Born and raised in Long Island, New York. Married with 1 child. Paul and his family currently reside in the Washington, D.C. area.
| Island Hideaways, Inc. | 1986 - 2007 | Founder and Operator |
| CaribbeanEdge.com | 2004 - Current | Founder and Operator |
| Fairfax World Travel and Cruise, Ltd. | 2008 | Founder and Operator |
| TakeUsCruising.com | 2008 | Founder and Operator |
| Motivational Speaking - Entrepreneurship | 2008 |
| American University | 1985 - 1986 | Kogod School of Business, Graduate Studies |
| SUNY Oneonta | 1982 | BS, Political Science |
Paul Mermelstein has enjoyed an impeccable national reputation in the travel industry for over 22 years. Paul founded his first travel company, Island Hideaways, Inc., at the age of 25 in 1986. Island Hideaways is a luxury villa rental company with hundreds of property listings though out the Caribbean. Paul has planned trips for Oscar and Emmy winning A-list stars, ambassadors, CEO’s, network anchors, and world championship athletes. After enjoying tremendous success with great sales growth for the full duration of his ownership, Paul sold Island Hideaways in May, 2007.
During his tenure at Island Hideaways the business received accolades from Forbes Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Associated Press, Caribbean Travel and Life, Condé Nast Traveler Magazine and other fine publications. Paul was selected as one of the leading agent specialists in the world by Conde Naste Traveler in 2006 and 2007.
As Editor and Publisher of CaribbeanEdge.com, Paul is able to share his love and expertise of Caribbean travel with tens of thousands of travelers every month. Caribbean Edge Magazine is an online publication designed to give vacation travelers an edge with unbiased reviews, information and tips by Caribbean Travelers. The website is a user and sponsor-supported community of Caribbean experts, travelers and enthusiasts.
Paul’s continuing passion for travel and entrepreneurship has led to his newest endeavors. It is with great excitement that Paul brings his expertise and service reputation to Fairfax World Travel and Cruise. Fairfax World Travel and Cruise, LTD. provides cruise, hotel, and vacation packages at worldwide destinations. (fairfaxtravel.com)
TakeUsCruising.com is a cruise only travel website. Paul is a Cruise Counselor and member of the Cruise Line International Association. He has cruised many, many times in locations around the world and has attended numerous seminars, ship inspections and training classes geared toward increasing his cruise knowledge and providing expert service to his travelers.
In 2008, Paul has decided to share his story, passion, and motivation for entrepreneurship with students and young professionals. It is his hope to inspire those persons who are “sitting on the fence” to take the plunge toward the betterment of their careers and improvement of their lifestyles by starting their own businesses. Paul has been a featured speaker at the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland.
| Telephone | 703 722 6070 |
| paul@paulmermelstein.com |