Area/Topic
South America, Destination Management, Career

Dalia Gibu
Regional Sales and Marketing Director
Abercrombie & Kent Latin America

Born and raised in Lima, with grandparents from Peru and from Okinawa.

Dalia always had a love for geography and arts. She studied Tourism management in Lima's San Martin University and afterwards two Master Degrees -one from the University of Alicante in Spain. She has over 20 years of experience in the fascinating field of tourism, including working in Mexico as a wedding planner for a five-star resort and later as Sales Manager for top luxury lodges and Amazon boats in Peru. She has been with A&K for over 13 years as their Regional Sales Director, but what she loves the most is creating new experiences along with her teams in Latin America. She is an adventurous traveler who loves hiking in the mountains, trying every local dish and new flavor and who loves blending with locals and more so if that involves music. In her free time, she loves singing, dancing and riding her bike around her hometown Lima.

https://www.akdmc.com/

Here the link to watch all the University videos (6) A&K South America University 2023 - 2024 | 15-Minute Instant-Expert Webinars | English - YouTube

Summary

In this episode, Dalia Gibu, the regional sales and marketing director for Abercrombie and Kent, Latin America, shares her journey in the adventure travel industry. She discusses her early interest in travel and hospitality, her passion for learning languages through music, and the impact of technology on language learning. Dahlia emphasizes the importance of different personalities in a team and the role of destination management companies (DMCs) in ensuring smooth operations and providing expert knowledge of the destination. She also introduces the University program, a series of webinars and informational sessions that educate travel agents and operators about South America. Dalia highlights the charm and resilience of Medellin, Colombia, and the generational perspective on travel and safety. In this conversation, Dalia Gibu shares her insights and experiences about Latin culture, dancing, and her passion for travel.  Dalia also highlights the beauty of South America and the experiences she recommends, such as hiking in El Chalten and exploring the culinary scene in Lima. She emphasizes the empowerment of women in the tourism industry and the positive impact they can make. Dalia concludes by discussing the diverse and delicious food experiences in Latin America, particularly in Lima, Buenos Aires, and Bogota.

Takeaways

• Learning languages through music can be an effective and enjoyable way to practice and improve language skills.
• The role of destination management companies (DMCs) is to provide expert knowledge of the destination, ensure smooth operations, and work closely with travel agents and operators.
• The University program by Abercrombie and Kent offers educational resources and inspiration for travel agents, operators, and anyone interested in learning more about South America.
• Medellin, Colombia, is a vibrant city with a resilient and welcoming community, offering a wide range of cultural, culinary, and natural experiences. Latin culture is rich and diverse, with a strong emphasis on dancing and community.
• South America offers a wide range of experiences, from hiking in El Chalten to exploring the culinary scene in Lima.
• Women play a significant role in the tourism

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