With a strong growth in the arrival of international tourists to the country, Colombia is consolidating itself as a preferred destination among foreigners. Aware of this dynamic, the hotel Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida aims to bring in a potential market: European tourists.
In an interview with Portafolio, Tomas Ford, general manager of the hotel, spoke about the products that are driving its sales the most. He highlighted MICE (corporate and business) tourism as a fundamental axis for the company.
You may be interested in: Minor Hotels will give away 1 million dollars in prizes, how to participate?
How did the hotel do in the first half?
It was a period with positive results for the hotel in which we were able to welcome leisure and corporate travelers both from different regions of Colombia and internationally. In the first case, marked mainly by Easter and holidays, and in the case of corporate groups, important visits that contribute to the positioning of the hotel and Santa Marta as a MICE destination.
At the same time, we are happy to see how the local public, the residents of Santa Marta, are increasingly coming closer to enjoying the quality offering offered by our restaurants and our Seishua Spa.
How have you seen the growth of foreign tourists in Santa Marta and the hotel?
Santa Marta, due to its natural and ecological offering, is having a strong boom in foreign visitors, mainly from Europe, specifically from countries such as France and Holland, who perceive the city as an attractive destination and, a part of them, to Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida is the ideal hotel to enjoy a pleasant and distinguished stay in the city.
Santa Marta has an air connection in constant development, facilitated by the Simón Bolívar International Airport, which offers regular flights to national destinations such as Bogotá, Medellín and Cali through airlines such as Avianca and Latam.
For international flights, travelers can connect at larger airports in the country, mainly in Bogotá. In addition, the proximity to Barranquilla, about 103 kilometers away, expands the international flight options thanks to the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport, which offers more direct flights to the United States, Central America and Europe.
This proximity strengthens air connectivity, promoting tourism and commerce in the Caribbean region of Colombia, and allows tourists and businessmen to enjoy a diversified cultural, historical and natural offer.
Will you make investments this year?
We remain open to improvements that elevate the art of hosting, resulting in satisfactory experiences for our clients and guests, creating memorable and lasting memories, so that they feel deeply cared for during their stay.
This is why we renovated our ideal beachfront space for events, Duzano, to provide greater comfort for hosts who choose Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida as the venue for important celebrations. For the course of the year, at the moment, we have no investments to announce.
What is the big bet this year?
We started the year with the launch of our activity program for children and adults, which incorporates dynamics that encourage creativity, motor skills and group sharing; This with the goal of strengthening our offer for families.
In this sense, and faithful to Marriott International’s goal of positively impacting the communities in which it does business, we incorporated a coffee station led by Amorigen, a local brand which seeks to exalt the quality of the region’s coffee directly from the communities of the Sierra Nevada who cultivate it and guaranteeing that they receive the income from their work directly, with the intention of bringing our guests closer to experiences beyond the everyday and linked to local culture.
You may also be interested in: Wyndham and Decameron team up to expand all-inclusive vacation offerings
Tomas Ford, general manager of Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida
These are just some of the initiatives aligned with our promise to stay at the forefront not only at a national level, but also globally. Also manage to highlight Santa Marta as a unique and particular destination within the entire Caribbean tourism offer.
With all this, how do you expect to increase your sales?
Santa Marta and our hotel are positioning themselves as a ‘trendy’ destination, attracting tourists looking for authentic and less crowded experiences. The city, rich in history and natural beauty, offers a unique blend of culture, nature and adventure, standing out for its sustainability, authenticity and exclusivity. With the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the Tayrona National Natural Park and beaches such as Blanca and Bahía Concha, Santa Marta offers various activities that differentiate it from more saturated destinations such as Cartagena or San Andrés.
Santa Marta is ideal for destination weddings and group events, thanks to its natural beauty and growing infrastructure. It offers specialized services such as event organizers, gourmet catering and personalized activities.
Finally, we are focusing our efforts on making ourselves visible in tourist source markets such as Europe, where there is a growing interest in exotic and cultural destinations. The city highlights not only its paradisiacal beaches, but also its ecological routes, indigenous cultural experiences and a vibrant nightlife.
How are occupancy levels going and how do you expect to close the year?
We foresee a positive end to the year, driven by the desire to travel that overwhelms many tourists mainly during the end and beginning of the year festivities, as well as holidays.
What challenges do you see in an industry where Colombians stay less and less in hotels?
Fortunately, this is not the case of Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida, given the high influx of national tourists. We feel pleased and grateful to those people who choose us for their stay during their visit to Santa Marta.
Our hotel is part of Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s travel program, in which it is possible to register for free and enjoy great benefits.
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program and marketplace, gives members access to transformative and eye-opening experiences around the corner and around the world. Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of more than 30 extraordinary brands delivers renowned hospitality in the world’s most memorable destinations. Members can earn points on hotel and resort stays, and redeem their points for experiences including future stays or Marriott Bonvoy Moments.
You may be interested in: San Andrés and its economy breathed: hotel occupancy in March grew 11.2 pps
Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida
With the Marriott Bonvoy application, members enjoy a level of personalization and contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind, having their room key on their cell phone, a chat to request hotel services and much more. To sign up for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com.
Do you have requests to further encourage the hotel industry?
Constant innovation is key, understanding that success is never definitive. In an ever-changing world, we strive to exceed expectations and continually raise our standards of excellence. As part of this vision, we are inspired by the philosophy that the destination and the hotel are more than just places, they are experiences that transform lives.
With this conviction, we strive to create memorable moments for our guests, where each stay is an opportunity to discover, grow and connect with the extraordinary. At the Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida, we are committed to being not only a destination, but a starting point to new horizons and unforgettable experiences.
PAULA GALEANO BALAGUERA
Portfolio Journalist
