Mexico Dominican Republic Belize Jamaica Montenegro Serbia Magazine
From the perspective of:
Arlene Salazar
Vice President of Finance Prestige Travelers | 21 Years of Brilliant Career
Bojana Nikcevic
Project Finance Manager Karisma Hotels &Resorts | “Plotting dreams to financial realities”.
Good news to share:
Quality Management | Best Practices
Foundation Karisma | “Live without pain campaign”.
Dominican Republic We celebrate their independence!
Acknowledges:
The best of the best.
Digital Transformation |
Put into action
Kontacto Magazine Vol. 45 | Febrero 2024
From the perspective of:
Arlene Salazar
Vice President of Finance
Prestige Travelers | 21 Years of Brilliant Career
21 Years of Brilliant Career:
Arlene Salazar
Arlene Salazar, Vice President of Finance, Prestige Travelers, has been with the Group since 2003.
21 years ago, she joined as an accountant in the Controller’s area during the initial project and has gradually worked her way up to Vice President Finance.
Today, her role encompasses integrated financial management, including treasury, audit and internal control.
Her work extends to objective analysis of financial data, sharing it with all departments to establish future benchmarks.
Magazine
Vice President of Finance Prestige Travelers
Arlene’s commitment draws on a deep understanding of Karisma’s history and efforts, valuing innovation and the owners’ love of the business.
On a personal level, Arlene shares her secret to executive success: having clear goals and aligning them with daily actions.
She stresses the importance of courage, organisation and setting achievable goals, as well as commitment to the actions needed to achieve them.
He emphasises understanding what it takes to achieve a goal and being willing to take that path as a priority.
From his perspective, he interprets numbers in a broader context, not only focusing on sales, but also considering the financial, operational and brand impact.
Magazine
Arlene Salazar
Cultivating common sense, consolidating each department, forging synergy and fostering empathy are essential to building teams with a common goal.
Over many years, the company has pursued a variety of objectives, from growth to consolidation in existing markets, opening new markets and supporting hotels.
This commitment, established by Karisma Hotels & Resorts, is not limited to numerical goals; it is reciprocal, generating an internal environment of collaboration and cohesion over time.
Arlene Salazar Vice President of Finance Prestige Travelers
With a vision of Prestige Travelers strengthened, innovative and adapted to new technologies, Arlene anticipates a future of growth and overcoming challenges, while maintaining a commitment to excellence and constant evolution.
Magazine
From the perspective of:
Bojana Nikcevic Project Finance Manager Karisma Hotels &Resorts | “Plotting dreams to financial realities”.
“Plotting dreams to financial realities”.
What makes Bojana Nikcevic most passionate about her work in Finance is seeing how, from scratch, a piece of land or an idea materialises into a final product, which in her case are stunning hotels in paradisiacal destinations around the world.
Originally from Serbia, specifically Belgrade, Bojana is proud of her country, a beautiful corner of Eastern Europe.
From day one at Karisma Hotels & Resorts, she has been presented with unparalleled opportunities.
She started her career as a young woman with no experience in finance, progressively rising through the ranks in a company that is constantly growing.
From Europe, she was promoted to Financial Manager, taking responsibility not only for projects, but also for operational financial control.
She actively participated in the European consolidation and, as a result of her dedication, moved to her current position in Mexico.
Magazine
Bojana Nikcevic Project Finance Manager
His role involves financial oversight of new projects, with multiple destinations and projects to be analysed.
“My goal is to continually move forward, helping to create and transform high-end hospitality into something wonderful”.
Bojana Nikcevic
Spanish, although not initially her mother tongue, did not prove to be an insurmountable barrier.
Bojana appreciates the beauty of the language and notes its relative ease of learning, driven in part by the popularity of Mexican soap operas in Serbia during the 1990s.
Karisma Hotels & Resorts is known for having outstanding female leaders, and Bojana is grateful to call Mexico home.
Nikcevic She immerses herself in all budgets and capital flows, understanding the importance of where funds come from and where they go.
Her tenacity, a quality she attributes to her family, particularly her parents, is reflected in her career.
Bojana’s grandmother, who was successful in finance, also helped shape her path.
The people Bojana admires share a common denominator in her opinion: an insatiable desire to learn.
Working in an exceptional team and taking advantage of all the opportunities he has had in these six years are fundamental pillars in his path.
Magazine
Serbian greeting: Represents pride and identity.
Hernán Mota, Antonio Violante, Enrique Camacho, Mario Mathieu, Bojana Nikcevic, Mariel Hernández
Good news to share:
Quality Management | Best Practices
Foundation Karisma |
“Live without pain campaign”.
Quality Management
“The Journey of My Life”
The Foundation “Fuerza y Esperanza, Fe por uno más”, a non-profit civil association that benefits children, youth and seniors facing chronic diseases, in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.
They requested support from Azul Beach Resorts Cancun, and joined forces to help children in the programme, “The journey of my life” with the purpose of making the dreams of five brave warriors in their fight against cancer and other chronic diseases come true, creating an unforgettable and fantastic experience.
The warm welcome at Azul Beach Resorts Cancun, the opportunity to explore the sea becomes a meaningful gift, boosting the fighting spirits of these warriors.
The initiative seeks to leave a positive imprint on the lives of those facing difficult battles, bringing them moments of joy and hope.
During the audits carried out by Earth Check on 22 and 23 February 2024 at Margaritaville Riviera Cancun and Azul Beach Riviera Cancun, with a view to obtaining gold level certification; They recognised important best practices, including the “EKO Chameleon”.
Wearing a wrestler’s mask, he displays his skills in promoting sustainability policy and strict waste separation.
His mask changes colour according to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) he is reinforcing at the time.
The quality certification EarthCheck recognises the participation of the character “EKO Chameleon” as best practice.
Video
Obesity, accidents, musculoskeletal and joint wear and tear often lead to chronic pain.
Fundación Karisma, A.C., committed to our community and to the most vulnerable people, held the 6th edition of the “Live Without Pain” campaign from February 13th to 16th.
In this edition, we received 31 medical specialists from Mexico, United States, Peru, Colombia, and Dominican Republic, all of them participated in the care of 229 patients with 364 procedures under the supervision of internationally renowned specialists such as Dr. David Wang and Dr. Bjorn Eek, both great authors of articles on interventional medicine of chronic pain treatment by means of prolotherapy
We are grateful for the great support of our host hotel Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya, who provided their facilities to carry out the brigade and supported us with the best care for both the staff of the foundation, beneficiaries and invited doctors, who also enjoyed great moments in a brigade Karisma Hotels & Resorts style providing gourmet experiences, unique and unparalleled.
6th edition
“Live Without Pain”
The success of this campaign is due to the commitment of the entire team of the foundation, which was involved from the previous evaluation and preparation of the patients to be attended, as well as the day-to-day management and logistics of the agendas, facilitating the benefit for the population that needs it most.
229 patients
364 procedures under the supervision of leading specialists
Dominican Republic through Time: A Look at its Culture, Economy and Evolution since Independence.
In the 178 years since its independence, the Dominican Republic has undergone a fascinating evolution that has left a profound mark on its culture, economy and development.
This brief overview highlights some of the key milestones and statistics that have marked its trajectory.
Culture:
The Dominican Republic’s cultural diversity is manifested in its rich mix of Taino, African and European influences.
Over the years, music and dance, such as merengue and bachata, have resonated internationally, becoming cultural ambassadors for the country.
Dominican literature has also flourished, with writers such as Juan Bosch and Junot Díaz highlighting the nation’s unique identity.
Economy:
Since independence in 1844, the Dominican economy has undergone significant transformations. Initially based on agriculture, especially sugar production, the country has diversified its economy over time. Sectors such as tourism, free trade zones and remittances now play crucial roles.
With steady economic growth in recent decades, the Dominican Republic has attracted foreign investment and strengthened its position as one of the most dynamic economies in the region.
2.3 million tourists projected by the first quarter of 2024
Dominican Republic
We celebrate their independence!
Evolution since Independence:
The post-independence history of the Dominican Republic has been marked by periods of political instability and internal conflict.
However, the nation has managed to overcome challenges and move towards democratic stability.
Data show an increase in life expectancy, improvements in education and a reduction in poverty, indicating significant social advances.
A Look at Current Performance
By 2024, it has consolidated its position as one of the leading tourist destinations in the Caribbean. With a steadily increasing tourist influx, statistics reveal significant growth in international visitor arrivals, surpassing the records of previous years. The white sandy beaches, rich culture and Dominican hospitality continue to attract millions of tourists each year.
The diversification of tourism offerings, including ecotourism, nature adventures and luxury, has contributed to the expansion and sustainable development of the sector.
With a focus on the quality of the visitor experience and the preservation of the environment, the Dominican Republic remains a flagship destination for travellers from around the world, boosting its economy and projecting a vibrant and welcoming image globally.
enjoyable work environment.
best of the best.
The family atmosphere in which they work and strive to achieve great results stands out. Their success lies in their daily dedication and constant effort.
From pre-opening he specialises in tackling sargassum and looking after gardens.
His punctuality and dedication are exemplary, training the team and expanding his skills, such as becoming a fumigator to tackle termite infestations. He goes above and beyond his role, making sure everything works.
efforts, teamwork and ability to exceed expectations in all facets of his role.
Creates a welcoming environment, effectively managing staff and ensuring that clients receive high quality treatments tailored to their needs.
Possesses strong organisational skills, exceptional communication skills and a deep understanding of customer service.
David López Maintenance
Darko Vasic SPA Manager
honour. The experience has taught her to have an open mind to change, to always be available for the needs of the company, and to show initiative to stand out in her
them and always aiming for higher results has paid off. His main source of inspiration is his family.
as the best of the best on 3 occasions. For her, Prestige represents a company of opportunities and an exceptional working and professional environment. The secret to her success lies in discipline and
best of the best, after 1 year and 5 months in the company. His experience has been enriching as he has shared with people who have contributed significantly to his knowledge, allowing him to perform at his best.
KtalentMexico
KtalentJamaica KtalentEuropa
KtalentRepublicaDominicana KtalentBelize
karisma-ktalent
“Digital TransformatonPut into action”
Digital Transformation
Ing. Miguel Ortíz Chief Information Officer
The digital transformation of Karisma Hotels & Resorts is taking place in three key stages.
Miguel Ortíz, Chief Information Officer following the digital transformation process at Karisma Hotels & Resorts, highlighted the three fundamental stages, and in this installment, we will focus on the first phase:
It focuses on the standardisation of structures and processes, followed by the visibility of results through dashboards and the implementation of a CRM for a 360-degree view of the customer at all stages.
It stresses the importance of orchestrating the efficient use of technology to meet the primary goal of providing the best service to customers.
The enterprise is adopting cloud applications, abandoning legacy applications that operated locally.
The challenge is extraordinary: to unify the processes of a company with geographically dispersed business units and different cultural characteristics.
A roadmap has been drawn up to standardise procedures, service levels and KPIs, with the aim of working as a unified team to facilitate digital transformation.
The company has a well-defined path.
Starting with the standardisation of structures and processes is crucial to establish common ground, despite the geographical and cultural diversity of the business units.
Ortiz Millan is convinced that Karisma Hotels & Resorts is living its best moment and will become a leader in the hospitality industry.
Transformation Process:
1
Standardization of structures and processes
Magazine
Miguel Ortíz Chief Information Officer
