TEAM
FRANZ E. BUCHHALTER
President and Founder
Franz Buchhalter brings to the table more than 25 years of experience in the travel industry. He developed his extensive expertise by working with companies such as Westin, Sheraton, Hyatt, Abercrombie & Kent, and Kerzner International Hotels. He has performed an array of services, from opening and marketing to selling international hotel brands, including Atlantis, Paradise Island Bahamas, One & Only Resorts (Bahamas and Mexico), The Cove Atlantis and The Reef Atlantis. Franz is a respected professional whose extensive marketing alliances include American Express, MasterCard and the luxury consortia. Franz has been on several industry panels and has been a speaker at numerous industry events. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
CYNTHIA HOWLAND
Senior Vice President Communications
Cynthia is a highly accomplished and results-oriented senior sales, marketing, and operations executive with extensive experience and capabilities in hospitality, travel, and tourism. She possesses a proven track record in identifying opportunities and providing creative and effective solutions, efficiencies and improvements within most hospitality disciplines, including operations, technology systems solutions, marketing promotions, training, sales, customer service, quality assurance, and product development. Her experience was earned by working in top executive roles with companies like Kerzner International Resorts where she worked for over 14 years as Senior Vice President overseeing the direct consumer sales strategy and the company’s central reservations center. She also worked for a Premier Cruise Line as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing where she oversaw the brand positioning and development of all marketing communications and with leading tour operator brands such as Delta Dream Vacations, American Express Vacations, and Continental Vacations as Senior Director of Marketing. Travel Agent Magazine has recognized Cynthia as one of the 100 most influential women in the industry.
IVONNE BUCHHALTER
Vice President Industry Relations
Ivonne’s career spans more than 25 years in the travel industry having worked in the hotel and aviation industry. Her professional career began with Hyatt Corporation in the Latin American Division, later she joined OAG and worked there for more than 20 years handling the Latin American markets. She is a graduate of Barry University with a degree in Business Administrations. Ivonne also is part of the Sales Team handling the New York and Florida markets. Ivonne coordinates the relationship between Buchhalter International Group and its partners. Ivonne is also fluent in Spanish.