Karisma and SIHOT

From the first Karisma Hotel in Akumal Beach, Mexico, launched in 2000, Karisma Hotels & Resorts has evolved into a premier hotel and resort management company. The group owns 17 luxury brands and 24 properties in 6 countries. Karisma Hotels & Resorts is known for its award-winning Gourmet Inclusive concept, which attracts upscale travellers worldwide.

Challenge:
When Karisma Hotels & Resorts opened its first resorts in Mexico, the hotels worked with different local PMS solutions. However, after proofing the brand concept and receiving positive results, Karisma Hotels & Resorts wanted to expand with its innovative concept rapidly into further countries. Yet, their local hotel software solutions limited that aspiration, as they did not have most of the functions needed by a global hotel chain.

Solution:
Hence, their management team searched for a long-term partner who was up for accompanying them on their mission.
After a rigorous evaluation process of several hotel software companies, Karisma Hotels & Resorts management board elected SIHOT. They felt secure, that SIHOT was the right long-term partner for accompanying their ambitious expansion plans.

“If I would need to describe our partnership with SIHOT with one word, it would be Synergy, because it was a combination of listening and acting. They listened to our needs and developed suitable technological solutions for us.”

Juan Carlos Carrillo, IT Director, Karisma Hotels & Resorts

One of the key technological features Karisma Hotels & Resorts needed for their expansion were the multi-language and multi-currency functions. With the ability to manage local and foreign currencies and various languages in one system, the group was able to expand into five additional countries, besides Mexico.

Another essential skill for successfully expanding into other countries was a strong pricing strategy. Karisma developed a unique rate structure based on geographical markets, customer loyality and various applicable discounts, that could also be combined with each other. The pricing strategy was on one side able to adapt to the nature of different markets but on the other side, it was very complex and difficult to execute. As it was a new and innovative system, SIHOT had no equivalent pricing solution that could be used. Despite that, after evaluating Karisma Hotels & Resorts complex rate structure, SIHOT developed a specific solution for the brand. This approach allowed Karisma Hotels & Resorts to implement a flexible, multi-currency rate structure with different discount levels in multiple markets.

On Karisma Hotels & Resorts growth journey reporting played a crucial role, as the hotel group needed to have the ability to react quickly to new and changing market conditions. Therefore, a strong, reliable data base was indispensable. With SIHOT’s data export function, the group could export the data and connect it to their BI system, which reorganized it into a customized report for Karisma Hotels & Resorts. Among other data, especially forecasts and the source of sales are important indicators. Based on them, the group could quickly adapt their sales & marketing campaigns if needed. This state-of-the-art reporting solution not only enabled Karisma Hotels & Resorts to expand but also to conquer the new markets they entered.