Neil Castaldi’s academic preparation for a life in hospitality consisted of his business degree from the University of Naples in Naples, Italy. His degree gave him the needed background in bookkeeping, accounting, marketing and related business skills to set him on the road to success. It was his next steps which gave him an education in the hard knocks of hospitality: his work in the luxury cruise industry. It was to Neil Castaldi’s benefit that he learned hospitality from the ground up, starting in rooms and maintenance, and branching out into other facets of guest services on luxury high seas cruises. “It was run like the military,” Neil recalled. “We had inspections.”
Hospitality is an umbrella term for guest services in a number of different service fields, including theme parks, lodging, event planning, transportation, cruise lines, resorts, casinos and other aspects of the tourism industry. Disposable income and leisure time are necessities for the public which supports this multibillion dollar enterprise, which Neil Castaldi’s creative ability with concept themes successfully attracts. Within only one hospitality facility like an amusement park, hotel or restaurant exist various other functions: maintenance, servers, housekeepers, porters, kitchen workers, bartenders, marketers, human resources, and management are just a few of the working parts managed by Neil Castaldi.
The number one priority of managers in hospitality is the vacancy rate. Restauranteurs, hoteliers, resort operations VP’s and owners, must strive constantly to maximize the usage rate in their venues. Maximizing customers is a priority, and any service, product or promotion which increases usage rate is a sought after commodity. Managers like Neil Castaldi are very concerned with how to increase their competitive advantage in attracting and keeping customers, and forces like location, support for the physical plant in terms of upkeep and the services provided therein, and the creative themes and approaches designed by marketing professionals take a high precedence over lesser concerns. A separate but vital part of hospitality are the employed personnel who work with customers. Professionalism and authenticity is communicated from the organization to the customer through these employees, who when successful give the hospitality venue a clear advantage.
Resorts and resort towns have now become a moniker for self-contained commercial hospitality, where relaxation and recreation are catered to in a variety of ways. Pools and lakes for swimming and water recreation, food, drink, lodging, sports, entertainment and shopping amenities are all included at one location; thus the term all-inclusive is often applied.
Neil Castaldi - Managing Partner of Nottoway Plantation 