CEO of Allegro Resorts Among the Best

Source: Allegro Resorts

April 26, 1999
For the sixth year in a row, the editors of Leisure Travel News have selected those considered the most influential executives in the retail travel industry over the past year. There are very familiar names that made significant moves in 1998 by completely changing jobs and the roles through which they interact with Travel agents. Some are on this list because they’ve risen to the top of their organization and developed strategies in 1998 that hold heavy influence over the retail Travel industry, and others made the list because the strategies they launched in 1997 truly came to fruition in 1998 and exerted a profound impact upon the leisure Travel industry.

Among the best of 1998 is Mr. Benny Guevara, Chief Executive Officer of Allegro Resorts Corporation.

Benny Guevara has made a serious dent in the all-inclusive market by growing Allegro Resorts into a brand that is giving the competition a run for its money.

Allegro spread its wings in 1998, purchasing its first properties on Aruba, the Turks & Caicos and Antigua and converting them to Allegro resorts.

Under Guevara, Allegro greatly increased its advertising to create awareness of the Allegro brand among agents and consumers, while strengthening its relationship with U.S. wholesalers. The company secured $300 million in financing from Merrill Lynch & Co., the most any Caribbean hotel chain has received, giving the company the financial capability to buy resorts and develop new ones.

Allegro also became the first all-inclusive operator to join Sabre Group Leisure Alliance to expand the automated distribution of its products. The move was intended to increase its brand presence and help travel agents expand their leisure business through programs designed to boost their productivity.

In December, Guevara boldly led Allegro into upscale all-inclusive market, debuting its first Royal Hideaway Resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, the first of a line of luxury all-inclusive resorts and part of Allegro’s long-range goal to capture all segments of the all-inclusive market.