Petro Steunenberg

• Overall management of all operations of the lodge, as well as staff supervision and guest services
• Full management of all staff (57)
• Full responsibility for the care, safety and enjoyment of all guests
• Supervision of the tour department including all tour equipment, tour guides and externaltour operators
• Oversight on ongoing and new projects at the lodge
• Control expenditures to remain within budgets
• -Continuous efforts to improve the lodge efforts in sustainability
• Daily involvement in overseeing the landscaping, maintenance ,organic garden and farming activities of the lodge
• awareness of trends, incidents and developments of the hospitality sector in Belize
• Monitoring the resort's role in the industry, it’s position and it’s reputation at all times
• Training of all new staff in all front desk duties and 5* guest services
• Mentored department managers, fostering a culture of professional development and operational accountability.
• Oversaw compliance with health and safety regulations, ensuring a secure environment for guests and staff.
• Cultivated partnerships with local businesses to create unique packages that attract diverse clientele.
• Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
• Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
• Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring personnel on management principles, industry practices, company procedures, and technology systems.
• Developed and executed strategic plans for business growth and expansion, resulting in increased market share.

• Overall management of all operations of the lodge, as well as the Tour Company Black Rock Expeditions
• Full management of all staff (52)
• Reporting of daily operations to the owner in US and continuous communication via Skype
• Full responsibility for the care, safety and enjoyment of all guests
• Supervision of the tour department
• Oversight on ongoing and new projects at the lodge
• Control expenditures to remain within budgets
• Continuous efforts to improve the lodge efforts in sustainability
• daily involvement in the overseeing of landscaping, maintenance and farming activities of the lodge
• awareness of trends, incidents and developments of the hospitality sector in Belize
• Monitoring BRL’s role in the industry, it’s position and it’s reputation at all times
• overseeing the marketing in conjunction with the marketing company –providing blogs, text, content and ensuring the continuous updating of the website and social media
• recommending improvements and necessary changes in all aspects of the lodge
• manage and supervise the housekeeping, cabin interiors, amenities, maintenance

My sister and brother in law, Renee & Kevin Brown, approached us on our return to Belize, to undertake the setting up of a guesthouse and restaurant facility on their 52 acre property in San Antonio.

We were responsible for the creation of all processes and we needed to implement a complete business plan and bookkeeping system for The Farm Inn. We manage all aspects of the property – guesthouse, administration, restaurant, bar, meals, supplies, guest relations, tours, reservations, maintenance, and certain aspects of the farming.

The Farm Inn and particularly the restaurant gained impetus in the hospitality industry in Toledo and we are proud to have been part of the process. The Farm Inn opened officially in March 2012 and its first year was resoundingly successful.

4* guesthouse on the beach in Wilderness -10 luxury suites and 6 self catering units

Rooms capacity: 50 guests max Staff : 8

Administrative Functions

• All correspondence – e-mail , telephonic, internet based with travel agencies and guests
• Handled all reservations, description and allocation of rooms
• Monthly stock taking of food stuffs, amenities, bar, cleaning materials

Guest Services

• Full guest liaison duties from arrival to check out
• All arrangements for guests: car hire, activities, reservations, itinerary planning of day trips
• Ensured that special needs were met i.e disabled guests
• Arranged special requests for honeymoon couples
• catered for guests for special dinners, picnics etc when requested
• Supervised luggage handling
• Handled any complaints or problems

Marketing and Events

• Created business cards, brochures, flyers where required
• Co-ordinated a wedding and reception for 60 guests
• Maintained ongoing correspondence with agencies
• Assisted the owners with ideas and content for an updated website

Restaurant

• All breakfasts were prepared by Pieter and I and we would occasionally do lunches and dinners on request.

5* luxury beach resort owned by Francis Ford Coppola in Belize

Full service, luxury beach thatch cabanas, 3 restaurants, spa, dive shop

Rooms capacity: 70 Staff: 136

We were called on to assist on a temporary basis prior to our departure for SA. I was appointed as Guest Services Manager. We were fulfilling merely a supervisory role for about two months until the manager returned from her annual leave.

I was overseeing the full front desk service and guest services .

We returned to South Africa in August 2009.

A 32 suite luxury full service resort in Placencia, Belize consisting of fully equipped luxury one-, two- or three bedroomed suites, a public restaurant & bar.

Capacity in rooms: 120 guests

Capacity in restaurant: 50 -60

Staff : 16

Administrative & operational functions

• Reservations, by e-mail, internet or telephone
• All correspondence with guests
• Orders, stock taking and purchases of all amenities stock, housekeeping requirements, office requirements, laundry supplies
• Trained and supervised 5 housekeepers
• Prepared duty rosters for housekeepers
• Prepared room allocation lists for cleaning, arrivals/departures
• Personally checked rooms prior to check in and on check out
• Supervised provisions of amenities in rooms
• Interviewed and appointed housekeepers
• Ensured that environmentally friendly laundry procedures were in place and maintained
• Initiated a laundry service for guests

Guest Services

• All local travel arrangements
• Arranged pick –up and drop –off of guests at local airstrip
• Co-ordinated all activities and adventures for guests – dinner reservations, snorkelling, fishing, diving, jungle trips, historical ruins, sailing, sightseeing
• Co-ordinated spa treatments and massage sessions in the privacy of their suites or on the beach

Marketing/ PR / Events Management

• Designed flyers, brochures, invitations, menu’s, advertising layouts
• Planned and supervised a beach wedding and reception for 120 guests
• Honeymoon couples were treated to lavish displays of candles, wine, flowers in room, candlelit dinners served on their patio’s, special massage treatments
• Opened a gift shop adjacent to the office for displays of local wood craft, art and jewellery
• Our annual Easter Egg hunt for children was enhanced by a Treasure Hunt for adults which was a magnificent success