Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Training
Languages
Timeline
Generic
Jose Felipe Santos

Jose Felipe Santos

Travel Expert
Greenacres,USA

Summary

Owner of a retail and wholesale travel agency in Palm Beach County, Florida since 1988, with the major focus in international travel. Developed strategic Business Plan for a major Tour Operator in Brazil and Israel. Responsible for contracting major corporate accounts for the retail travel agency owned by the same group as the tour operator. Negotiated contracts with all suppliers (mostly hotels) in the USA. Organized and managed the sales team for both organizations. Proven senior-level experience in executive decision making, policy direction, financial and personal management. Increased the sales revenue from several countries in South America. Committed to the highest level of professional and personal excellence. Since 2014 became partners with Genesis Tours Israel to sell group travel and FIT to the Bible Lands (Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Portugal, France, Italy and Mediterranean Cruises) in the North American market. Because the COVID-19 Pandemic, dissolved the partnership with Genesis Tours Israel and went back to my original company, Universal Cruises and Travel doing the same business as Genesis Tours North America.

Corporate leader with strong background in strategic business management and partnership development. Proven ability to drive growth and foster collaboration within teams. Known for adaptability and results-driven mindset, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Result-driven business leader with proven track record in strategic planning, operational excellence, and financial management. Skilled in fostering team collaboration, driving growth initiatives, and adapting to evolving business needs. Known for strong leadership, effective communication, and focus on achieving measurable results. Proficient in decision-making, conflict resolution, and leveraging market opportunities to maximize profitability.

Overview

51
51
years of professional experience

Work History

Managing Partner

UNIVERSAL CRUISES AND TRAVEL
06.2020 - Current
  • Started the operations of this retail travel agency and tour operator to develop the sales of groups and FIT to the Bible Lands destination: Israel, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Italy, France, Portugal, and Mediterranean Cruises, in the North American market.

Managing Partner

GENESIS TOURS NORTH AMERICA
07.2014 - 06.2020
  • Started the operations of this retail travel agency and tour operator to develop the sales of groups and FIT to the Bible Lands destination: Israel, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Italy, France, Portugal, and Mediterranean Cruises, in the North American market.

Owner

UNIVERSAL TRAVEL
01.1994 - 01.2014
  • Started the company from scratch and developed it to be one of the leaders in selling airline tickets to Brazil in the USA for Varig Airlines, TAM Airlines and Transbrasil Airlines.
  • Developed the business and marketing plans to reach the "ethnic" market, group market and corporate market to Brazil.
  • Top seller for Transbrasil Airlines in the years of 1999 and 2000.
  • Top seller for Varig Airlines in 2000 and 2001.
  • Top seller for TAM Airlines in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
  • Developed a strategy to launch the company in the Internet working closely to the webmaster that developed the company's website selling Central and South America as tourist destination, specifically the following countries: Costa Rica, Panama, Equador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and BRAZIL as the main destination country.
  • Used the domain name: www.travel2brazil.com
  • Also developed an excellent group business to these destinations

General Manager

TRAVEL AMERICA SERVICES
01.1988 - 01.1994
  • Designed a business plan and operating procedures for the whole company.
  • Negotiated wholesale agreements with over 200 suppliers.
  • Increased the number of clients in South America from 10 to 180 companies.
  • Attended major travel shows as a buyer for the company, such as: Pow Wow; La Cumbre de Turismo; Florida Huddle; ABAV (Brazil); Braztoa (Brazil); Cotal; etc...

Tour operation (booking and organizing groups and FITs)

TRAVEL SERVICE BRAZIL
01.1986 - 01.1988
  • Assisted the retail travel agencies (clients) in the booking of Groups and FITs.
  • Designed customized itineraries for the specific needs of the traveler.
  • Help in coordinating the group series in the USA (based in Florida).
  • Established strong relationships with local businesses and tourism boards, securing beneficial partnerships for the company.
  • Designed custom itineraries for clients seeking personalized travel experiences, leading to an increase in referrals and recommendations.
  • Developed innovative tour packages for increased sales and repeat business, catering to diverse clientele needs.
  • Increased revenue by creating targeted marketing campaigns that showcased unique selling points of various tours.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality experiences and addressing client concerns promptly.
  • Improved tour operations efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing effective team management strategies.
  • Optimized scheduling practices for efficient staff deployment across multiple tours while minimizing overtime costs.
  • Championed the use of feedback surveys to gather insights on customer preferences, leading to continuous improvements in tour offerings.

Data Communication Division Manager

NACIONAL INFORMÁTICA
01.1983 - 01.1986
  • Created and developed the Data Communication Division for the company, from hiring to developing a business plan for the division.
  • Responsible for purchasing all the equipment needed to develop the Data Communication Network for the company.
  • Trained the personnel in the operation and maintenance of the network equipment.

Regional Technical Manager

DIGIREDE INFORMÁTICA
01.1982 - 01.1983
  • This company was the first Brazilian manufacturer of mini-computers used in Banking Automation.
  • Developed from scratch and managed the Field Service Division for the whole Rio de Janeiro branch.
  • Provided support and training for the Field Engineers of the division.

Field Engineer Manager

DATAPOINT INFORMÁTICA
01.1979 - 01.1982
  • Developed the Field Engineer Division for the branch in Rio de Janeiro.
  • Responsible for hiring, training and supporting the whole division's staff.
  • Negotiated technical contracts with all the clients.
  • Responsible for purchasing all the computer parts and components needed for performing the best customer service and satisfaction.

Field Engineer

BURROUGHS ELETRÔNICA
01.1975 - 01.1979
  • Admitted right out of Technical School (Electronics).
  • Started as a Trainee and worked up to Specialist in Magnetic Media and Data-communications. Giving support to the whole country in these areas.

Education

Master's Degree in Divinity (not completed) -

Asbury Theological Seminary
01.2001

B.S. - Electronics

Universidade Santa Úrsula
01.1978

Skills

  • Speaks and writes fluently: Portuguese, English and Spanish
  • Some knowledge of French
  • Use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access)
  • Use of Apple computers and software
  • Use of Contact Manager Software
  • Use of a GDS system (Amadeus)
  • Revenue growth
  • Strategic planning
  • Operations management
  • Financial administration
  • Business development expertise
  • Cost reduction
  • Industry networking
  • Ethical leadership
  • Forecasting
  • Firm financial oversight

Training

  • - Human Relations in the workplace.
  • - Time Management.
  • - QuickBooks software.
  • - TRAMS back-office system.
  • - Participated in several Sales and Marketing seminars.
  • - Business by the Book seminar.
  • - Computer skills training.

Languages

Spanish
Native or Bilingual
French
Limited Working
English
Native or Bilingual
Portuguese
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Managing Partner

UNIVERSAL CRUISES AND TRAVEL
06.2020 - Current

Managing Partner

GENESIS TOURS NORTH AMERICA
07.2014 - 06.2020

Owner

UNIVERSAL TRAVEL
01.1994 - 01.2014

General Manager

TRAVEL AMERICA SERVICES
01.1988 - 01.1994

Tour operation (booking and organizing groups and FITs)

TRAVEL SERVICE BRAZIL
01.1986 - 01.1988

Data Communication Division Manager

NACIONAL INFORMÁTICA
01.1983 - 01.1986

Regional Technical Manager

DIGIREDE INFORMÁTICA
01.1982 - 01.1983

Field Engineer Manager

DATAPOINT INFORMÁTICA
01.1979 - 01.1982

Field Engineer

BURROUGHS ELETRÔNICA
01.1975 - 01.1979

B.S. - Electronics

Universidade Santa Úrsula

Master's Degree in Divinity (not completed) -

Asbury Theological Seminary
Jose Felipe SantosTravel Expert
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