UAE Business Awards 2023 53 The hospitality industry took a huge hit during the pandemic and it’s no secret that some countries have struggled to bounce back and regain their strong tourist trade. One such destination that appears to be not only back on track, but stronger than ever before is Dubai. We speak to Judith Cartwright, an expert in the hospitality trade, as her consultancy gains recognition in the UAE Business Awards 2023. lack Coral Consulting (Black Coral) is based in Dubai – a city that is fast becoming the ultimate destination for the discerning tourist wanting to experience pure luxury. In fact, in 2022, Dubai received 14.36 million international overnight visitors, a figure which is up a staggering 97% on 2021, according to Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism. Not only does this surpass post-pandemic global and regional recovery levels, it currently stands out as having one of the highest hotel occupancy rates in the world. As one of the leading hotel consultancy companies in the UAE, Black Coral has a portfolio of elite hospitality clients to include hotel and resort developers, operators and asset managers, restaurant groups, luxury travel agencies, loyalty programmes, casinos, and attractions across key markets spanning the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Europe, Australia, and the US. This reflects the industry’s growing appetite for this type of commercial expertise. Led by experienced commercial leader, Judith Cartwright, Black Coral works with hotels, destinations resorts, attractions, spas, and F&B ventures – in development or already in operation – and other travel and tourism-related companies, to create a roadmap for commercial success. From identifying new revenue streams to turning unutilised spaces into revenue generators, she helps unleash their profit potential, often in unconventional ways. “No other consultancy has the experience across ultra luxury and destination resorts to build a total revenue optimisation culture, unique commercial strategies, and distribution platforms across all business units and income streams,” Judith elaborates, speaking of the firm’s USPs. “Quite simply, we find ways to convert under-utilised space into revenue and profit centres.” Indeed, the consultancy’s list of pre-eminent clients is fast expanding and diversifying to include companies such as UAE-headquartered hotel operator JA Resorts & Hotels, GCC real estate developer Deyaar, global OTA Luxury Escapes, Four Seasons, CoolInc, Global Hotel Alliance, as well as established data analytics leader SAS to name a few. With a proven track record and a unique level of experience to develop innovative and unique commercial strategies, Black Coral is well versed in increasing top line revenues, which translates to increased profits beyond rooms but also for restaurants, spas, retail, attractions and casinos for destination resorts, ultra luxury resorts, city properties, standalone attractions, or attractions within a resort. “We work to support the owner, the asset manager and the operator of a business unit to help unleash their profit potential,” continues Judith. “Owners have the opportunity to engage with us as we act as the asset manager between the management company and the owner to ensure the asset is optimised and not just that the budget is achieved. We focus on the ROI and profit by square-metre.” Judith, the founder and managing director of Black Coral, has more than 20 years’ worth of experience in the hospitality industry, working closely with senior management to achieve unprecedented results by utilising an innovative and disruptive approach to stay ahead of trends. Prior to launching Black Coral Consulting two years ago, Judith was the senior vice president of Revenue Management & Distribution with responsibility for the Atlantis, One&Only and Mazagan brands, encompassing resorts, hotels, F&B outlets, spas, and attractions. Her track record shows that she is not content to simply “manage” revenue, instead she is always looking for novel ways to maximise profitability whilst ensuring that profit potential across all income streams is realised. For entrepreneurs such as Judith, the vibrant city of Dubai offers all that she needs to fast-track her career and the development of her business. Having lived there with her family since 2009, she feels the region, welcoming to all, is now very much her home. “In the UAE, ambitious men and women, with no gender bias, are actively encouraged to stay, work, and thrive, supported by many government incentives,” she explains. “The launch of Black Coral was exciting and means that I can now use my wealth of experience to help clients thrive and succeed in what are unprecedented times.” Not only are Judith’s clients enjoying success, but Black Coral itself is flourishing. Regularly invited as a speaker and moderator on panels, Judith is now focusing on growing the total revenue optimisation culture and innovative commercial strategic solutions and, with more than 80% of her engagements coming from repeat clients or referrals, these amazing results speak for themselves. Recently recognised in the UAE Business Awards as Best Luxury Hotel Consultancy 2023, Judith is now looking to a bright and lucrative future with Black Coral. “Our plans are big,” she enthuses. “We continue to grow and have developed a great network of individuals we work with and who we partner up with. We thrive with challenging and unique projects. Our network is our net worth.” Contact: Judith Cartwright Company: Black Coral Consulting Web Address: www.blackcoralconsulting.com B Best Luxury Hotel Consultancy 2023
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