"Sometimes hoteliers just need help," Quintana said. "Identifying new markets, ensuring the property is capturing its fair market share and selecting mission-critical technology is not a skill all owners or operators possess. Those that do possess the skill may not have the financial resources or available time at their disposal to tackle these tasks. That's where Grand Tradition Hotels & Resorts steps in. We understand the needs of hoteliers because we are hoteliers ourselves. We will service our accounts personally and professionally, keeping in contact with our customers on a regular basis so that we can clearly understand their needs and provide a proactive, rather than reactive, solution."

The new executive management team brings to Grand Tradition Hotels & Resorts a new, fresh way of looking at hospitality business opportunities in order to assist hotels in finding untapped markets and recapturing lost market share.

People for the people
"People do business with people they know and trust," Gaona said. "Networking, integrity and persistence are the most important traits to have among a successful management team. Under this new leadership, Grand Tradition Hotels & Resorts—and its customers—are destined to succeed. We are proud to be associated with such a noble and grand hotel company."

Hopkins, Quintana, and Gaona purchased Grand Tradition Hotels & Resorts, which was established in 1988, from John Parker earlier this month. Hopkins will serve as Chief Executive Officer, Gaona as Chief Operating Officer and Quintana as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer.

"We believe that Grand Tradition Hotels & Resorts will be attractive to independent hoteliers because it is being run by individuals who operated hotels successfully for many years and who have a clear, hands-on understanding of sales and technology," Hopkins said. "In today's economic climate, and with the technology demands being placed on hotels to remain competitive, it's no longer possible for independent operators to stand alone. By joining Grand Tradition Hotels & Resorts, owners and operators will become part of a family of hoteliers who feel passionate about the industry. Our team is unsurpassed in its longevity and commitment to the hospitality industry, not only in the area of hotel operations and marketing, but in technology implementation and contract acquisition and negotiation."

Hopkins said the new team plans to grow Grand Tradition Hotels & Resorts to between 150 and 300 hotels within its first 12 to 24 months of operation.

Participating Grand Tradition Hotels & Resorts, such as The Voyager Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska; The Claremont in Seattle, Washington; The Nautical Inn in Lake Havasu City, Arizona; and The Breakers in Honolulu to name a few, receive global hotel sales and marketing representation through:

• One-page listing in GTH&R annual directory, distributed worldwide through direct sales and trade shows and on the GTH&R Web Site, www.grandtraditionhotels.com
• Web-site development and channel distribution marketing consultation.
• Special pricing for connection to all global-distribution systems and travel industry Web site links.
• National sales network, placing personal calls to travel agencies, wholesalers, travel incentive agencies and groups, travel referral organizations and associations.
• E-mail blasts and cluster advertising opportunities.
• Sales, service, marketing and operations plan consultation and training.
• Discounts on travel reports, hotel analysis studies and membership in travel organizations.
• Representation of hotels at top international and domestic trade shows and exhibitions.
• Complimentary referrals to travel and resource partners for discounts on phone services, materials purchasing and hundreds of other related providers.

"We enable Grand Tradition Hotels & Resorts’s properties, which exhibit the charm and atmosphere of restored historical or new classic contemporary style designs, to market to a vast audience that prefers this style of hotel without having to pay exorbitant membership fees for minimal sales results," Quintana said.

Executive Briefing
Raymond Hopkins held several senior management positions throughout the United States including assignments in hotel operations, sales and marketing, project management and technology for existing properties and hotel openings. Properties included: The Westin Hotel Chicago; The Westin William Penn, Pittsburgh; The Westin La Paloma, Tucson; and The Westin Hotel, Seattle. He also served as Corporate Director of New Business Development for Brookdale Living Communities Inc. where he was responsible for overseeing new business development initiatives for one of the largest owners, operators, and developers of independent and assisted living communities for seniors in the United States. Hopkins in addition coordinated the Internet senior portal and Internet Service Provider initiative that became Next50.com, a branded and networked portal and ISP targeted to the senior market.

Duane Quintana maintains a successful career in the hospitality industry encompassing all aspects of hotel sales and operations and includes more than 15 years with Marriott Corp. at the hotel, regional office and corporate office levels. Quintana served as Vice President of Luxe Worldwide Hotels Los Angeles where he was responsible for reservations, sales and marketing, operations, public relations, development and new business opportunities. He also served as Western Regional Director of REZsolutions, where he managed a portfolio of more than 500 customers in the western states, providing technology, reservation and marketing solutions. His experience as Hospitality Executive Recruiter with Management Recruiters, Los Angeles, adds to his wealth of contacts in the industry.

Ricardo Gaona One of the most prolific generators of room nights to the North, Central, South American and European markets. Gaona a second-generation member of a family widely known for successfully marketing and Managing quality hotel products. Gaona was educated in Mexico City and attended programs at Cornell University Hotel School and the University of Lausanne. Gaona managed the entire 10 property Dubin Hotels chain elevating the guest experience while tripling bottom line profits. Having owned and operated Mexico Travel Advisors, Travel & Trade Development Corp, Wanderworld Travel & Tours, Gaona Travel Corp. and Jarvinen Worldwide Hotels, through lowering overhead; creating increased Sales through self-liquidating Seminar Series’, Advertising, Creating new product, and a "New Look" of product lines, through Independent Sales Force coverage increased Company's presence. He has since sold the companies and served Luxe Worldwide Hotels (purchaser of Jarvinen Worldwide Hotels) on a consulting basis.