Trip Report #9, Aug 20-27 2013

[mfay]

When we saw Vanessa at the resort this past week she said she had just run into Diana. She and Lazaro are both still enjoying
their positions with SDC- hosting events and some other duties.
I agree that exactly why people are leaving Desire is not the most important point. The fact that long tenured and/or popular staff either feel the need to leave or are asked to leave is a symptom of the larger issues Desire is facing. (in my opinion)
With occupancy way down for the year overall and especially for the second half of the year, it was very apparent to me that
there were many cost cutting policies in effect. Whether this drop in bookings is caused by splitting the business between Pearl and RM, because of lack of support from lifestyle friendly travel agents upset over policy, Desire pricing, or just the economy in general- the effect on employees is the same. Anyone in business understands that when times are tough employees are asked
to work harder, with fewer tools/smaller budgets, and with more stress. So the larger question- again in my opinion- is where does Desire go from here ? I think the ISM promotion for January is an indication that they are searching for something to create new excitement, new buzz. But my own hope is that they come to realize that what they really need to do is re-focus
on the real value, service, and loyalties that got them where they were.
Of course with all that being said- I still am totally in love with Desire ! It is still the greatest place in the world, I have never spent a single bad day there in some 170 days at the resort, and even though I just got home yesterday I would love to go back tomorrow !!!!!!!!!!!

[Tiffany998]

When we saw Vanessa at the resort this past week she said she had just run into Diana. She and Lazaro are both still enjoying
their positions with SDC- hosting events and some other duties.
I agree that exactly why people are leaving Desire is not the most important point. The fact that long tenured and/or popular staff either feel the need to leave or are asked to leave is a symptom of the larger issues Desire is facing. (in my opinion)
With occupancy way down for the year overall and especially for the second half of the year, it was very apparent to me that
there were many cost cutting policies in effect. Whether this drop in bookings is caused by splitting the business between Pearl and RM, because of lack of support from lifestyle friendly travel agents upset over policy, Desire pricing, or just the economy in general- the effect on employees is the same. Anyone in business understands that when times are tough employees are asked
to work harder, with fewer tools/smaller budgets, and with more stress. So the larger question- again in my opinion- is where does Desire go from here ? I think the ISM promotion for January is an indication that they are searching for something to create new excitement, new buzz. But my own hope is that they come to realize that what they really need to do is re-focus
on the real value, service, and loyalties that got them where they were.
Of course with all that being said- I still am totally in love with Desire ! It is still the greatest place in the world, I have never spent a single bad day there in some 170 days at the resort, and even though I just got home yesterday I would love to go back tomorrow !!!!!!!!!!!

I wish this forum had a "like button"!

[bb25]

What is the ISM promotion?

[tout.prest]

ISM = International Swingers Month.

http://swingersmonth.com/

Steve

[CandM]

Yeah! Happy that YankeeFan went back...we thought it was in doubt in 2012.