Dubrovnik Sea Sun Hotels
Ana First is a strategic hospitality executive with more than 20 years of experience in tourism, hotel management, commercial leadership and destination development. As Chief Executive Officer of Dubrovnik Sea Sun Hotels, she leads a diverse portfolio of distinctive properties while driving brand development, operational excellence and sustainable, year-round growth.
Her career spans senior commercial and operational roles across Croatia and Montenegro, including experience with internationally recognized hospitality brands such as Hilton, Falkensteiner and Marriott. Ana's expertise encompasses sales and revenue management, hotel operations, project development, project conversions, organizational transformation and the strategic positioning of hotels and resorts.
Recognized for combining commercial insight with a people-focused leadership style, Ana is passionate about creating hospitality concepts that deliver measurable business value while remaining authentic to their local culture and community. She has led regional teams, managed complex hotel operations and contributed to the development of guest experiences that balance contemporary luxury, strong identity and long-term sustainability.
Ana is an alumna of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano and Rochester Institute of Technology. She also contributes to the future of the hospitality profession as a mentor through the RIT Mentorship Program and is an honorary member of Eta Sigma Delta, the International Hospitality Management Honor Society.