COISAS GIRAS LDA, Sintra, Portugal • 1989-Present
International tourism and procurement ,restaurant & hotel decorating, hotel industry consulting and direct hotel management firm with a variety of consultants and outsourced staff
Director: Provided hotel management and operations expertise, meeting with clients, evaluating hotel operations and presenting strategies to improve performance. Worked directly with client hotel staff to implement operational turnaround plans. Supervised permanent and outsourced staff. Developed new business by liaising with prospective clients worldwide and serving as a thought leader in the hotel and resort management community. Maintained relationships with global suppliers, vendors and decorators. Oversaw general business operations.
Key Accomplishments:
• Drove exponential turnover growth during tenure.
• Runs directly 2 apart-hotels in the Algarve (Portugal)
• Grew consultancy share of sales to 60% and opened a decorator showroom centre business and sold it for a significant profit.
• Spearheaded a successful tourism area initiative for Brazil, formulating a master strategy and negotiating land acquisition and bank financing.
VILA MAGNA HOTEL GROUP, Albufeira, Portugal • 1982-1989
Hospitality company with 2 4-star hotels (710 rooms), 12 restaurants,bars and nightclubs, a convention centre, a cinema, a 90-shop shopping centre, time share operation, beach complex and 400 staff.
General Manager: Led daily operations for the hotel group and oversaw the sales department. Managed 400-person staff, building a solid management team and directing 24x7 food and beverage operations. Managed room sales, cultivating prospects by conducting promotional visits worldwide and attending trade fairs in the US and Europe. Developed network of business associates and gained valuable insights into worldwide hospitality operations.
Key Accomplishments:
• Achieved highest occupancy rate in the region, maintaining an 88% average for 710 rooms, and played key role in establishing successful operations.
• Successfully launched extremely popular theme restaurants and established the region’s only venue for classical music concerts, theatre and cultural events.
• Developed and implemented a strategy to improve winter occupancy, liaising with Canadian groups and tapping government resources to charter flights.
• Recognised for outstanding performance in trade publications as the region’s youngest and most successful hotel manager.
RUI DANTAS DE FIGUEIREDO • Page 2
ADDITIONAL POSITIONS
HOTEL ATLANTIS VILAMOURA • 1981-1982 • General Manager: Led daily operations of a 305-room, 5-star hotel in Portugal with 300 employees. Oversaw completion of facility and grand opening. Built a first-rate management team. Developed and implemented a successful occupancy strategy and promoted new restaurant. Created and deployed innovative marketing tools to attract hotel customers.
HOTEL OBDESKA POND • 1980-1981 • General Manager: Supervised opening of new 4-star hotel in Yugoslavia, leading a team of 35 employees. Managed fishing and hunting reserve and advertised hotel in hunting and fishing venues throughout Europe. Organised all hotel management processes and procedures. Overcame language barriers. Successfully opened a restaurant featuring live music.
HOTEL PRESIDENT • 1979-1980 • General Manager : Opening of new 215 rooms 4-star Hotel in Yamassoukro – Ivory Coast , Golf course & Clubhouse operation .
CAREER NOTE: Additional career history includes an Executive Assistant Manager role at the Hotel Atlantis Sintra Estoril and management trainee positions at Sheraton and Hilton properties. Details are available upon request.
Diplome(s) :
EDUCATION AND LICENCES
Licence in Hotel Management
CERIA-Belgium Hotel Management School
Cornell School of Hotel Administration Coursework:
Food and Beverage Management • Cost Control • Room Sales and Marketing
Finance Planning • Strategic Marketing for the Hotel Industry
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
International Hotel Manager Federation: Technical Management Course for the Hotel Industry
Portuguese Hotel Manager Association:
Strategic Marketing for the Portugal Tourism • Sales and Marketing Tools for Resort Hotels
Excel Course for Finance Planning • Small Business Management
Food and Beverage – Advanced Management • Conventions and Group Management
Anti-Aging European Congress: The New Spas and the Anti-Aging Market
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Portuguese Hotel Manager Association • ASTA
Portuguese Consultancy Association • Portuguese Industrial Association
LANGUAGES
Native Portuguese; Fluent in English, French and Spanish; Basic German ;Little Arabic
Motivations :
Expert hotel manager and food and beverage management professional with more than 20 years of hands-on experience overseeing all aspects of hospitality operations. Use strategic planning skills and leadership to drive quantum growth, build strong teams, increase revenues and cut costs. Manage relationships with partners, government agencies, industry leaders and other key stakeholders. Develop new business and maintain high occupancy rates and profitable operations. Enact policies and procedures that improve performance. Areas of expertise include:
Leadership • Business Development • Strategic Planning • Team Building • International Operations
Guest Service Delivery • Organisational Development • Food & Beverage Operations
Negotiations • Hospitality Consulting • Marketing & Sales • Presentations
Financial Management• Promotional Campaigns • Analysis
