Q: You worked for five years as vice president
of sales when ResortQuest was known as Aston Hotels & Resorts.
What drew you back to the company now?
A: I was offered an opportunity to join Kelvin
Bloom, a former boss whom I greatly admire, and his team, in an
exciting and growing company. ResortQuest Hawaii locally manages 28
hotels and all-suite condominium resorts presenting 5,000 units on
four islands. It’s a tremendous opportunity to join a strong
organization with the potential for great growth in the future.
Q: How has the company changed since you
left?
A: ResortQuest Hawaii is now part of a
nationwide resort management group that offers a wide variety of
properties throughout the U.S. and Canada. The resources our parent
company has invested in Hawaii demonstrate a strong commitment to
our destination.
Q: What do you think is the most dramatic
change in Hawaii’s visitor industry between then and now?
A: Today, e-commerce travel initiatives have
transcended the expectations of many people. In order to succeed
you must have information readily available for both travel agents
and consumers on the Internet and have an efficient Web-based
booking mechanism. We are in the process of updating our Web site
to include high-resolution virtual tours of every property
utilizing the newest technology. Travel agents and their clients
can literally “walk” throughout one of our hotels, which makes
their buying decision that much easier.
Q: What challenges await you in your new
position?
A: There is some concern about the Mainland
economy slowing somewhat in 2007. This could prove to be a
challenge to Hawaii’s tourism industry, with more rooms coming
online in 2007. Therefore, we need to be very strategic in our
sales and marketing efforts worldwide.
Q: After serving on the Hawaii Tourism
Authority (HTA) for four years, what do you think is critical for
the success of Hawaii as a destination?
A: I know how important it is for the HTA along
with the state to work closely with the airlines to ensure adequate
seat inventory to Hawaii. This isn’t easy, due to the lower yields
that Hawaii routes tend to generate. However, by diversifying the
visitor base and growing business tourism to new levels, we can
help bring those yields to more acceptable levels.
Q: What did you learn during your hiatus from
Aston/ResortQuest that will serve you well in your new job?
A: I learned to never rest on your laurels. As
an individual or as a destination, the key to success is providing
a level of service that ensures that the client feels appreciated
and valued, and recognizing that the client base as well as their
likes and dislikes continuously evolves.
