SmartFlyer is expanding into Latin America, making it the second international region in which the New York-based agency will have a significant presence.
ALTE Travel Group, based in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Mexico, will act as SmartFlyer Latin America's operational backbone.
The new endeavor will be led by a group of founding travel advisor partners: ALTE's Andrea Lomeli, Eduardo Santoy, Magda Fernandez and Gaby Galvez as well as Juan Carlos Coppel, Lorenia Bay, Carlos Alvarez and Ana Laura Melhem.
Erina Pindar, managing partner and COO of SmartFlyer, said the agency has had its eyes on Latin America, and Mexico specifically, for several years. It's a thriving market with room to grow, she said.
"Australia has been so successful for us that we wanted to do what we've done there closer to home," Pindar said.
SmartFlyer has had a presence in Australia for more than 10 years. It started in 2015 as a joint venture with Goldman Travel Corporation, known as SmartFlyer Australia.
While SmartFlyer does have advisors in Europe, they are tied to the agency's U.S. operations.
The importance of a local partner
Talks for the Latin American expansion began last summer, Pindar said. The most important factor was a cultural fit.
"This is a really important partnership for us, so we want to make sure that this is something that fits culturally as well as that we all have the same way of working and work philosophy," she said.
In a statement, Lomeli outlined that philosophy: "the belief that travel is deeply personal, rooted in relationships, trust and long-term perspective."
Like with Goldman in Australia, having a local partner in ALTE is an important piece for the expansion, according to Pindar. That helps with both legalities and cultural nuances.
"We really take our time with partnerships because we don't like to take anything lightly," she said. "It's incredibly important to us that the partnership is the right one."
Pindar expects SmartFlyer's U.S.-based advisors will see benefits, as well, from collaborating with peers across borders and sharing ideas and information.