Midweek catch-up with SAHARA Las Vegas’ Michelle Sandoval

It’s that time of the week again so we caught up with Michelle Sandoval, VP hotel operations, SAHARA Las Vegas, who gave us her insights on recovering from the pandemic.
What’s your main goal for this year?
This year I’m looking forward to putting the last pieces back in place that were dismantled during the pandemic. I feel like we’ve been somewhat treading water since March 2020, and now with COVID restrictions finally relaxed, coupled with a revitalized international travel segment and a seemingly robust convention year, I’m super optimistic about being able to refocus the team on a more targeted approach to both service and revenue initiatives. Along with that, I am very focused on our team, their working conditions, and metal health – all things that were heavily impacted during the last three years as we navigated our operation through the perpetual challenges. It feels like we can breathe a little now, refocus and reenergize the team as we move forward.
What’s your favourite thing about working in the travel industry?
I love my piece of the travel industry in that we get to welcome guests from all over the world and many times we’re a part of their special occasion or event. If we do it right, we then also become part of the memories that are made. Of course, being in Las Vegas makes our job a lot more exciting, and although it sounds cliché, I honestly love being a part of the celebration and great guest experiences Vegas has become known for.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Any free time I have is spent with my family. My husband and our children are most important to me and whether it’s a long vacation or a movie night at home, they are it for me.
Have you managed to do any travelling since restrictions began to ease (domestic or international)?
I’ve done some domestic travel over the last 18 months, mostly short trips close in proximity for family events. I found that prior to mid/end of 2021 protocols in most places were still so restrictive, so I chose to wait it out. Key West was an exception and by far my favorite post-pandemic trip, mostly because it appeared as if they came out of the pandemic unscathed with the operational challenges everyone else was faced with. Plenty of staff, all amenities offered, no restrictions with operating hours, etc. It honestly gave me the first glimpse of hope for the future of our industry.
If you could invite three famous guests (dead or alive) to a dinner party, who would you choose?
Interesting question! In no particular order, Drew Barrymore, Maria Shriver, and Rick Warren.
What’s something positive you’ve witnessed or experienced since the global pandemic hit?
For me, I was surprised and encouraged by the fortitude on display by the team of people I work with. We closed, as much of the world did, in early March assuming it would be over soon. Re-opening with heavy restrictions and a fraction of our traditional business volumes, we then kept believing we would start turning the corner soon. Soon turned into nearly three years later, and the in-between time was so tough. Whether it be the COVID restrictions, the shift in (lack of) business, the challenges with supply chains, and then ultimately an almost insurmountable lack of workforce to service the business that finally came back, we just kept pushing the rock uphill. Now, seemingly on the other side, I look back with such admiration and appreciation at the work that was done to steward our business through the pandemic and the collateral damage it brought with it.
What’s your advice for others in the travel industry on coping with the global pandemic?
I found it helpful to stay focused, and keep my team focused on what we can do vs. what we can’t. Each year of this pandemic has brought new challenges different from the previous year’s challenges, and still uncharted territory in most cases. Being both flexible and patient with the process, with our employees, and with our customers helps with not focusing on the way things were done pre-pandemic and allows for dealing with the challenge in front of us. I noticed a lot of businesses got stuck and instead of flexing into their new environment, it was easier to say “no” or “due to the pandemic we no longer …”. It made for a stressful work environment and in most cases a terrible guest experience.
What book and/or TV show can you not get enough of lately?
“Glad You’re Here” by Walker Hayes & Craig Allen Cooper, and I just reread (actually re-listened, I’m more a fan of audio books) “Tuesdays with Morrie” every human should read this book! I’m late to the game, but currently watching “The Crown” & I’m loving the history and Queen Elizabeth’s back story.
Do you have any travel goals for 2022?
No lofty travel goals this year, I’m really looking forward to my family’s annual summer trip to Newport Beach, and we might squeeze in Nashville in the fall.
Latest News

Klook hosts inaugural Partner Awards with Tourism Australia’s Pip Harrison as special guest
Travel activities and experiences booking platform, Klook, held its inaugural Klook Partner Awards event in Sydney last night honouring its top-performing and best-loved merchant partners. Tourism Australia’s Pip Harrison, who was invited to the event as the guest of honour, spoke about the importance of experiences. “I think that experiences are absolutely everything,” she said. […]

APT Travel Group launches early release of 2026 Canada and Alaska Holidays
For anyone with clients craving an icy getaway, APT is serving up some steals right now.

Film, photography and so much more to explore this year in Berlin
Often known for its grungy aesthetics, or perhaps a currywurst stall, there's so much more on offer this year in Berlin.

TravelManagers welcomes two new directors to HOTA Board
We wish Narendra and Judith the best of luck in trying to remember the rest of the Boards' names.

Tauck celebrates 100 years of hosting travellers around the globe
Tauck would only ever celebrate its 100th birthday in pure style - and Italy is just that!

Travelglobe unveils exclusive food tour with MasterChef’s Kirsten Tibballs
Fancy brushing up on your skills making delicious chocolate and pastry-based treats? Meet us on this tour!

Fiji Airways to bring South Australians closer to paradise with third weekly flight from Adelaide in April
South Australians might say they're already in Paradise, but how can they be sure without checking Fiji out?

Bookings for Vanuatu surge with Aussies ready to support earthquake-struck tourism hotspot
In times like those Vanuatu is surfacing from, the tourism dollar goes a long way and Aussies aren't holding back.

Bullo River Station shares its first ever sustainability report
If you would like to be inspired to be a little more green, then check out what Bullo River Station is up to.

‘Fortune favours the bold’: luxury brand leader Anna Burgdorf departs Flight Centre after 6 years
Time for a pop quiz - who first came up with above quote? Was it A) Virgil B) Shakespeare or C) Aristotle?

Cruise Guru unveils Channel Nine show featuring Ponant, Viking, NCL and more
A little offended that we weren't invited on as the 'Cruise Guru' ourselves, but we'll be tuning in regardless.

Explore Worldwide gives agents a chance to win an exclusive Sri Lanka famil
It's like finding a ticket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! And the prize is even better than unlimited sweets.

Heathrow Airport to upgrade operations as part of multi-billion-pound cash injection
We're usually a bit scared of injections, however a 'cash injection' is one we would welcome with both arms (literally).

Club Med announces Manveer Ramdhian as new MICE manager in Pacific
Rest-assured, being a MICE manager has nothing to do with our furry little friends.

Sydney Airport welcomes daily flights from Hong Kong Airlines
To top it all off, it looks like the representatives scored a cracker of a day for the celebratory photo!

Collette’s Karen Deveson on what Aussies really want from luxury
For Aussies, we're a little bit more laid back when it comes to luxury. No gold-plated cars for us, thanks!

Intrepid Travel partners with Helloworld Travel for exclusive food tour with Luke Nguyen
Vietnamese is one of our favourite cuisines, so we're headed to the Bánh mì shop for lunch in celebration.

Quark Expeditions opens its Antarctic 2026/27 season
You'd have to be Quarking mad to not have a trip like this on your bucket list.

Federal government to purchase REX Airlines if no buyers arise, Albanese says
News that is sure to ruffle some feathers in the offices of competing airlines this morning, but we're all for it!

Topdeck discounts select 2025-26 trips with up to $1,000 off
Knowing my Gen Z sister, that $1,000 saved would be headed straight to the shopping fund.

Windstar Cruises unveils ‘Basil + Bamboo’ on Star Seeker yacht
Don't worry, we're talking about a restaurant here, not the materials used to build the stunning yacht.

Captain Cook Cruises celebrates 55 years of excellence on the water in the habour city
With a view like Sydney Harbour as your office this would be a hard job to leave.

TravelManagers’ Michael Gazal: ‘Agents are spending a lot of time on bespoke trips’
If you haven't already thrown out your cookie cutter mentality, please do so now.

JP Morgan Chase grows travel offering with tech partnership
Our inner bohemian spirit strongly objects to buying travel from an investment bank. #sorrynotsorry

Helloworld celebrates Valentines Day with Air Ticket sale
Nothing gets travel agents' hearts fluttering more than discounted air fares. It is a love language.

Agents return from Sno’n’Ski Whistler and Vancouver famil
If you want to be really jealous this lunchtime, check out what these four agents got up to in Vancouver.

2025 Taipei Lantern Festival lights up Ximending
We hope our boss currently on the ground is as impressed with the snake lantern in person as we are behind the screen.

Numbers reveal how hard it REALLY is to become ATIA accredited
If you have ever failed to be accredited by ATIA then this article will make you feel better. Dust off that form!

Travel agent STILL waiting on $15k Bamboo Airways refund 16 MONTHS after carrier left Australia
This has motivated us to stop complaining about the time we got one less chicken nugget than expected.

AIME 2025 is underway!
If you're headed down to AIME we hope you brought your networking shoes because it's going to be big!

dnata spends $17m on inflight catering centre at Western Sydney Airport
Airline food has come a long was from the days you would be given a dry roll and a long strip of cheese. Time for lunch?

AYANA Bali invites guests to experience the Sacred Day of Silence
When our Balinese taxi driver informed us that it was 'time to be silent', we just assumed we were talking too much.

Brand USA launches inaugural ‘Ambassador Panel’ for ANZ agents
Interested agents need to send in a video of them singing 'Born in the USA'. Okay we made that up...

Experience Co. calls on marketing expertise of Unique Tourism Collection for Wild Bush Luxury
You no longer need to choose between experiencing bush or experiencing luxury. You can do both!

Deserts, dates and doors: Inside the secret Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
For a trip that talks the talk, we can assure you, it certainly walks the walk!

Paw-Patrol returns to Reflections Bermagui as groups boasts $3.5m economic boost
Be careful where you leave your lunch around this holiday park, there will be plenty of noses paying attention.