Pilar Torres. General Manageress of the Puerto Vallarta Hotel and Motel Association

Q. Pilar, how long have you been at the Association?

A. I’ve been around here only a month, but I’m full of enthusiasm and with lots of projects in mind for the sake of hoteliers in Puerto Vallarta and the destination as well.

Q. What was your former post?

A. I was at the helm of the International Sales Department of a hotel in Puerto Vallarta. I was more involved in promotion and advertisement overseas, cutting deals with wholesalers an doing everything related to international sales for one particular hotel.

Q. How is your work at the Association going to be like?

A. My work at the front office of the Association lies in providing it with additional values, so that hoteliers could benefit from their membership. We’re implementing a brand-new working style with a budget and a number of well-defined plans, focusing more on actions and services, spreading word of the hotels among affiliates for them to see the real benefits of being a part of the Association.

Q. Do marketing and promotional budgets depend on you?

A. No, they come from the Trusteeship and the OCV (Convention and Visitors Bureau). The Association is handled in an independent way. This is nothing but a league of hoteliers to give them a say in the many committees around, such as the Marketing Subcommittee, the same entity that charts proposals for spending within the Trusteeship.

Q. Is there any new communication policy in store?

A. We certainly want to implement a more straightforward and closer communication plan because we feel such a plan is missing now. Hoteliers themselves have told us so. They’ve let us know there’s a need for better communication and I truly want to zero in on this particular issue in order to make communication brisker through the use of special software programs thought up for this particular purpose.

Q. Are tour operators and fairs also part of your job?

A. No, that belongs to the OCV.

Q. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

A. Just an invitation to visit Puerto Vallarta, the world’s friendliest city and a gorgeous destination. We’ll be waiting for you with open arms.