Melina Forla has been appointed as General Manager, and Marti Trieschmann joins as the Luxury Director of Sales & Marketing

South Caicos, March 7, 2024 – Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Turks & Caicos proudly announces the appointment of two seasoned hospitality professionals to its leadership team: Melina Forla has been appointed as General Manager, and Marti Trieschmann joins as the Luxury Director of Sales & Marketing.

“We are thrilled to have Melina and Marti join our team,” said Michael Tibbetts, CEO of JEM Worldwide, the developer of Salterra. “As we plan for Salterra’s grand opening in early 2025, Melina and Marti will lead our efforts to create a unique sense of place and focus on sustainability that will define our exclusive destination in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Melina Forla, boasting over 25 years in the hospitality industry, has been an integral part of JEM Worldwide's leadership team since 2022. A native Argentinean, Forla has worked at renowned resorts in the Caribbean, United States and Latin America, including 12 years with Marriott International's Westin Brand in the Caribbean, specializing in Sales and Operations. Notably, she has spent most of her hospitality career in the Cayman Islands, where her efforts were concentrated on sales for leisure, corporate and incentive group segments. Leading a team of experts from JEM, Forla is exclusively dedicated to planning and executing Salterra's grand opening in 2025.

Marti Trieschmann, the newly appointed Luxury Director of Sales & Marketing, will play a pivotal role in the success of Salterra Resort & Spa. She brings a wealth of experience to her role, having worked with renowned branded hotels such as Marriott, Westin, Hilton, and Hyatt. Her strong knowledge of Marriott’s properties, especially in the Caribbean, position her as a key player in establishing Salterra as a distinguished property in the region. As Luxury Director of Sales & Marketing, Trieschmann will be responsible for building a successful sales and marketing team, providing day-to-day leadership to Salterra’s sales and reservations associates, and collaborating with the executive team to set top-line revenue targets.

Forla and Trieschmann make a formidable team, having previously worked closely together at the Westin Grand Cayman. What sets their collaborative efforts apart is a unique role reversal – Melina transitioning from sales to operational leadership and Marti directing all aspects of sales and marketing efforts – creating a cohesive team approach. Their combined efforts will ensure that Salterra’s brand promise is effectively communicated to future guests and executed on property with memorable service and bespoke experiences.  

“As the General Manager of Salterra, my main goal is to build a successful team that inspires others to dream more, learn more and accomplish bigger things in their lives,” Forla said. “This is a difficult task that cannot be accomplished alone. Leadership isn't a solitary endeavor. Cultivating leadership is important, but it's equally important to hire the right people. Having Marti at my side is a testament to our commitment to hiring top talent and strengthening our team.”

“I’m thrilled to be working on the Salterra project — and equally thrilled to be teamed up with Melina again,” said Trieschmann.

Situated on the pristine beaches of South Caicos Island, Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Turks & Caicos will invite guests to discover world-class watersports, fine dining, immaculate white sand beaches, and enchanting cultural experiences, anchored by a true sense of place. Salterra is slated to open its doors in early 2025 and will be the first Marriott Luxury Collection resort in the Turks and Caicos Islands. 

About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of nearly 8,700 properties across more than 30 leading brands in 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.  In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on X and Instagram.

About The Luxury Collection® Hotels & Resorts

The Luxury Collection® is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world's most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location, a portal to the destination's charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA® brand as a collection of Europe's most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble over 115 of the world's finest hotels and resorts in more than 35 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world's finest. For more information and new openings, visit theluxurycollection.com or follow Instagram and Facebook. The Luxury Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.