resort Management: Delivering the Guest Experience (2nd Ed.).

Before her academic career, Dr. Lelo de Larrea spent a decade working in leading hospitality companies, such as Disney Parks & Resorts, Wyndham Vacation Resorts, and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. She held several positions in guest services, marketing, and event management. Her diverse background exposed her to a wide variety of businesses that range from fast-paced mass operations to intimate luxury settings. Having lived and worked in four different countries, she brings a global perspective to customer service and experience management.