Forbes.com recently published a story titled the "25 Most Influential Women in Travel" written by Melissa Biggs Bradley. The article featured successful and innovative women from all corners of the travel trade but, as usual, I was particularly interested in representation from the hotel industry.
Congrats to all five of these amazing people!
Georgia Kirsner
Vice President, Travel Industry Sales, Ritz-Carlton "If travel agents could have just one wish, it would be that hotels give their clients the star treatment. Kirsner knows that a happy customer is a return customer, which is why she introduced the Ritz-Carlton's STARS program, reserved exclusively for top trav- el agencies working with the company. Selected agents have access to a password-protected website for booking. In addition to the attentive service accorded Ritz-Carlton guests, STARS clients are monitored by a designated "guardian angel" at each property for even more personalized attention."
Christie Hicks
Senior Vice President, Global Sales, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide "In her current position, Hicks directs more than 250 global senior sales associates and is responsible for $3.2 billion in annual revenue. The hospitality industry has recognized her business acuity: Acknowledgments by her peers have included the Vision Award from NYSAE and the PCMA Professional Achievement Award."
Kathleen "Katie" Taylor
President and COO, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts "In her nearly two decades with Four Seasons, Taylor has helped grow the 48-year-old Toronto-based company into one of the finest hotel brands in the world. She oversees all of its global operations, making sure the company's 76 properties in 32 countries maintain a consistent standard of excellence. Any Four Seasons loyalist can attest that it's working; despite the wild expansion in the number of luxury properties in the past decade, the brand more than holds its own."
Michelle White
Director of Environmental Affairs, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts "As the children's song goes, it's not easy being green--especially if you're a huge international chain like Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. That hasn't stopped White from helping the brand take a leadership role in addressing such industrywide challenges as improving water conservation and waste management, as well as increasing the use of alternative energy. The hospitality field will be closely watching the innovative Fairmont Green Partnership program."
Vivian Deuschl
Corporate Vice President for Public Relations, Ritz-Carlton "Deuschl's roots are journalistic: She was a reporter in Texas and a newspaper editor in Taipei. As one of the highest-ranking female executives at Ritz-Carlton, where she has worked for the past two decades, Deuschl steers public relations strategy and has helped cement the venerable brand's reputation as a purveyor of modern luxury. Known for schooling reporters new to the travel beat, Deuschl has been honored three times with the Society of American Travel Writers' highest award. She served as spokesperson for the Travel Industry Association of America's 9/11 task force."
Chris Clarke - Vacant Ready Host ~ Chris worked in hotel management for 10 years until he become a hotel blogging zealot
while teaching hospitality management at a local college. Now he works full time developing hospitality social media.
Chris loves to find unique and entertaining angles in his hotel stories. A consummate hotel professional, he prefers to blog in his hotel robe and slippers (not stolen or course).
www.vacantready.com