Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Additional Information
Languages
Affiliations
Personal Information
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Cristina Del Río Fresen

Strategy and management
Cristina  Del Río Fresen

Summary

My beginnings introduced me to the importance of tourism and the impact this has on business and the economy worldwide. This enlightenment of recognizing the enormity and scale of the industry increasingly inspired me to work diligently to embrace more inclusivity, nurture growth potential, and create employment opportunities. Nowadays, the challenge is effectively caring for the environment and raising awareness of the importance of protecting the planet that we want to enjoy as tourists and also as residents.

Throughout my career as a successful businesswoman, I have endeavored to identify new relationships which have resulted in significant global partnerships with world-leading brands. I am truly proud to have contributed to the evolution of this industry and l seek to further my expertise and to share my insightful knowledge.

Overview

32

Years of professional experience

27

Years in managing positions

18

Years of experience in the tourism sector, 360º.

10

Years of experience in intellectual property management

50

Masterclasses and conferences

50

Press conferences, interviews

Work History

SGAE, Sociedad General de Autores y Editores

Director (Canary Islands)
07.2012 - 12.2022

Job overview

  • Management of the worldwide collection of music, theatre, and cinema copyrights used and/or produced in the Canaries.
  • Stakeholders management. (Authors, Users)
  • Development and management of revenue and expenditure budgets.
  • PR and Communications (TV, live radio debates - Top Ranked).
  • Customer Experience & Marketing: digital transformation plan. (National level ).
  • Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
  • Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.

THE TOURIST BOARD OF GRAN CANARIA

Managing Director
09.2007 - 05.2011

Job overview

  • Analysis of tourism trends, statistics, and measurement of the impact of tourism on the destination. Overall advisor on Gran Canaria tourism.
  • Negotiations with tour operators from all source markets and segments.
  • Lead speaker at professional conferences (ex: FVW in 2009 in Gran Canaria)
  • Development of marketing and strategic plans.
  • Design and management of a promoter's network abroad with Turespaña.
  • Management of external relations, agreements, and cooperation with the private sector i.e., clubs golf, spa & wellness, and rural tourism

Cristina del Río Fresen, SLNE

Owner and Senior Manager, Strategic Advisor
01.2005 - 07.2007

Job overview

  • Consultancy services for private and public sectors in several projects: environment, urbanism, marketing, promotion, market studies, branding, and strategic management.
  • Patent: “One more hour of sun”, the opportunity of increasing tourism revenue by keeping the Summer Time during the whole year (Presented to the Canarian Government in 2007).
  • Communication activities: lecturer, conferences, radio debates, academic books co-author, personal blog (200.000 views).
  • Used knowledge of market trends to create value-added solutions resulting in a significant increase in revenues.

THE TOURIST BOARD OF GRAN CANARIA

Managing Director
03.2001 - 07.2004

Job overview

  • Design and implementation of new working models, structures, and processes to update the company.
  • Introduced public/private cooperation agreements.
  • Design of the destination marketing strategy: new image, new web, promotional activities, and market-oriented staff.
  • Analysis of tourism trends, statistics, and measurement of the impact of tourism at the destination.
  • Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.

ULTRAMAR EXPRESS, TUI GROUP

Destination Manager
01.1995 - 02.2001

Job overview

  • Destination management for TUI Group tour operators managing agency and receptive tour logistics operation (recruitment, management and control, transfers, excursions program design, groups and special services, bookings, administration, payments, etc): Dominican Republic, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura.
  • CUBA: Joint venture with CUBANACAN analysis and proposal. (1995)
  • Analysis of operations and evaluation of investment proposals of the TUI Group (in Gran Canaria and the Dominican Republic). Cap Vert market study.
  • Main Projects: Development of the "Leisure Project" in tourist destinations as a source of business to promote the TUI brand through strategic vertical integration. Increased sales and revenue by 15-25%

GRAN CANARIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

International Trade Analyst
01.1991 - 01.1995

Job overview

  • Permanent management of statistics and market studies on imports/exports. Field market studies in most West African countries.
  • Researched macroeconomic, industry, and company-specific data to inform investment decisions.
  • Customized advice to export-import companies.
  • Organization of trade missions: Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Cape Vert, Morocco, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Mali, etc

Education

ICDM - ESIC
MADRID

Specialized Course from BIG DATA ANALYTICS
05.2019

ESIC (ESCUELA SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIÓN COMERCIAL)
MADRID - GRAN CANARIA

MASTER from INTERNATIONAL MARKETING MANAGEMENT
1992

THE UNIVERSITY OF WALES & ESCOEX
GRAN CANARIA

BACHELOR from INTERNATIONAL TRADE
1991

Skills

  • Communication and PR, speaker, public representative and stake holder relations Credibility
  • Strong leadership skills, employee motivation, team building
  • Strategic thinking, problem solver, decision maker
  • Quick analysis of hypothetical and theoretical scenarios Divergent thinking
  • Active initiative looking for business growth opportunities Business consulting
  • Team work, talent retention and good working environment making people feel proud of their effort and results
  • Deep vertical expertise in tourism in public and private sector, regional and multinational companies
  • Curiosity and permanent learning attitude, innovation and creativity

Additional Information

CANARIAS FORTALEZA: In March 2020, I designed an emergency strategic plan during the global pandemic situation for the Canary Islands Government (becoming the first world destination with a pandemic safety plan, procedure and protocols validated by the WTO in July 2020) - researched and negotiated with pharmaceutical labs, WHO, WTO, European governments, and touristic companies to provide the perception of a safe way to travel during the pandemic. (Test Before Travel initiative)

Languages

English
Advanced (C1)
French
Elementary (A2)

Affiliations

Red Cross International, ACNUR, CEAR, Spanish Association Against Cancer, Medicos sin Fronteras, Medicos del Mundo, Aldeas Infantiles, Water for Yemen,...

Personal Information

I have been working for 32 years, 27 of which have been in management positions. During this time I have also been able to build a beautiful family with three children (26, 25, 16) with whom I like to travel, cook and take care of the garden and the family pets. 

On a personal level, I like to do crafts, write, read, and listen to music.

Timeline

Director (Canary Islands)

SGAE, Sociedad General de Autores y Editores
07.2012 - 12.2022

Managing Director

THE TOURIST BOARD OF GRAN CANARIA
09.2007 - 05.2011

Owner and Senior Manager, Strategic Advisor

Cristina del Río Fresen, SLNE
01.2005 - 07.2007

Managing Director

THE TOURIST BOARD OF GRAN CANARIA
03.2001 - 07.2004

Destination Manager

ULTRAMAR EXPRESS, TUI GROUP
01.1995 - 02.2001

International Trade Analyst

GRAN CANARIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
01.1991 - 01.1995

ICDM - ESIC

Specialized Course from BIG DATA ANALYTICS

ESIC (ESCUELA SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIÓN COMERCIAL)

MASTER from INTERNATIONAL MARKETING MANAGEMENT

THE UNIVERSITY OF WALES & ESCOEX

BACHELOR from INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Cristina Del Río FresenStrategy and management