interview - Italy-America Chamber of Commerce, Southeast

FOCUS
From Art Deco to Boutique
and lodging decreased in 2009, meaning that the visitors were more conscious of their
expenditures in the area. The Visitor Profile and Economic Impact Study states, “Hotels
and motels continue to be the most common type of lodging for visitors, but have seen
some slight decline over the years in favor of other lodging options. Staying with friends
and relatives is a highly popular alternative, especially given the economic situation and
travelers’ attempt to look for more cost efficient ways to travel.” Despite the decreases
in spending, the Greater Miami area has highly benefited from the $107 million in tourist
–related taxes that were generated by visitors and from the 102,500 employments that
were filled by the visitor industry.
The GMBHA is a membership based organization comprised of hoteliers and allied
members across Miami Dade County whose membership boasts over 180 hotels and 300
allied members. Their goal is to unify the travel, tourism and hospitality industry with
business and government leaders locally, nationally and internationally in order to enhance
the visitor experience through advocacy, education and networking. The positive outcome
of their hard work showed when 65.9% of both domestic and international visitors in
2009 stated they were “Extremely Satisfied” with their visit to Greater Miami area.
Nonostante la riduzione nelle spese da parte dei turisti,
l’area della Greater Miami ha potuto beneficiare di
$107 milioni provenienti da tasse relative al turismo, e
dei 102.500 posti di lavoro creati dal settore.
La GMBHA é un’associazione che conta oltre 180
hotel e 300 membri nella contea di Miami Dade. Il
loro scopo é unificare l’industria turistica con business
e leaders governativi locali, nazionali ed internazionali
per migliorare l’esperienza dei turisti a Miami. Grazie
al loro lavoro, un’alta percentuale (65,9%) di turisti
nazionali ed internazionali hanno dichiarato di essere
“estremamente soddisfatti” della loro esperienza a
Miami.
Wendy Kallergis é il Presidente & CEO dell’Associazione
Alberghiera dell’area di Miami e le spiagge. La sua
carriera nel settore turistico é iniziata piú di 25 anni fa
a Miami quando lavorava come chef al Pavillon Hotel
di Downtown Miami, oggi Hotel Intercontinental
Miami. Wendy ha poi lavorato al Biltimore Hotel a
Coral Gables, The Mayfair House e Grand Bay Hotel
a Coconut Grove ed ha successivamente aperto il
Delano, il primo boutique hotel rinnovato di Miami
Beach.
Wendy Kallergis is President & CEO of the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association.
Her hospitality career began over 25 years ago in Miami as a sous chef downtown at the
Pavillon Hotel, now the Hotel Intercontinental Miami. She has worked at the Biltmore
Hotel in Coral Gables, The Mayfair House and Grand Bay Hotel in Coconut Grove and
opened Delano, the first renovated boutique hotel on Miami Beach.
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