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Multinational travel strategist, geographer, negotiator, business builder
Certified Travel Industry Executive Regional Director American Express Travel/Vice President
Travel AAA Western and Central New York Operations, P&L management, field marketing, front-line
motivation and training, business building, change management, supplier negotiations
Multicultural sensitivity 30 years travel industry experience
Domestic/international Retail/wholesale Leisure/corporate Meeting management/corporate sales Small agencies/multinational corporations
Proven record in transforming vision into reality
Solid understanding of diverse markets and corporate cultures
Strategic planning expertise and focused problem solver
• Completed 55 consultations with corporate investment firms on GDS, airlines, TMCs, cruise ships, hotels, travel agencies, trends & issues, 2009/2010
• 30 business travel articles in eZine.com• Disney Travel Agency of the Year, 2008• Travel Impressions Best of the Best (Sales), 2006-07-08• Disney Travel Agency of the year for Marketing, 2007 • Trafalgar’s Six Continents of Sales Excellence Award for
2007• Holland America Cruise Lines, Centurion Award for 2006-07-
08• Increased revenue by 18%/profit by 29% 2007 over 2006
(AAA)• Integrated $15M corporate travel agency into AAA Western
& Central NY, 2006 • Amex Leadership Award, 2000
Founder/President • Serving travel industry and corporate travel
departments– coaching, marketing, interim executive, agency acquisition, performance/profit analysis, global business building, strategy development
• Guided US- based company through consolidation with a single travel management company
• Re-wrote IATA/UFTTA travel training modules for sales skills and customer service; revised marketing/travel management courses; created training certification programs via Webinar
Vice President of Travel (Club Officer and Executive Team member)
• Implemented new telephone strategy connecting branches to call center, callers to specialists
• Negotiated time share agreement with Disney Vacation Club
• Re-organized leadership and shifted from service to sales/service organization
• Launched full Corporate/Business Travel and Meeting Management Services.
• Established business development team and employee performance goals linked to organization vision and strategy
Regional Director Consumer Travel (1990-2006)Manager, American Express Travel Service Office (1988-
1989)• Managed relationships with partners/clients; leveraged travel
supplier co-op funds;• Doubled highly preferred vendor sales through employee
training/motivation• Played integral role in financial success of meeting management,
corporate, vacation, groups and incentive travel• Managed Corporate/Vacation Travel Call Centers/Meeting Planning• Generated 78% above budget in pre-tax income in 2002• Led change management to realize savings of $2.5M • Meticulously designed nationwide incentive plans aligned
program with corporate strategic goals• Directed marketing campaigns in Eastern U.S.A.• Built my region to # 1 position in retail and wholesale cruise sales
in the AMEX Network
University of Chicago• Graduate School of Business, Enhancing Leadership Program
University of Alexandria, Egypt• BA, Geography
American Express Training Client Centered Selling Internal Management Program Leadership/ Teambuilding Bank Secrecy Act Effective
Listening Communication and Influence AMEX Financial Diversity
Training GAP Breakthrough Thinking Marketing Writing Ernst and Young’s Process Improvement Six Sigma
The Travel Institute 2005 CTIE CTC Advanced Risk Management
International Business Essentials E-Commerce Lean Training (2008)
• SKAL - International Association for Travel Executives• Disney Travel Advisory Council, 2007 – 2008• The Travel Company – Advisory Council, 2007 - 2008• Buffalo-Niagara Convention Visitors Bureau's Board of
Directors, 2007 - 2008• American Tours International Advisory Board• AAA "Green Tree"• Gerson Lehrman Group’s Transportation Council• McKinsey Quarterly Online Executive Panel• International Institute for Peace through Tourism• Tourismpartners.org - Supporting Tourism against Poverty
in Africa• Elected Co-Chairman The Travel Insistue Mid-Atlantic
Forum
“… a person of energy, intelligence and mature judgment…"- Richard Moose, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Management
“… a real travel pro. He totally revamped the organization in a methodical fashion, and improved our revenue significantly. He knows the players and he knows the game. He'll make whatever organization he goes to better." - Thomas Chestnut, CEO - AAA Western & Central New York
“… as fresh and innovative today as the day I met him. He has tremendous credibility on three major fronts:* Employees: Tharwat is strong and compassionate and a clear communicator.* Customers: Tharwat sets clear service delivery expectations, and motivates his people to meet and exceed them.* Vendors: Tharwat is an acknowledged industry leader in negotiations with and partnership with the largest airlines, cruise lines, and tour operators.He is one of the best relationship builders I have encountered, and he doesthis with amazing speed and staying power."- Rick Zeckendorf - Vice President of Travel, AAA New Jersey club
Tharwat Abouraya is:
"…delivers world-class results on the employee survey and grows his salesat an amazing rate, especially for an established business."- Donna Ganson, Vice President American Express Consumer Travel Network
"Marketing wizard…Committed to excellence in the business."- Roger Ballou, President American Express
"Truly a people motivator…instills pride"- Donna Casey, Manager, American Express retail office
"By all accounts, the American Express client-entertainment event at the Centennial Olympic Games was a huge success. This accomplishment was due, in no small part, to your assistance. I am truly grateful that you unhesitatingly offered your time and energy on our behalf.”- Harvey Golub, Chairman-CEO, American Express
Tharwat Abouraya….
15417 Merrifields LaneSilver Spring, MD 20906
(202) 595-4867www.travelbusinesscpr.com
