RUES Hotel Management & Consulting
Founder's Background
Eberhardt H. Rues was born in Stuttgart, Germany. Continuing the hotel tradition begun by his parents a second generation of innkeepers and gastronomes - the owners of the "Gasthaus zum Hirsch" in Esslingen. In 1955, following the traditional European hotel career educational route, he worked his way up from bellboy and apprentice cook, starting at the Park Hotel in Stuttgart, to top level management.
Rues is an innovative and seasoned Senior Hotel Executive and Hotel, Eco-Tourism Consultant, Teacher and Writer, with a successful track record with the following hotel chains: Inter-Continental, Hilton, Melia, Sheraton, Club Aldiana, Radisson Plaza, Holland America Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises. He also is active at various hotel and eco-tourism destination development and marketing consulting assignments on 5 continents in Europe, North and Latin America, Africa and Asia for over 45 years. Rues is recognized for exceptional problem solving and the development of motivational skill in crises, turnaround and start-up situations.
Rues’ Sustainable Accomplishments
2010 Designed and developed a capacity building program for the enhancement of “Nicaraguan Gastronomy and Quality Service”, “Sustainable Restaurant Management,” and “Eco-Tourism Development.” In conjuntion of a work shop for the owners and staff of small restaurants and hotels, in Granada, Nicaragua. Consulting assignment for AL INVEST, APEN, Managua, Nicaragua. March, 2010.
2009 Designed and developed a Community Development Plan and elaborated a “Strength and Weakness List” for five communities in the Department of Neembuco, Paraguay. Consulting assignment for the KOLPING Foundation, Asuncion, Paraguay. February, 2009.
2008 Designed two project proposals: An “Analysis Project Feasibility” for the “Coatepeque Eco Resort, an Environmental Oriented Convention Resort and Health Spa.” As well as an “Eco-Tourism Incoming Travel Program.” For “U Travel and Planet Tours” respectively. San Salvador, El Salvador. September, 2008.
2007 Introduced and launched parts of the project “Environmental Learning and Investigation Center” (ELIC) linked with the existing “Environmental Farming Pilot Project” – PLEMASE - on 75 hectares land on the Isle of Youth, Isla de la Juventud, Cuba, operated by the Evangelic Lutheran Church of Cuba, in Nueva Gerona. July, 2007
2007 Participated in the Canadian Competition of “RIDELC” (Red Internacional de Desarrollo Economico Local y Comunitario) for Latin America, with the Case Study of “Working Together – Capacity Building’ for the Benefit of EcoTourism Development and Education” experiences of Bolivia, 1994 – 1997.
2006 Participated in the site selection and designed the “Sundarban EcoWorld” sustainable development project; near the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, West Bengal, India. February to April, 2006.
2004 Co-designed, coordinated and participated at “The First Eco-Tourism Exhibition of Bolivia-FEXPOTUR” held at the JW Marriott Hotel, Miami, Florida.
2004 Participated as exhibitor at two Birding & Wildlife Festivals in Titusville and Cedar Key, Florida.
2000 - to present Designed and developed a destination-marketing project of "The Original Florida" for Brevard County’s Tourism Development Council (TDC) starting with Florida’s Space Coast principal identity "Nature and Space", targeting the German speaking and European markets. In conjunction with the promotion and marketing of EcoTourism destinations of "Florida's off the beaten path regions", throughout the Sunshine State.
1997 Introduced and implemented Western Management System for OTC - Overseas Travel Corporation – a Cruise Ship Company of 16 smaller ships on the Yangtze River, Wuhan, China.
1996 Introduced and implemented “Environmental Cruise Ship Management” within the Hotel Operation Department on the "SS. Sun Viking" (South East Asia Cruises) Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Rues held the position of Hotel Manager.
1995 Designed, coordinated and implemented the "First Forum on Eco-Tourism and Sustainable Tourism – Latin America and Europe" - held at the Radisson Plaza, La Paz, Bolivia. The forum was co-sponsered by the European Commission.
1994 – 1996 Directed the pre-opening of the Radisson Plaza, La Paz, Bolivia, the first Radisson hotel, in South America in July 1994. Rues held the position of Corporate General Manager for three hotels of the Bolivian Hotel Management Company (Hotelera Nacional) where he implemented and developed at all three hotels: Radisson, Plaza, and EcoResort San Bartolome; "Integrated Environmental Management and Marketing Systems".
1994 Designed, launched and developed the “first voluntary environmental hotel group:” RUES Hotel Selection EcoFriendly Hotels Worldwide, in Bolivia, 1994. In 2010, RHS EcoFriendly Hotels/Lodges have over 100 partners in 18 countries on four continents. Rues long term objectives pursue the support and promotion of all types, sizes and categories of environmentally oriented lodgings. He also actively supports rural communities aiming to enhance “Sustainable and Eco-Agro Tourism Development and Capacity Building” around the globe, up to this date, 2011 and beyond.
1993 - 1994 Designed, introduced and implemented the first curriculums of "Eco Tourism and Eco Hotel Management and Marketing" in The Americas. In conjunction with the Dual Education System at the Technological Institute of Monterrey (ITESM) - for Hotel and Tourism Studies-Campus Mazatlan, Mexico. Rues held the position of Director of Hotel & Tourism Studies.
1976 – 1980 Designed, developed, managed and owned the first "RUES EcoLodge Village and Nature Conservancy" on 78 hectares of land in the Amazon region of Ecuador. Result: Four years of laying ground toward setting good example that Eco-Rain Forest Lodges can play an important role toward environmental conservation, sustainability and stewardship: The RUES Eco Lodge was flooded in 1980, claiming the loss of two visiting settlers and financial losses of over US$300,000. A decisive moment in Rues’ hotel career: First, he made a promise to share and lecture about his Amazon’s experience. Second, to continue the challenging path toward "Sustainable and Responsible Tourism Development", around the world, for many years to come. Third, the sad loss of Rues’ dream was the reason why he rejoined International Hotels in 1981.
Education
Technical Institute of Monterrey (ITESM) Campus Mazatlan, Mexico
1993 - 1994 Academic Teaching Courses of 4 weeks. Diploma.
School of Hotel Administration - Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Management Summer Courses of 2 weeks:
1974 Hotel Design and Development. Diploma;
1987 Hotel Renovations and Feasibility Process. Diploma.
Hotel School, Lucerne, Switzerland
1964 Hotel Administration Studies. Diploma.
Hotel School Bad Ueberkingen, Germany
1956 – 1959 Culinary Studies for Cook Apprenticeship in conjunction with Basic Hotel Operation. Certificate.
Industry and Chamber of Commerce, Stuttgart, Germany
1959 Final Exam for Certified Cook. Diploma. (Gehilfenbrief)
Languages: Spoken and written fluently: English, Spanish, French, Italian and German (mother tongue)