EL DORADO ROYALE, A SPA RESORT, BY KARISMA IN RIVIERA MAYA, MEXICO HOSTS 160 GOURMET INCLUSIVE® VACATION CONSULTANTS TO CELEBRATE TOP PERFORMING TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS
MIAMI (December 8, 2014) — 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 7thAnnual 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 Producer 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, Top Tour Operators in the U.S. and Canada, Five Diamond 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 3 - 6, 2014, hosted 160 of the most accomplished Gourmet Inclusive® Vacation Consultants from around the world along with 250 guests overall.
Karisma Hotels & Resorts concluded the event by revealing the highly anticipated winners of the Gourmet Inclusive® Vacation Consultant Awards. The event's most prestigious winner was Jennifer Doncsecz from VIP Vacations Inc., who received the Hall of Fame Award along with the Five Diamond Award, Top 10 Wedding Producers Azul Hotels by Karisma Award, Top 10 Wedding Producers for El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels by Karisma Award and Top 10 Producers Azul Hotels by Karisma Award. Most notably, The Hall of Fame recognition is given to the individual who has made a 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.
Other stand out partners from this year's Gourmet Inclusive® Vacation Consultant Awards were Destination Weddings Travel Group and Beach Bum Vacation Agency, which had 38 and 25 agents honored, respectively. Karisma Hotels & Resorts also recognized 20 of its top performing agents with "Five Diamond" status, including: Thomas Carr from All Inclusive Outlet; Amy Lewis from Beach Bum Vacation; Hayley Whorrall from Beach Bum Vacation; Mimi Comfort from Cruise Holidays; Brittany Schiffler from Destination Weddings Travel Group; Shelli Nornes from Destination Weddings Travel Group; Lisa Pease from Fox World Travel; Burt Kramer from KHM Travel Group; Nicki Squittieri from Legacy Travel; Terrah Rominger from Legacy Travel; Matt Soloway from Luxe Destination Weddings; Nancy Finn from My Island Getaways; Tina Hearn from Paradise Weddings and Travel; Kim Crosby from SunLovers Travel; Sarah Bonsall from Sunset Travel; Pamela Walker from Tier One Travel; Michael Schellhase from Travel Haus of St. Louis; Sally Jane Smith from TravelSmiths, Inc.; Emily Fisher from VIP Vacations Inc. and Jennifer Doncsecz from VIP Vacations Inc.
"Karisma Hotels & Resorts is honored to host the seventh 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. "This past year has been especially exciting with the announcement of a landmark partnership with Viacom International Media Networks to bring exclusive Nickelodeon Vacation Experiences to Azul Hotels by Karisma. Additionally, we debuted a $40 million expansion of Azul Fives by Karisma and unveiled Allure Caramel in Belgrade, Serbia—Allure Hotels' first property in Europe. Our success is unmatched due in large part to the loyalty and dedication of our esteemed travel agent partners."
The four-day event also presented an opportunity for Karisma Hotels & Resorts to offer the attending Gourmet Inclusive®Vacation Consultants a first look at some of the collection's latest news and upcoming announcements. 2015 will be another eventful year for Karisma Hotels & Resorts with the expansion of two properties - Azul Sensatori Jamaica and Azul Fives Hotel, the unveiling of the Nickelodeon Vacation Experiences at Azul Hotels, top chefs from Canada coming together for the second Canadian Beef Culinary Series, hosting the third annual Jackson Family Wines Culinary Series and much more. Additionally, Karisma Hotels & Resorts invited all attending Gourmet Inclusive® Vacation Consultants to celebrate the expansion of Azul Fives Hotel and the debut of the new Essence Section at a ribbon cutting ceremony on December 6.
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 eighth annual Gourmet Inclusive® Vacation Consultant Awards will be held in fall/winter 2015.
With the Gourmet Inclusive® experience, Karisma Hotels & Resorts - including the adults-only El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and family-friendly Azul Hotels & Villas and Generations Resorts - offers indulgent pampering with unparalleled personal services such as champagne and smoothie check-ins, full-service concierge, 24-hour room service, world-class chefs, gourmet cuisine served a la carte and sommeliers who suggest perfect pairings from private label wine selections.
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 30 Hotels in Cancun," TripAdvisor® Traveler's Choice "Best Hotels for Romance," AAA's "Five Diamond Award," and AAA's "Four Diamond Award." 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: Alexandra McClure, Molly Leibowitz, Dina Rosenberg or Hilary Burns at Glodow Nead Communications, 415.394.6500, karismapr@glodownead.com.