MIAMI (July 25, 2017) – Karisma Hotels & Resorts, an award-winning luxury hotel collection which owns and manages properties in Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, today announces the appointment of Juan Pablo Franky as Chief Executive Officer in South America. Bringing with him more than 20 years of industry experience, Franky will spearhead expansion of Karisma’s renowned brands into Latin America along with operations and sales across South America, starting with the opening of a new office in Bogotá, Colombia.
“We are extremely pleased that Juan Pablo is joining our accomplished team, taking on a pivotal leadership role towards bolstering our presence in South America,” said Neil Evans, Chief Operating Officer of Karisma Hotels & Resorts. “Karisma has experienced rapid global growth over the past few years and we are eager to continue this trajectory with a focus on bringing our world-class brands to Latin America. With Juan Pablo at the helm and a new office in Bogotá, we are confident South America will be an increasingly significant market for Karisma’s new and existing luxury properties around the world.”
In his new role, Franky will concentrate on commercial development in Latin America of Karisma’s award-winning properties across all its renowned brands, including El Dorado Spa Resorts, Azul Beach Resorts, Generations Resorts, Karisma Villas, Allure Hotels, Hidden Beach Resort, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts, Karisma Hotels Adriatic and the new Margaritaville, an All-Inclusive Experience, by Karisma. Karisma’s existing Allure Hotels in Colombia – Cartagena’s Allure BonBon and Allure Chocolate, and Armenia’s Allure Café Macawa and Aroma Macawa – have been extremely successful. Allure Chocolat Hotel by Karisma finalized an expansion in spring 2017 to meet rising demand. Franky will leverage the boutique properties’ popularity among leisure and business travelers seeking chic, city hotels to further grow Allure Hotels’ presence in Colombia and beyond.
As Chief Executive Officer of Karisma Hotels & Resorts in South America, Franky will also open the company’s first South American office, which will be staffed by a strong on-site sales team in Bogotá and a network of sales representatives across the continent. Under his tutelage, the team will cultivate distribution channels as the company grows within these markets. Franky will develop and execute upon Karisma’s overall operations strategy for South America as well.
“I am very excited to join Karisma Hotels & Resorts and help the company to achieve its goal of increasing its hotel portfolio by 35 percent by 2020,” said Franky. “I look forward to bringing Karisma’s elevated standard of luxury to Latin America while further educating agents, operators and leisure travelers on its Gourmet Inclusive® Experience, esteemed partnerships and the innovative services and amenities found at each of its world-class properties.”
Franky has an impressive background including two decades of leadership for some of South America’s most respected hospitality companies. Previously, Franky spent 10 years with Decameron Hotels, overseeing a portfolio comprised of Radisson Hotels, W Hotels & Resorts, and Aloft Hotels. As vice president of commercial operations, he optimized revenue streams and exceeded sales goals. He also served as vice president of development and investment. In this role, Franky created and executed upon Decameron’s expansion plan while leading contracting, financing and construction of new hotels. Prior, Franky was president of Global Hotels Corporation and vice president of commercial operations for Aerorepublica-Copa.
At Karisma Hotels & Resorts, Franky becomes part of a seasoned executive team that continuously raises the bar and sets new standards for luxury travel by forging world-class partnerships and delivering innovative services and amenities. As an example, Karisma is the first and only hotel company with the Gourmet Inclusive® Experience, featuring gourmet cuisine by executive chefs, sommeliers in each restaurant, the freshest and finest ingredients sourced from an on-site greenhouse, and award-winning wines due to its partnership with Jackson Family Wines – all delivered to guests via 24-hour room service and an array of a la carte restaurants and memorable dining experiences.
For more information about Karisma Hotels & Resorts, please visit: www.karismahotels.com.
