Business Development

Raymond M. Francis

East Bay Street

Nassau, Bahamas

Tel: 868-***-**** Trinidad & Tobago 242-***-**** Nassau, Bahamas

raymond@chmc bahamas.com

EXECUTIVE LEVEL MANAGEMENT

Startups & Turnarounds Marketing & Technology Leadership Business Process Improvement

Hospitality & Tourism professional with over 30 years of experience in business development, process

efficiency and stimulating bottom line growth for small and medium size enterprises and mix use hotel

developments. Caribbean Hotelier spanning multiple island destinations and hospitality sectors, within

regional and domestic (Bahamas) markets. Career path include blend of private/public partnership policy

development and leadership in multi cultural environments across small island host communities of Trinidad

& Tobago; Negril, Jamaica; Tortola, BVI, Dominica and the Out Islands of The Bahamas.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Marketing management:

Certified Travel Counselor (CTC)

Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive (CHME)

Hotel management:

Cornell University (Professional Development)

American Hotel Motel Lodging Association (Certification)

Certified Hospitality Department Trainer (CHDT)

University of Miami (Management Development)

Caribbean tourism industry:

Hospitality Assured Advisor – Caribbean Tourism Organization

Cluster Management Certification– IDB/Compete Caribbean

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Hotel Operations Cluster Management Shared Ownership Investment Stakeholder Management

P & L Management Market Growth Analysis Business Forecasting Destination Marketing Digital Platforms

Public/Private Partnerships Travel Distribution Key Account Management Performance Management

CAREER PROGRESSION

Executive Director, Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board, Nassau, Bahamas

2009 – 2014

Provide Executive Leadership to Destination Marketing Organization at the Board level, under Public/Private

Partnership with The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. Led all administration and Board activities for fifty (50)

hotel members, contributing 6% resort levies under the auspices of the Minister of Tourism to fund FY

2013/2014 operating budget of 2.5 million dollars. Hotel membership total 33% of room supply across nine (9)

major Islands.

Hotel Consultant, Inter American Development Bank, Islands of the Bahamas

2007 2009

Provided business assessments to influence international competitiveness of 190 Out Island hotels licensed by

the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, under the Sustainable Tourism Entrepreneurial Management & Marketing

Project Network. Delivered Hospitality Assured business excellence framework for 35 small to mid size hotels

averaging 15 available rooms. Worked with IDB/IMF Technical Co operation support fund, adopting project

management inputs from IICA frameworks and the AgRu matrix model.

Hotel Consultant, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Islands of the Bahamas

2005 – 2007

Diagnostic consultancy project for small hotel/resort management operations in the Out Islands of The

Bahamas. Assignment scope required multiple island visits for onsite and independent evaluations using

approved survey instruments. The consultancy overall objectives were specific to small hotels branding and

leadership training for hotel owners/managers, towards adopting OAS Small Tourism Enterprise Programme

(STEP) for hotels under 75 rooms in tandem with The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Small Hotels Unit.

General Manager, Jungle Bay Resort & Spa, Delice, Dominica

2004 – 2005

Directed departmental pre opening operations with staffing guides for 35 employees in eight (8) months with

no staff turnover. Provided team leadership within learning organization structure, to recruit and train talent

from rural communities with no hospitality industry training in preparation for Eco Resort and Wellness

Center opening in two months. Oversaw the purchase, shipping and receiving of hotel supplies within budget.

Maintained benchmarks and sustainable development standards to international regulatory standards for 35

cottages.

General Manager, Prospect Reef Resort & Spa, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

2002 – 2004

Recruited by family owned Romney Group of Companies, to turnaround failing time share resort property of

11 acre oceanfront estate included overall management of 137 rooms, conference and marina facility with two

restaurants to service 1.2 million dollar debt restructuring under lease management.

Assistant General Manager, Radisson Cable Beach Resort & Golf Club, Nassau, Bahamas

2001 – 2002

Re appointed to Executive Committee of government owned hotel to transition from Radisson International

brand/flag with declining market share and increased franchise fees, directed regional (Caribbean) corporate

group sales strategy for government and association room nights, where U.S and UK/Europe group business

(demand) were soft during summer and fall months.

General Manager, Mt. Irvine Bay Hotel & Golf Club, Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago

1999 – 2001

Delivered CRM strategy to retain repeat UK/Europe golf groups and repeat visitors. This long established full

service hotel in Tobago had lost market share to new mix use development and luxury all inclusive resort.

Directed revenue enhancement initiatives in Food & Beverage operations, targeting corporate meetings for 10

30 attendees from the Trinidad business community and Golf Membership Clubs.

General Manager, Negril Cabins Resort, Negril, Jamaica

1997 – 1999

GM engagement and ownership brief expansion plans for 50 new built cabins in two years, supported by an

aggressive multi level travel distribution strategy to maintain 70 – 85% occupancy to finance capital

project/construction.

Engaged management team to establish ‘Green Team’ under EAST Project initiative with funding from

USAID to gain leisure travel market share in targeted ‘niche market’, towards industry recognition as “First

Green Globe certified hotel in the Caribbean”. The brand recognition and accolades from this attainment,

heightened local and international PR opportunities in the German and Italian markets.

Assistant Manager, Sandals Negril Resort & Spa, Negril, Jamaica

1996 – 1997

Led Front of House and Concierge team of 25 direct and indirect reports, to deliver Ultra Luxury experience

from resort arrival to departure.

Resort Manager, Coco Reef Resort & Spa, Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago

1995 1996

Served as hotel operator liaison between local regulatory agencies and tourism stakeholders to contract with

major UK/Europe Tour Operators/Wholesalers for 120 room ‘five star spa resort’.

Delivered turn key hotel operations for re furbished property governed by tri part investment group within 8

months. Project funded under Private/Public Partnership heads of agreement.

Established supply chain management system for pre opening activities under zero based budgeting guidelines.

Collaborated with project construction team and the developer, to assess restoration cost assumptions for hotel

systems did not exceed 5 million TT$.

Executive Director of Sales, Myers Group, Nassau, Bahamas

1993 – 1995

700 rooms Resort and Conference center. Led Sales & Marketing initiatives under the Myers Group

Management Company to maintain Standard Operating Procedures for affiliate resorts under the Carlson

Companies and Radisson International.

Hotel Operations/Sales & Marketing, Resorts International (Bahamas), Nassau, Bahamas

1981 – 1993

Managed Front Office operations for 1200 room casino & conference resort.

Progressed through positions from Front Office, Hotel Operations and Sales & Conventions.

Education

Professional Masters of Management (Hospitality and Tourism) IMCA/REVANS University

Diploma Aquinas College Nassau, Bahama

References

Will be provided upon request.

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