Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place September 15-October 15, is a time for people in the United States to celebrate the contributions and traditions of Latinx and Latin American culture in myriad ways. Since LatinFlyer is focused on the world of travel and tourism, we’ve decided to highlight the contributions of a group of women who work in the hospitality industry in Puerto Rico, Mexico and Guatemala.
Not only do they work at noteworthy hotels in Latin America; each woman also works to help worthwhile causes, and they have great ideas about how travelers can help, too.
Letty Rivero / Director of Sales & Marketing at Caribe Hilton San Juan
It’s no secret that Puerto Rico has had its fair share of hard times in recent years – from hurricanes and earthquakes to political protests and a pandemic, but one thing that has remained the same is Caribe Hilton’s reputation as a historic property and leader in hospitality. Behind the iconic resort, which first opened in 1949 as Hilton’s first hotel outside of the continental U.S. (they also invented the Piña Colada!), is a team of individuals known for their warm hospitality towards visitors from around the world. One major contributor is Director of Sales and Marketing Letty Rivero, who has been with Caribe Hilton for more than 11 years. After September 11, 2001, Rivero worked on destination recovery and designed promotions that significantly boosted the amount of travel to the island of Puerto Rico. At Caribe Hilton, she’s had to adapt and fill many roles during times of crisis, from filling in as a waitress immediately following severe hurricanes to assisting in the coordination of various fundraisers and drives for local nonprofit organizations, including La Fondita de Jesús, Hogar del Buen Pastor, and Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico, which aid local elderly residents, children, and the homeless. ‘Hospitality is in our DNA,’ says Rivero.
Soraya Castillon / Director of Sales & Marketing at W Punta de Mita
In Riviera Nayarit, a region that’s flourishing with new hotel openings and quickly gaining popularity as the secluded, tranquil alternative to nearby Puerto Vallarta, just a few hotels have paved the way for tourism from the U.S. One of these is W Punta de Mita, a chic resort located on one of the area’s best beaches with an ethos that pays homage to local indigenous influencers and the area’s laid-back surf culture. Director of Sales & Marketing Soraya Castillon has been working with Marriott for more than 15 years. Since 2005, Castillon has collaborated with a local nonprofit organization, Pasitos de Luz, which provides care for children with disabilities from low income families. She’s collected meals, clothing, and toiletries as part of resort-sponsored fundraising initiatives and has organized events that include piñata making parties for the children. Based on personal experience dealing with loss due to illness, Castillon also serves as mentor for others who are experiencing the same.
Claudia Bosch / Owner at Casa Palopo
This former home turned boutique hotel has been under the ownership of Claudia Bosch for 10 years, during which she has put a big emphasis on embracing the local culture and indigenous communities that surround the lake, especially the neighboring town of Santa Catarina Palopo. They source local, buy local, and employ local. While the hotel closed temporarily in March due to the pandemic, she implemented creative initiatives to ensure she could cover her staff’s salaries until they reopened in August via special incentives and offers, home-delivery services for restaurant staples and even pop-up glamping tents that brought Casa Palopo style hospitality to Guatemala City. Together with the Pintando Santa Catarina Palopó Project, Claudia and Casa Palopo are helping indigenous locals prepare for the return of tourism, setting up antibacterial gel stations throughout the town as well as handing our complimentary masks for locals and those passing through. It’s part of their commitment to keep their local community safe and healthy, while reviving the local economy that depends so much on tourism.