LUIS E. CRUZ
Orlando,FL
Summary
Accomplished bilingual travel industry professional with extensive experience in airline sales, travel agency operations, and management of national key accounts. Recognized for cultivating successful partnerships with leading travel agencies, hotels, tourism boards, corporate clients, airlines, CVBs, and cruise companies. Proven ability to retain and enhance business relationships while driving growth through the acquisition of new accounts and the expansion of existing partnerships. Strong analytical mindset, exceptional attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering outstanding customer service.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Branch Manager
Windermere Travel, a Condado Travel Company (Virtuoso)
01.2017 - Current
- Manage office daily operations, supervise staff, administer state and legal affairs, along with real estate responsibilities.
- Handle Travel Advisor duties for this Orlando branch.
- Marketing duties include social media, digital, and traditional marketing.
- Develop and promote the agency's Virtuoso affiliation among current and potential clients via email blasts, social events and memberships.
Sales & Marketing Director
interCaribbean Airways
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Responsible for developing and increasing brand awareness for the rebranded airline.
- Boost sales efforts in all Caribbean markets served with 8 daily sales calls minimum.
- Managed and strengthened relationships with the travel sector via an in-your-face approach, trade shows, e-mail campaigns, digital marketing, public relations, Tourism Boards, CVBs, government institutions, press releases.
Sales Director
Condado Travel | American Express Global Business Travel
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Find and turn leads into new business accounts.
- Strengthen and further develop current account relationships.
- Main liaison between Condado Travel and AMEX’s Global Business Travel.
- Manage and maintain established KPI levels on service for all incoming, current, and future accounts.
Regional Sales & Marketing Manager
AirTran Airways
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Instrumental in positioning the carrier as a known and reliable option within the travel agency community and corporate accounts in P.R.
- Develop and deliver formal presentations to enhance brand and increase awareness, along with an in-your-face approach in Florida and the Caribbean.
- Increased Puerto Rico's point of sale productivity to over 50% in all markets serve; Baltimore, Atlanta and Orlando.
- Often served as company spokesperson in P.R.
Regional Accounts Manager
Continental Airlines
01.1995 - 01.2007
- Provided direction, motivation, and supervision to a sales team servicing the P.R. and USVI markets with oversight for recruiting, training, and performance evaluation while planning and executing business action plans.
- Acquired preferred carrier position with Merck, Sharp and Dohme, Becton Dickinson and Schering Plough, J&J, and Eaton.
- Led start-up operations for sales/service stations and launched carrier services in Jamaica, Curacao, Bonaire, Trinidad, St. Thomas, and Ponce, PR. Sourced and selected business site, recruited/trained staff, and managed business initiatives.
- Wrote script and directed the company’s first in-house Spanish language informational/educational video; a sales tool used throughout the Caribbean and LatAm region.
Education
BBA - Tourism
UNIVERSITY OF THE SACRED HEART
San Juan, PR12-1995
Skills
- Windows 11, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Salesforce, GDS
- Excellent time management skills
- Relationship building and management
- Attention to detail
- Excellent work ethic
- Verbal/written communication
Certification
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - Professional Sales Negotiations - Power Selling for Exhibitors – Virtuoso Network Advisor FEMA & NACHI Certified – Board Member, Children Charities Inc. - ASTA Member – APAV P.R.
Languages
Spanish
English
Timeline
Branch Manager
Windermere Travel, a Condado Travel Company (Virtuoso)
01.2017 - Current
Sales & Marketing Director
interCaribbean Airways
01.2015 - 01.2017
Sales Director
Condado Travel | American Express Global Business Travel
01.2011 - 01.2015
Regional Sales & Marketing Manager
AirTran Airways
01.2008 - 01.2011
Regional Accounts Manager
Continental Airlines
01.1995 - 01.2007
BBA - Tourism
UNIVERSITY OF THE SACRED HEART