Karisma Hotels

	Awards | Press
Travel + Leisure Honors El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma at First-Ever Social Media in Travel & Tourism Awards (SMITTYS) Gourmet Inclusive Collection in the Riviera Maya, Mexico Recognized for its Innovative Social Media in Travel Campaign

MIAMI (June 20, 2012) – Karisma Hotels & Resorts, which is comprised of El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma, a premier collection of Gourmet Inclusive properties in the Riviera Maya, Mexico offering the best in food and service, announced it has been named a runner-up in the first annual Travel + Leisure Social Media in Travel & Tourism Awards (SMITTYS).  The group was among good company; other honorees included The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Group for the Twitter platform and The Standard Hotels for the Tumblr platform.

 

Karisma Hotels & Resorts was recognized by the Travel + Leisure SMITTY Awards, which distinguish the most innovative and effective uses of social media in the travel industry, in the Best Use of Social Media, Global Resort Chain category for its “Like Riviera Maya, Mexico” Facebook campaign.  According to Travel + Leisure, “it created custom tabs across all of the resorts’ Facebook pages to reinforce an important message: that travel to Mexico was not only a positive experience, but a safe one.”  

“We are very excited to be honored by the first annual Travel + Leisure SMITTY Awards,” said Mandy Chomat, vice president of sales & marketing for Premier Worldwide Marketing, the exclusive worldwide representatives for Karisma Hotels & Resorts.  “Our team has strived to stay on the cutting-edge of social media, understanding the unique opportunity it affords us to engage with past and future guests.  We are extremely proud of our ‘Like Riviera Maya’ campaign and believe it sheds light on positive traveler stories and the reality of vacationing in the destination.”

It is no secret that Mexico has received a lot of negative attention in the press, especially when it comes to traveling to the country. A lot of generalizations are made and assumptions on this beautiful country. In an effort to gain awareness of the beautiful and safe region of Riviera Maya, Mexico, Karisma Hotels & Resorts  created  a “Like Riviera Maya, Mexico” campaign to help promote the region in a positive light, share positive traveler stories and educate people on where exactly the violence is taking place (thousands of miles away!).  The Facebook campaign elements included a dedicated Facebook tab on all 11 of Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ Facebook pages, informing and educating guests on the region, including a video and map; launching discussion board topics, encouraging guests to share their positive experiences; an on-property campaign and vacation giveaway asking guests to share on Facebook why they love Mexico and if they feel safe there; and a website landing page asking fans to join the “Like Riviera Maya, Mexico” conversation on Facebook.

The “Like Riviera Maya, Mexico” campaign was a great success for Karisma Hotels & Resorts, generating more than 9,500 page views across its 11 Facebook pages’ dedicated tabs and attracting nearly 1,000 Facebook entries to the vacation giveaway.  Further, Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ thousands of fans were privy to the countless positive stories by travelers to Mexico and personal assurances by these individuals that the destination was safe.  

Karisma Hotels & Resorts, comprised of Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma, include a collection of eight Gourmet Inclusive properties that fosters togetherness with lavish amenities and services, including a personalized Champagne check-in, gourmet à la carte dining, premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, 24-hour room service, full-service concierge, nightly entertainment, and more.  El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels are adults-only resorts with special amenities for couples, including in-suite Jacuzzi, swim-up suites, Beachfront Sky Massages and beach butlers, while Azul Hotels provide an ambiance that appeals to every type of guest, from families and couples to girlfriend getaways.  The chic and hip décor at the recently renovated Azul Hotels draws a more sophisticated traveler, while family-friendly amenities such as the exclusive Fisher-Price Kid’s Club program, Pack & Play offerings, and gourmet Gerber baby food make traveling a breeze for families.

For more information on the Travel + Leisure SMITTY Awards and a complete list of winners, visit www.travelandleisure.com/smittys.  

About Travel + Leisure
With an eye for the authentic, the innovative, and the irresistible, Travel + Leisure (www.travelandleisure.com, @travlandleisure) fuses expert reporting on culture, food, style, and design with stunning photography, transporting readers to the places—and the travel experiences—that matter now. T+L, the monthly title from American Express Publishing and the long-standing authority in its field, has the largest audience of any travel magazine and is an indispensable guide for global nomads. Travel + Leisure has a network of international editions, including Travel + Leisure Mexico, Travel + Leisure Turkey, Travel + Leisure China, Travel + Leisure South Asia, and Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia.  About El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma

El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma are a premier hotel collection operating properties throughout the Riviera Maya, Mexico, where guests savor a Gourmet Inclusive experience that fosters togetherness.  Karisma’s growing portfolio is comprised of El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort by Karisma; El Dorado Casitas Royale by Karisma; El Dorado Seaside Suites by Karisma; and El Dorado Maroma, A Beachfront Resort, by Karisma; Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma; Azul Fives Hotel by Karisma; Azul Sensatori Hotel by Karisma; and Azul Villa Carola by Karisma.  Properties have been honored with the industry's top accolades including, Conde Nast Traveler’s “Top 100 Hotels in the World,” Conde Nast Traveler’s “Gold List,” Forbes’ “Top 10 Most Romantic Hotels,” Travel Weekly’s “Readers Choice Awards,” TUI Travel PLC’s “Hotel of the Year,” “Gold Medal,” and “Green Medal”, TripAdvisor® Traveler’s Choice “Best Hotels for Romance,” and AAA’s “Four Diamond Award.”  Karisma has received worldwide recognition for its creative approach to hospitality management and product innovations including resorts with swim-up suites, Infinity balcony pools, beach butlers and cash-free transactions. Premier Worldwide Marketing is the exclusive worldwide sales and marketing representative for Karisma Hotels & Resorts.  For reservations, please call 1-866-527-4762 or visit http://www.karismahotels.com.

Media Contacts
Jenn Wade, Alexandra McClure, Courtney Finley, Leah Goldstein or Danielle Mayer at Glodow Nead Communications, 415.394.6500, jenn@glodownead.com.