El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort, by Karisma in Riviera Maya, Mexico Hosts 450 Gourmet Inclusive® Vacation Consultants to Celebrate Top Performing Travel Professionals
MIAMI (December 15, 2015) — Karisma Hotels & Resorts, an award-winning luxury hotel collection which owns and manages properties in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, today announced winners from the 8th Annual Gourmet Inclusive® Vacation Consultant Awards and Sales & Marketing Forum. Each year, the event honors the industry’s top performing travel professionals. Some of the most significant honors awarded included: Top Growth Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant by region, Top Selling Home-Based Agent in the U.S. and Canada, Top Selling Storefront Agent, Top Producers for El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels by Karisma, Top Producers for Azul Hotels by Karisma, Top Producers for Generations Resorts by Karisma, Top Producer for Hidden Beach Resort, Top Selling Agent for Azul Villas by Karisma, Highest Category Sales, Top Gourmet Inclusive® Wedding Consultants, PISCIS Award, Elite recognition, and the top honor, the Hall of Fame award.
The Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant Awards and Sales & Marketing Forum, which took place at El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort, by Karisma in the Riviera Maya, on December 9 - 12, 2015, hosted 450 of the most accomplished Gourmet Inclusive® Vacation Consultants from around the world as well as Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Wykeham McNeill.
Karisma Hotels & Resorts concluded the event by revealing the highly anticipated winners of the Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant Awards. The most awarded winner was Brittany Schiffler from Destination Weddings Travel Group, who was named a Top 10 Producers for El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels by Karisma, Azul Hotels and Generations Resorts by Karisma as well as a Top 10 Wedding Producers for Azul Hotels and Generations Resorts by Karisma. Additionally, Karisma honored Nancy Finn – a Diamond Level 5 agent who sells Karisma Hotels & Resorts exclusively – with the Hall of Fame recognition for her significant difference to Karisma Hotels & Resorts throughout the course of the year, resulting in an overall increase in business. This award is collectively given on behalf of all employees with great pride.
Karisma Hotels & Resorts also recognized five of its top performing agents with the newly appointed Elite status, including: Thomas Carr from All Inclusive Outlet; Brittany Schiffler from Destination Weddings Travel Group; Matt Soloway from Luxe Destination Weddings; Sandra Lombardi from Red Tag Vacations; and Jennifer Doncsecz from VIP Vacations Inc. The PISCIS Award, new this year and representing partnership, innovation, support, creativity, integrity and service to all of us, recognized the following tour operator partners for their ongoing support and commitment: American Airlines Vacations, Classic Vacations, Exclusive Group Travel, Gogo Worldwide Vacations, MLT Vacations, Pleasant Holidays, The Market Travel Corporation, Travel Impressions, and Vacation Express in the U.S. and Air Canada Vacations, Transat Holidays, and WestJet Vacations in Canada.
“Karisma Hotels & Resorts was proud to host the eighth annual Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant Awards and Sales & Marketing Forum, recognizing the exceptional work of the industry’s top travel professionals,” said Mandy Chomat, vice president of sales & marketing for Karisma Hotels & Resorts. “It was an extraordinary year that included the debut of the Nickelodeon Experience at Azul Hotels, El Dorado Seaside Suites, and Agave Acanto, Karisma’s first Allure property in Mexico and fourth property within the brand’s emerging portfolio. These milestones were made possible with the unwavering commitment by our loyal travel agent partners – this year’s GIVC Awards provided an opportunity to celebrate and show our thanks.”
The four-day event also offered those in attendance a first look at some of the collection’s latest news and upcoming announcements. 2016 will be another significant year for Karisma Hotels & Resorts with the opening of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana on May 1, over-the-ocean suites at El Dorado Maroma in summer, expansion of El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Generations Resorts by Karisma to Mexico’s West Coast, the start of construction at Azul Seven by Karisma in Negril, Jamaica and development at Sandcastle, encompassing 226 acres on 1.4 miles of beachfront in Jamaica’s Ocho Rios. Additionally, Karisma Hotels & Resorts invited all attending Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultants to celebrate the opening of the new El Dorado Seaside Suites with a ribbon cutting ceremony on December 10.
Launched in 2008, the Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant Program is limited to an elite group of travel agents who are obligated to meet specific standards and requirements in order to exceed extremely high expectations with regard to customer service and support. Not only do Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultants receive benefits from the program – from marketing tools to added incentives to offer consumers – but also travelers who book a vacation with the specialized agents are privy to exclusive deals and on-property VIP recognition, among other advantages. The ninth annual Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant Awards will be held in winter 2016.
Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ Gourmet Inclusive® Experience is carefully catered to guests that prefer quality over quantity. At Karisma Hotels & Resorts, guests will enjoy programming for all ages from world-renowned partners; unrivaled culinary experiences; 24-hour room service; beach beds; and much more – all part of the renowned Gourmet Inclusive Experience® that has set a new standard for the world’s finest travel.
About Karisma Hotels & Resorts
Karisma Hotels & Resorts, an award-winning luxury hotel collection which owns and manages properties in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, comprises an impressive portfolio including El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels, Azul Hotels & Villas by Karisma, Generations Resorts by Karisma, and Allure Hotels by Karisma. Properties have been honored with the industry’s top accolades including Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 100 Hotels in the World,” Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 20 Hotels in Mexico,” Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 30 Hotels in Cancun,” TripAdvisor® Traveler’s Choice “Best Hotels for Romance,” AAA’s “Five Diamond Award,” AAA’s “Four Diamond Award,” and The Diners Club ® 50 Best Discovery Series. Karisma has received worldwide recognition for its creative approach to hospitality management and product innovations. For reservations and a full list of Karisma properties, please visit www.karismahotels.com.
Media Contacts: Jenn Wade, Nicole Kraft and Dina Rosenberg at J. Wade Public Relations at karismapr@jwadepr.com or 415-325-5519.