In this interview, we caught up with Steve Contos, senior v.p. – Caribbean & Luxury Portfolio Latin America, Marriott International, to talk Puerto Rico, Marriott’s millennial appeal and the company’s expansion plans.
Steve has been with Marriott International for over 30 years and formerly served as the area v.p. for Florida and New Orleans, where he managed a portfolio of full-service hotels. Contos oversees all properties and brands in the Caribbean and is responsible for directing the luxury portfolio for the Caribbean and Latin America, in partnership with respective geographic area vice presidents.
Melissa Bryant (MB): How should travel agents position Puerto Rico to their clients?
Steve Contos (SC): The island offers a variety of activities for every kind of traveler to enjoy. From its natural beauty, such as El Yunque Rainforest and the bioluminescent bay, to the historic forts and cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, delicious island cuisine, music and abundant culture, it’s a dynamic destination – home to some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. The solid airlift into Puerto Rico makes it accessible from many major cities. Additionally, the weather is favorable year-round, which makes it particularly attractive during the winter months. The fact that they use U.S. currency and that you don’t need a passport to travel there also make it a very accessible destination.
MB: How has Puerto Rico’s past Zika outbreak, current debt crisis and attempts to become the 51st state affected tourism?
SC: Puerto Rico is one of Marriott’s fastest growing markets and a top travel destination in the Caribbean. 2017 has been a very good year for Marriott on the island, so far and Puerto Rico is experiencing record-setting levels for leisure business at all hotels, led by our luxury resorts. Couples and families of all ages visit our hotels and enjoy everything this vibrant destination has to offer. In recent months we have seen an increase in last-minute group travel for girlfriend getaways and destination weddings, and look forward to finishing the year strong.
MB: What are some of the trends that you are seeing in leisure travel to the Caribbean (millennial boom, eco-tourism on the rise, demand for new wellness offerings, etc.) and what specific Marriott properties cater to those travelers?
SC: We see an increase in millennial travel to Puerto Rico and are happy that our recently opened AC Hotel San Juan Condado is a great fit for this target group. Located in the bustling Condado area, it features AC Lounge, a local hotspot serving tapas and handcrafted cocktails.
La Concha Renaissance Resort in San Juan is a wonderful wellness destination where guests can explore the neighborhood on resort-branded Priority Bicycles and enjoy the island’s only Hammam Ritual at the spa. Our W Retreat & Spa Vieques Island is an ideal destination for the eco-minded traveler offering experiences on gorgeous, isolated beaches and in one of the world’s best bioluminescent bays—it’s even common to encounter wild horses roaming freely as you explore the island. The resort organizes daily wellness activities including kayaking, yoga and tennis.
Our properties are very creative in crafting unique experiences for our guests. The Ritz-Carlton in San Juan, for example, repurposed an old storage room in the back of house as a space for speakeasy-style events. Guests walk through behind-the-scenes hallways to arrive at a secret entrance, using a password communicated via one of the hotel’s social media channels to get in. San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino often organizes a “Guavate in San Juan”—a whole roast pork experience—that draws inspiration from the “lechoneras” in Guavate, where a mile-long stretch of lechon hotspots on Route 184, also known as “The Pork Highway,” is frequented by locals on the weekend.
MB: In addition to the “Paradise Perks” incentive program, are there any other travel agent FAMs or incentives from Marriott’s Caribbean resorts that travel agents should know about?
SC: Our hotels provide individual FAMs and site visits throughout the year, during which agents and planners have the opportunity to enjoy and experience our properties first-hand, while learning about what sets them apart. With regards to incentive programs, the Caribbean portfolio of resorts will be rolling out an incentive soon with a focus on travel from April to December 2018.
MB: What are some of the new destinations that Marriott is expanding into in the Caribbean, and why have you chosen those locations?
SC: As I mentioned before, the Caribbean is one of the fastest growing markets for Marriott. We are expanding into Antigua with The St. John’s, Autograph Collection soon, which will be the first global hospitality brand to enter the local market with a sustainable facility design, as well as eco-friendly amenities. At the beginning of August, we announced that a new Ritz-Carlton will be built in Saint Lucia by 2021. Bermuda and Turks & Caicos are also new markets for Marriott in the region.
MB: Are there any other news bites, such as property renovations, that we can share with our readers?
SC:
- With 44 hotels in the Caribbean, Marriott offers a wide variety of brands and destinations for international travelers.
- At the beginning of this year, the Sheraton Old San Juan completed a significant renovation, updating its common spaces, all 240 rooms and adding an all-new rooftop pool.
- We expect to continue to grow our portfolio in Puerto Rico with the addition of the Aloft San Juan and the Aloft Ponce in 2018.
- Finally, Marriott’s luxury portfolio across the islands includes four of our eight world-renowned luxury brands—St. Regis, The Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels and JW Marriott.
For more information, visit marriott.com.
