Recommend May2017 - 62

Celebrating 50 Years of Helping Travel Agents Sell Travel

Melia Hotels & Resorts
"Melia has made
people realize that
all-inclusives don't
have to be so basic.
Once I ask a client if
they want to stay at an
all-inclusive, they ask
for Melia. Once they've
been there once, I don't
have to talk them into
going again."
- Stephanie Maher, Travel
Consultant, Lorraine Travel,
a Signature Travel Partner

Melia Braco Village

"As the largest resort chain in the
world, Melia Hotels International
(MHI) has definitely impacted the
vacation segment worldwide," says
Jurgen Stutz, MHI's v.p. of sales,
marketing & distribution for The
Americas. Melia Hotels & Resorts, the
largest group of hotels within the MHI
company, consists of approximately
150 hotels throughout Europe, Asia,
and the Caribbean. However, there's
no reason to stop at 150. The brand
is continuously growing. "MHI is on
a very ambitious growth path-we
are adding about one hotel every two
weeks," notes Stutz. Adding that, "The
ultimate goal of the company is to
strengthen our position and become the
best resort chain worldwide."

Raising the Standards

"We recently completed a process
of brand vision for Melia Hotels &
Resorts," says Stutz, "which will unveil
a completely new look for the brand
and will introduce new attributes and
enhancements that will be rolled out
in the short term. The ultimate goal
is to make Melia Hotels & Resorts
more competitive in the Americas
62 may 2017

region, where we are competing within
a very aggressive all-inclusive resort
market. These changes will also allow
us to better compete in the U.S. as
we continue to look at expansion
opportunities."
The company will also be rebranding
a few all-inclusive resorts in the
Caribbean. Stutz mentions that the
rebranding will "better position them
against our competition and offer a
better defined hotel product to our
guests, ultimately enhancing their
vacation experience." Also on the list
to stay competitive is the development
of programs focused on health and wellbeing, which Stutz says they "hope can
be extended beyond the time our guests
stay with us-something that they can
take home and continue using in their
day-to-day lives."
In addition, a new VIP service for
its properties will also be unveiled
this year, offering adults-only services
called the Sanctuary. This new, highly
personalized service focusing on the
adult traveler will roll out at the end
of 2017 at some of the all-inclusives in
the Caribbean.

The Agent Relationship

Stephanie Maher, travel consultant
with Lorraine Travel, a Signature Travel
partner, believes Melia is on top of its
game when it comes to working with
agents and meeting her clients' needs.
"I think the product is fabulous.
As long as it continues with this
progressive thinking and not fall the
way the other all-inclusives have
started getting," she says. "I have such
a good rapport.... I call my sales rep
on the phone and she helps me out
immediately. I don't have to go through
hoops; it's easy."
Stutz points to Melia's education
program for keeping agents informed
on the brand. "We have continued
to educate our travel agents through
innovative training programs such
as MeliaPro to provide them with
the necessary tools and knowledge to
sell Melia Hotels & Resorts to their
clients," he says.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Melia Hotels & Resorts
Tel: (800) 33MELIA
Website: melia.com

recommend.com
http://www.melia.com http://www.recommend.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend May2017
