Despite Sales Layoffs, Karisma Remains Committed to Canada
by Jessica Montevago
A Karisma executive says Canada is a strategic area of focus for the brand, thanks to the strong year-over-year growth that it expects will continue.
After laying off two members of its Canadian sales team, Karisma Hotels & Resorts reaffirmed its commitment its travel agent community in Canada.
Karisma confirmed to Travel Market Report the layoffs of Mireille Moutou, director of business development for Quebec and the Maritimes; and Debbie Girard, regional sales and marketing manager for Western Canada.
“While there have been a few recent changes, we are very proud of our team focused on Canada,” said Kelly Poling, CEO of Premier Worldwide Marketing, the exclusive worldwide representatives for Karisma Hotels & Resorts.
The team still includes Senior Director of Retail Sales North America Marilyn Cairo; Director of Sales Gabriel Rodriguez, who has been at the helm in Canada for more than three years and is based in Toronto; and Sales Executive Maddie Blouin, who is on the ground in Mexico and serves as a support for Canadian agents.
According to Poling, Canada has been an increasing area of strategic focus for Karisma, thanks to the strong year-over-year growth it expects to continue.
Karisma has more than 300 Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultants (GIVC), its designated specialists, in Canada and “will continue to work tirelessly to support and invest in these agents so they receive the full benefits of the GIVC program along with perks exclusive to Canadian agents, such as Karisma Canada Cash.”
Karisma owns and manages properties in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. Its brand portfolio includes El Dorado Spa Resorts by Karisma, Azul Beach Resorts by Karisma, Generations Resorts by Karisma, Karisma Villas, Allure Hotels by Karisma, and Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts, among others.
“We are grateful for the strong relationships built over the past decade and look forward to furthering our partnerships with agents and operators in Canada over the coming months and years as Karisma introduces exciting new properties and initiatives,” said Poling.
