20 Questions With Martha Austin, Director of Sales, Playa Hotels and Resorts (2024)

Martha Austin is the director of sales at Playa Hotels and Resorts. She’s also a Women Leading Travel & Hospitality member! In this member spotlight, we asked Martha a series of questions about both her professional role and personal life, including the woman who inspires her, her leadership style, her advice for the next generation of female leaders, and much more.

1. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
   I am part of a neighborhood book club, so I have read some amazing books. My latest guilty pleasure is the series “Magical Midlife Madness”. I am addicted!

2. What do you love most about the industry?
   I have been in the industry since I was 18 years old, so 36 years. I love the versatility, the community, the options to try different areas within the industry. It’s an amazing field of which I am a part.
3. What is something the community may be surprised to learn about you?
   This one will definitely show my age. In the mid-80s there was a TV show called “Hotel” starring Connie Sellecca. I watched it every week; I thought she looked so glamorous walking down those big stairs. That is what influenced my decision to go to college for Hotel Management.
4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
   Making the hard decisions — people’s livelihoods are in your hands. I lead two different group sales teams; one for MICE and one for Social Groups. There are so many decisions that influence their bonuses, their work day, all of it. These are decisions that also affect all the staff at our 22 all-inclusive resorts.
5. What’s the best way you motivate teammembers?
   There is no one size that works for all. I find being my authentic self is the best. I get to know everyone that I work with: what motivates them, their life stories, what gets them up each day to do their jobs. Some are more motivated by income, some need the occasional pat on the back, and others want autonomy.
6. What woman inspires you right now and why?
   Right now, my daughter. She is 30 years old and was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer last year. I moved in with her and her husband for four months to help during chemotherapy and surgery. She worked through most of it, made sure her husband felt appreciated, ensured she kept in touch with her friends and the 13-year-old she mentors. She has the most incredible self-drive, outlook on life and just rolls with the tide. We could all take a page from her book.
7. Where do you believe the future of the industry is headed?
   I am sure that many will say AI or travel to the moon, but this industry has always been based on relationships, and I believe it will always be rooted in relationships. I also believe the COVID-19 years strengthened those bonds and changed the way customers and hoteliers look at each other. In my company, we no longer ask, ‘Is it a buyers or sellers market?’ Instead, we continue to partner with our clients for the best outcome for both.
8. What is one thing you look for when interviewing a potential candidate?
   The authentic soft skills. I can teach the hard skills, but the soft skills people have or they don’t.
9. What’s have you learned about yourself in the past year?
   That it’s OK to not be OK and that my team has me. When you have an amazing team of coworkers, the hard times are easier.
10. What’s your favorite podcast?
    Mel Robbins. She has such an amazing personality and brings on the best experts.
11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Authenticity, integrity, empathy, and discipline. Let’s be honest: it’s been hard to be a woman in the boys’ world. Thirty-plus years into this and it’s best to just be myself.
12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
    I can come off hard or reserved at first. I am hard on myself and expect a lot of others, but I also believe that you need to give yourself and others grace. There is so much going on in the world. You don’t always know what is going on in someone’s life.
13. Do you prefer to work in the office, at home, or hybrid?
    Hybrid. I think people get more done at home — it can be focused and uninterrupted — but brainstorming and creativity is best in person.
14. Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
    I find something tolove about everywhere Igo, but tobe honest, a beautiful lake surroundedby mountains is my happy place.
15. What is a top item on your bucket list?
    Italy. My daughter and I are going in May 2025. We can’t wait.
16. What do you do to recharge?
    I am a huge nature lover. I live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in South Carolina. I have an annual pass to South Carolina and Georgia state parks. I love to get out in nature by myself. It’s the best.
17. What is your biggest accomplishment?
    This is very personal, but divorcing my first husband. He was a very abusive man and I wasn’t sure I would make it on my own with my daughter, but I couldn’t stay there either. Leaving was the scariest and bravest thing I have done.
18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    Observe, learn, and don’t be afraid to be who you are. There is no one way to do something.
19. What gets you up in the morning?
    My team – I love helping them grow and succeed. On the weekends, it’s recharge time.
20. What do you like most about being amemberof Women Leading Travel & Hospitality?
    I joined only a few months ago, but I am looking forward to meeting so many of you and learning from all of you.

Interested in connecting with women like Martha? Apply today to become a Women Leading Travel & Hospitality member!