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Date: 5/19/2021
SPRINGFIELD – Gillian Amaral and Stacey Warren are ready to put their 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry to use in Western Massachusetts. The duo has started their own business called Three Chics Hospitality, which will offer expertise in planning and organizing for groups traveling to the region.
According to Warren, Three Chics Hospitality is working as a collaborative sales and marketing effort to local group-friendly restaurants and attractions. They will act as an extension of a company’s sales team where they will work to market them to the motorcoach market and try to bring as many bus groups as possible to Western Massachusetts.
Amaral said this idea started about seven years ago, but only recently came to fruition.
“We knew there was a gap and there was a need to fill this gap in the Western Massachusetts area. We realized that it wasn't really time to execute this plan at that time, but I think this year and a half with COVID-19, it really set the stage that now is the time for us to move forward,” she said. “We’re excited to start and kick off officially.”
Both Warren and Amaral have been involved in the hospitality business for years. Warren’s parents owned a bed and breakfast when she was young and she also helped at their restaurant and catering business. She worked a hotel sales job for 18 years and said she later learned about bus groups and working with the motorcoach market.
“It has been a passion of mine ever since,” she said.
Amaral said she considers her career background a roadmap, where she first started at the Basketball Hall of Fame and then had various travel, tourism and hospitality jobs since then. She is currently an assistant professor of Management at Bay Path University.
The third “chic” of the business, according to both Warren and Amaral, is actually a pineapple. A pineapple is a symbol of hospitality, welcome and gracious hosting, all of which Warren and Amaral said members and tour groups can expect from them.
“With the services that we are offering, we want to try to offer the best hospitality that we can, so why not partner with hospitality as our third chic?” said Warren.
For now, Three Chics Hospitality plans to focus on the Western Massachusetts community. Warren said they eventually hope to branch out to other areas of the state as well.
“Right now we would like to get ourselves grounded with the Western Mass. area, attractions and restaurants and then definitely be able to branch out to the Berkshires and to a little more of Central Mass. before we reach that Boston area,” she said.
Both Warren and Amaral said that their passion, expertise and background in this market makes them a clear choice for someone looking for group travel planning and organizing. Warren said that they have great relationships in the group travel industry and continue to make more every day.
“We know how to sell and to market to this particular market,” she said.
Amaral also spoke on their great customer service and love for the business, which reflects in their work.
“We know how to go above and beyond. I think the level of service that you get with Stacey and I is really the selling point. What we offer is our passion, tenacity and our love for this business. You’re getting a package with us and I think that’s something you can’t get anywhere else,” she said.
With COVID-19 cases decreasing and many people vaccinated across the state, Warren and Amaral said they are excited for the travel industry to boom again. Warren said they have been in contact with travel groups over the past few months, who have said that many customers are ready to get out and about.
“Their groups are ready to travel, they’re ready to come back and they’re ready to come visit Western Mass and see what we have to offer them, and we’re ready. We would also like to help position the restaurants and attractions so that they are ready to accept and welcome all of these groups back,” she said.
Those interested in learning more information on Three Chics Hospitality are encouraged to visit their website at https://threechicshospitality.com.