Travel Job Series: Michelle Burn
For my next guest, I have the Queen of Luxury Hotels herself: Michelle Burn, Senior Sales Executive, Marriott International Luxury Brands – Caribbean & Latin America. We met at the chic St. Regis Bahia in Puerto Rico in January 2022, and we’ve been friends ever since. As the sales liaison to travel advisors like me, she lives the luxury brand and removes any friction for our clients to live that Suite life. She exudes hospitality. Since she has such a cool job that not many think of straight away as a travel industry job that travels a LOT, I wanted to highlight her career path.
Please meet Michelle Burn.
I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and raised in Guatemala, Mexico, and Venezuela. Returned to Puerto Rico to complete high school and pursue a career in Hospitality Management. At 23, I moved to pursue a Hotel Opening in Mexico City, where I managed Operations for a 260-room Hilton Hotel. In 2018, I joined Deloitte as a Senior Consultant overseeing Consulting for Major Hotel Brands.
With my charisma and passion for the industry, I have been able to establish positive relationships with colleagues, clients, and travel Industry partners. Definitely, I have a passion for service, love being able to travel and connect with people.
What is your background and education?
Background: Culinary Arts, Hotel & Tourism Administration
I began my journey in Hotel Operations in 2009 with Hilton, working in San Juan, Puerto Rico under different positions including Sales until 2014 when I decided to relocate to Mexico City for the opening of a new hotel. In 2018, I took a major turn and joined Deloitte in Mexico as a Senior Consultant, measuring guest experiences and Quality Assurance programs for major global hospitality brands including Marriott International from all categories: select, premium (full service), and luxury hotels in Canada, United States, and CALA region.
During the pandemic, I relocated back to Puerto Rico and began my career with Marriott in August 2020 where I joined The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort as Director of Sales - Leisure. In this role, I successfully managed The Leisure Segment, working with many clients throughout the United States, Latin America, and Europe.
Most recently, in June 2023, I joined Marriott Luxury Brands of the Caribbean and Latin America representing over 37 stunning collections of resorts.
What’s a typical day for you on the job?
Great question – No day is ever the same! I can start my day at the airport traveling to one of our stunning resorts or on my way to visit clients and/or attend a travel conference.
I absolutely love what I do. I get to share my passion for traveling the world with so many people. So inspiring and fun!
What are your current projects & wins?
Now, I am still in my “rookie” months of my new position – but I love it.
Current Projects:
Get to visit 4 of my resorts that I have not had the chance to visit in 2023.
Foster current client relationships in my market and work on maintaining those relationships.
Create and develop new Business Opportunities for our Resorts.
Continue to work on showcasing the stunning crown jewels I represent!
What do you feel is your biggest career risk?
Leaving behind what was comfortable to me to explore the unknown. My character was tested many times when I decided that Operations was no longer what I thought my “calling was” I was meant for so much more... and in losing myself, I found that in the most marvelous and perfect way.
What is your top career tip?
Turning your passion into a job will always be easier than finding a job that matches your passion. Be creative, be fun, be bold, and BE YOU!
Share one or more career highlights
1. Being able to work for Deloitte as a Senior Consultant – I was able to travel to over 15+ countries and consult an array of premium and luxury resorts around the Caribbean and Latin America.
2. Joining Corporate at Marriott – The honor of representing 37 resorts is just amazing.
What's your most memorable trip and why?
I have so many! -but- I would say visiting The Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos Islands are one of the most beautiful wonders of nature and a bucket list destination for me. I went there on a Consulting Assignment and had the most marvelous memories of that trip thanks to a taxi driver nicknamed “Piloto” who was once a flight attendant. He was the most welcoming and humble person!
He took me on a two-day expedition where we explored the Santa Cruz Lava Tunnels – I literally crawled through them! These mysterious dark tunnels carved by eruptions show the paths where rivers of lava once flowed. We also explored the Tortoise Reserve – where the Giant Tortoise resides. In the reserve, the tortoise can be observed in their natural habitat. Finally, I was able to See Sea Lions at Loberia. This trip was magical and will forever be cherished!
What would you tell your younger self?
Don’t be so hard on yourself, darling. Hardships never last – you get stronger! In life, you will lose your sense of direction, it will cost you your comfort zone, relationships, and friendships, being liked and understood. All of this does not matter because what truly is meant for you will meet you on the other side. Gravitate towards the things (goals, passions, people) that Move (and inspire) you forward.
Tell Us a Fun Fact About Yourself.
I was president of the prayer club at an all-girls catholic school.
