Jerry DiPietro, a much-loved and highly regarded long-time tour and travel industry professional, passed away on Sept. 12th. DiPietro, 73, had a long career in the tour and travel industry. He began in the spring of 1969 as an operations analyst supervisor at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, later moving into sales as a manager of both group and individual sales. He soon became director of sales and then moved on to senior sales and managerial positions at Dunfey/Omni Hotels in New England. He acquired his own 46-unit motor lodge in Cape Cod, Mass., which he operated for more than a decade. At about the same time, in 1980, he established his own receptive tour operator company, Tourco, based in Hyannis, Mass., which he and his wife Marian, operated for nearly 30 years. After he closed the company, he served in a senior sales positions with to join the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, closing out his career last year with the Venetian/Palazzo in Las Vegas. He remained active, however, consulting and representing different companies. He continued to show up at NAJ events and other industry functions.
He was a great guy and a mentor in the tourism industry. He will be greatly missed!
I will include Jerry in my prayers, and my heartfelt condolences to Marian and their children! He gave me the opportunity to fulfill a dream of mine by moving to the Cape!
Jerry was a great individual. Always good spirited, there was nothing like a bad day for him. A true trailblazer for our industry but always ever so modest. A gentleman, he was seeking and getting the best out of people. He sure will be missed. Sincere condolences to Marian and their children.
Such sad news. He was a real professional and I am honoured to have worked alongside him on projects. My deepest sympathies to family and friends of this very very gentleman.
A truly remarkable man, mentor to many and mentor and father figure to me. Sending so much love to Marian, Chris, Andrew, Tara & Katie and the rest of family. You are in my thoughts.
I first knew Jerry back in the 1980’s when he offered Tourco’s services to the International Market as a Receptive Operator. What started as a business relationship evolved into a personal one. We swopped children for work experience. My son did his intern programme with Tourco and 20 odd years later is still in the USA thnks to Jerry and Marian.
Somehow we finished up having homes close to each other in Arizona. Jerry would blame me and I would blame him. The bid advantage was popping round to them for Marian’ cooking.
A great guy who went well before his time. He will be sorely missed not only by his family and friends but many, many people in the industry. Greta knowimnh him. God bless
Such sad news! Jerry was such a wonderful man who will be sorely missed. I am sending my heartfelt condolences to Marian and the family. I will always remember the good laughs we all had together!
Jerry, rest in peace, my dear friend,
Judy DiPietro