It is a pleasure to welcome Alejandra Palma, the new Commercial Manager of Caminandes Agency. With vast experience in strategic alliance generation in the tourism sector, Alejandra joins our family today with the firm purpose of enhancing our services and solidifying San Pedro de Atacama, and Chile in general, as a dream destination for travelers from around the world.

1. How do you feel about being part of the Caminandes family as its new Commercial Manager?

I feel excited and grateful for the opportunity to join Caminandes. It is an honor to be part of a company with such a strong focus on service and experience. I am enthusiastic about contributing my expertise and vision to this talented team. I hope that, together, we can position our brand as a leading company in San Pedro de Atacama and Chile.

2. What motivated you to focus on tourism and the commercialization of the San Pedro de Atacama area?

San Pedro de Atacama is a unique and fascinating place, in addition to being one of the country’s main destinations. Its natural beauty and cultural richness inspire me to represent it with strength. Furthermore, the challenge of promoting a destination aligned with new global trends drives me to seek comprehensive improvements in the services we offer, and this is something I am deeply passionate about.

3. What has been the most rewarding experience you have had working in the tourism industry so far?

The most rewarding experience has been contributing to the creation of strategic alliances between tourism sector companies, both nationally and internationally. Seeing how these collaborations align the visitor’s desires with the available offerings allows people to discover our country consciously and with all the necessary information to be amazed by their visit. This has been truly satisfying for me.

4. What excites you most about Chile as a tourist destination, and what do you think are its main attractions for visitors?

What excites me the most about Chile is its natural and cultural diversity. From the Atacama Desert to Patagonia, passing through the Andes mountains, vineyards, forests, and its long coastline, Chile offers a unique range of landscapes and experiences. Its main attractions are its pristine nature, especially the Atacama Desert, Patagonia, and Easter Island.

5. What is your vision regarding the expansion of Caminandes’ operations in Santiago and other parts of Chile?

My vision is to establish Caminandes as a benchmark in national and international tourism, expanding our operations sustainably with a focus on quality and innovation. We must offer unique and memorable experiences to our clients, not only in San Pedro de Atacama, Santiago, and its surroundings, but also in other regions of Chile. One of the main challenges will be to balance the company’s growth with the preservation of the authenticity of our experiences. I plan to overcome this challenge by working closely with our team and partners, making them part of our journey while maintaining our commitment to quality and excellence.

6. What future projects does Caminandes have in mind to continue attracting the attention of both national and international tourists?

We are evaluating the possibility of expanding our tour and activity offerings in other regions of Chile, as well as developing strategic alliances with key players in the tourism industry. also exploring new ways to promote our destinations and services to reach a broader and more diverse audience. We are excited about what the future holds and are confident that we will continue to grow and amaze our customers.

7. We know you are very active within the LGBTIQA+ community and that you constantly participate as a speaker at various national and international events, such as GNETWORK360. What can you tell us about that, and how do you think your activism can influence the tourism industry?

I believe activism is an essential driver of change for society. Many people throughout my career have been surprised to see a trans person representing a company.

People often question our sanity simply for being different, and contributing transversally to the industry fills me with pride because being a host often exposes you to working with people who are very different from you. Despite our differences, I believe this is a tremendous opportunity to bring people closer together.

At the end of the day, the real magic happens when we realize that we can build teams and create major projects despite our differences.

 «Alejandra, participating as a speaker at GNETWORK360 (International Conference on LGBTQ Business and Tourism) in Buenos Aires 2024»

8. From your perspective as an activist, what do you consider to be the main challenges faced by the LGBTIQ+ community in the tourism sector, and what actions do you think should be implemented to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment?

From my perspective, the main challenges have to do with the lack of representation in the tourism sector. We need to see more diversity across all service lines. Additionally, I have noticed that when these topics are addressed, training sessions are only provided to a portion of the company. Senior management rarely participates.

People often believe that having a university degree guarantees inclusivity, but that is not the case. The major social conflicts we face are also present in our professional lives. It is not enough to simply have employees from the LGBTIQA+ community, they must also be trained.

The conversation about inclusion should not end with the LGBTIQA+ community. This is one of the most overlooked areas that could create business opportunities and social development.

I believe that we must encourage people to get to know each other in order to break down prejudices. Expecting a policy or law to solve the issue places us in a divisive situation between “good” and “bad” people, and so far, we are seeing more division than unity.

 «Alejandra, participating as a speaker at GNETWORK360 (International Conference on LGBTQ Business and Tourism) in Santiago 2024» 

Final Thoughts, Alejandra Palma’s vision for the future of Caminandes is both inspiring and ambitious. Her commitment to growing the business in San Pedro de Atacama, Santiago, and other regions of Chile, as well as attracting international tourists, promises exciting opportunities for the company and its collaborators.

Additionally, her focus on inclusion and diversity, especially regarding the LGTBIQ+ community, reflects a genuine commitment to creating a more welcoming and representative tourism industry. We are excited to see the results of her work and are confident that, under her leadership, Caminandes will reach new heights in the tourism industry!

Thank you for sharing your perspectives and dreams with us, Alejandra!