United Arab Emirates
I have extensive international sales and marketing experience in multi-national companies spanning for more than 25 years. I have been working in Dubai for the past 19 years; coming in 1997 as Marketing Manager for Emirates Airlines and holding that position for nearly 10 years, so I have a solid understanding of the business environment in this part of the world. I left my native UK in 1988 and have spent the past 28 years following my career in hotel management, travel and tourism; working overseas in key managerial capacities in UK, Australia, London, Seychelles, Mauritius and Dubai. I am currently freelancing and managing various projects but looking for the 'perfect role' to get back into full-time employment in my chosen career of Travel and Tourism. I come with a comprehensive knowledge of the hospitality and tourism business as a whole; with 15 years international hotel management experience prior to coming to Dubai. Since then, my time with Emirates, in addition to further developing my proficiency in marketing and communications has given me a thorough understanding of both the outbound and inbound side of the travel industry as well as a solid grounding of the airline industry. I bring with me more than 20 years of invaluable international personal contacts of the most influential people in the tourism business and a solid understanding of what is required to make a destination or a business a success. Specialties: • Totally dedicated, honest, enthusiastic professional • Marketing, PR, communications, sales, business development, • Developing new products/destinations from concept stage to deliver successful returns • Strong negotiation skills, problem solving, decision making and organisational qualities • Creates a high level of trust and commitment to deliver win-win situations • Strong coaching abilities, mentoring and having a confident, motivated team • Copy writing, proof reading, design layout and creative building of collateral
• 2016 - Developed an online service delivery business. Drew up the strategy, defined marketing goals (plan), created branding, built a website, Facebook page, personally handle all social media and communications channels, marketing, finance and operations. • 2014 - 2015 Chairperson PTFA Star International School. Organising/running events, fundraising for the school and various charities in Dubai and overseas. • 2013 – 2014 Store Manager, Lingerie Boutique – New independent business; 1 year of operation. Took on this role on a short term full-time basis in order to review business practices, develop online/social media presence, train staff and improve productivity, profitability and customer loyalty of this developing brand. • 2009 – 2016 Contracted for various consulting and freelance projects including: • Feasibility study for a private company to consider potential financial investment to open up a new DMC in Dubai – produced a business plan for both a fully fledged operation - FIT and M.I.C.E and a MICE only ‘white label’ type option. • Feasibility study for the potential expansion of a new restaurant chain into the GCC market. • Conducted full business review for a chain of travel agents based in Abu Dhabi with branch offices in Al Ain and Dubai. Included conducting a mystery shopper exercise, providing full business assessment, analysis of staffing, location, branding, positioning, footfall analysis, sales and marketing, highlighting potential growth opportunities, possible shop relocation and the development of social media presence. • 2008 – 2009 Property Consultant, The Property Shop LLC – developed a well respected reputation, established strong presence in the leasing market. 2006 - 2008 Set up my own business. Delivered turnkey interior decorating solutions to set-up companies on an independent basis.
Responsible for developing and managing the following markets to creatively drive sales in order to achieve targeted revenues, pax numbers and yields. Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Malta, Eastern Europe, FYR, Czech Republic, C.I.S. Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Far East including South East Asia, mainland Asia including India, Japan, Korea, China and Latin America. With a speciality in pre-launching and launching then developing new markets namely; Japan, Russia, New Zealand, Spain. Development of business from new and existing regions by effectively creating brand awareness through advertising, participation in Travel Trade fairs, workshops and promoting our products and services in the field through direct sales calls. Responsible for the development and production of all printed material and marketing collateral, this included copy writing, layout and producing the creative briefs for each project. Prepare the annual budget (pax, revenue and yield) for the different market segments and subsequently prepare a marketing and media plan for each market. ACHIEVEMENTS: Consistently exceeded annual budgets for pax, revenue & yield and constantly achieved a year on year growth of over 50%. Introduced and developed new markets ahead of the Airline commencing routes: Japan; Russia; New Zealand; Spain; Czech Republic and Latin America which generated considerable business, whilst also substantially increasing the existing major markets, namely: Germany; Italy; Switzerland; Australia Produced detailed market analysis and continually evaluated emerging industry trends to ensure that we provided the right services to capture and retain the most successful business partners within that market. Capitalised on my 15 years of international networking within the travel and tourism industry to secure new partners and strengthen existing ones.
Responsible for providing marketing support on leisure products to Emirates Area offices within my assigned territory (Europe, North America & Africa), to creatively drive sales from these territories in order to achieve targeted revenues pax and yields. Accountable for generating business into my territories by implementing a successful promotion strategy and ensuring effective training of the products across the network. Select and develop leisure products, including introducing new destinations for inclusion in the Emirates Holidays ‘World of Choice’ brochure, to increase revenue earning possibilities whilst adhering to budgeted costs. Responsible for the development, production and accuracy of all printed material including brochures, destination leaflets, newsletters, in-flight magazines and any other marketing collateral required. Obtain advertising support from the different suppliers across the network to contribute to bottom-line production costs. Establish and maintain a network of contacts within National Tourist Organisations, the Travel Trade and within the International Tour Operating industry, to obtain support in promoting their countries, obtain statistical data, market feedback and market trends. ACHIEVEMENTS: Produced and launched the first dedicated brochure for U.S.A. and introduced new destinations in Africa and Europe. Opened up branded retail offices in Turkey, Cyprus and Greece.
Responsible for the production, planning and execution of the annual sales and marketing plan for this 200 room, 5* deluxe hotel to achieve budgeted revenues and desired market mix. Plan, prepare and co-ordinate the production and implementation of the annual media campaign and the production of brochures and all marketing collateral. Direct and manage the sales force to achieve budgeted revenues. Extensive international travel to attend trade fairs and meet with overseas partners; both existing and new, to achieve budgeted targets. ACHIEVEMENTS: Consistently exceeded budgeted targets set by the Corporate Head Office. Increased hotel occupancy by more than 30% to achieve an annual average of 93% and increased Average Room Rate by more than 40%. Expanded the groups and incentive business exponentially. Introduced the all-inclusive concept which became a huge success.
Responsible for the production and execution of the annual sales & marketing plan including the annual media campaign for this 173 room, 5* hotel. Plan, co-ordinate and implement all sales promotional activity on a local & international level. Maintain a strong public relations policy with local and international partners. Responsible for the production of all brochures and marketing collateral from concept stage to print. ACHIEVEMENTS: Produced Sales and Marketing Plan for Indian Ocean prior to Berjaya opening their chain of hotels as a result many corporate decisions were based on my recommendations. Represented Berjaya Seychelles group of hotels at international trade fairs.