Luis Lara Email and Phone Number

Membership club affiliated with leading travel supplier in the US. Business and travel consulting

Managing Director TravelSmart VIP Vacations, the company responsible for Sunwing Travel Group's loyalty program for Blue Diamond Hotels & Resorts. Founded the club and grew the business from zero to $70M in revenues, managing a team of 800 employees. Responsibilities include developing the concept, recruiting talent, hiring suppliers, developing and implementing its legal and tax strategy and integrating systems. P&L responsibility for the company encompassing all areas: Concept Development, Business Development, Information Technology, Marketing, Sales and Sales Consolidation, Reservations & Member Services, Collections and Finance & Accounting.

Responsible for developing business strategy and positioning the company to attract investors. Developed long-term expansion plan and financial projections. Improved financial and operational reporting and analysis.

Reporting to the Managing Partners, responsible for the company’s administrative and financial functions and for developing and leading the company’s worldwide marketing strategy,Defined and coordinated the financial area’s restructuring, including processes, systems and staff, improving the quality and opportunity of the information and reducing tax risks.Redefined the marketing and product strategy and participated in the development of the new service and products platform strategy. Developed the Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil markets, negotiating a strategic alliance with RCI, the main product supplier for this Industry in Latin America.

Company with 4,000 staff, 8 hotels, 1.900 rooms, 32 sales offices in 10 countries. Revenues over US$300M. Responsible for company’s worldwide results. Business strategy definition and the administration of the company’s assets and liabilities. Responsible for business development and generation of financial resources to support growth.Increased revenues 120% and the EBITDA 350% in 7 years by completely restructuring the company’s operations, redesigning processes, developing markets and growing installed capacity with the acquisition of several resorts and the opening of sales operations in Mexico, South America, the Caribbean and Europe.Negotiated and obtained over $125M in financing in attractive terms to finance growth.Led the restructuring of the company’s debt with the IPAB (National Savings Protection Agency), obtaining significant discounts and completing the acquisition of the agency’s participation in the company.Directed the equity sales process of the company, identifying the buyer, negotiating price and terms, and participating in the design of the acquisition structure and coordinating the successful due diligence process.

Full responsibility for the P&L of the 6 RCI offices in Latin America region. Opened the Chile and Colombia offices and restructured Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina.

CFO of Grupo Real Turismo owner and manager of 25 hotels in Mexico under the Camino Real, Maeva and Calinda brands.