Interview with Zachary Rabinor: Mexico Travel Expert

ATLAS is an association of tourism companies of Latin America which offer a variety of experiential tours and adventure tours. Zachary Rabinor, from Journey Mexico, shares his personal journey and vision on tourism.

Tell me a little about yourself and why you decided to go into tourism…

Through my travels throughout Latin America first as a backpacker / surfer / mountaineer and then as a tour leader, I was transformed by my travel to remote places and unique cultures.  I want to share the transformative powers of travel with the world

What is your role in the company?

CEO. Oversee all aspects of operation with focus on Business development, marketing, quality control, and product development.

How long have you been working in the industry?

20+ years.  More if you consider my backpacking days were training!

How many people work in the company and how many guides?

30 Full time staff in 3 offices (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, Cancun) and over 50 guides throughout the country.

What are the requirements a guide local guide must meet to work in your companies?

Be fully certified by the Mexican government.  Logistics expert, customer service blackbelt, problem solver gold medalist, and overall, share our passion for authentic, unique, and transformative travel experiences offering the very highest levels of service, honesty, integrity, and positive thinking.

What type of training do they have?

Annual professional development tests administered by Mexican Government and supplemented by JM customer service training twice a year.

What are the main destinations of the tours you offer?

Copper Canyon, Baja Sur, Colonial Mexico (San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Morelia, Puebla, Cuernavaca, Taxco), Oaxaca, Chiapas, Yuactan Peninsula, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, P. Mita, Riviera Maya.

What is the most popular tour you offer? What makes it popular?

The classic route of Mexico City – Oaxaca – Chiapas- Yucatan – Riviera Maya.  Combines incredible and diverse pre-colombian cultures (Aztec, Toltec, Teotihuacani, MIxtec, Zapotec, Maya), Nature, cuisine, wildlife, and unparalleled beach at end.

What are your travelers from and what are their interests?

N. Ameirca, UK, Continental Europe, Russia, Australia, Brazil, Mexico.  Varied interests but all converging on Nature, Culture, Adventure, and Luxury.

What do you offer your travelers that other companies don’t? What differentiates your company from the rest?

Creative itineraries especially those offering active travel which we operate directly including: trekking, surfing, stand up paddle boarding, Sea Kayaking, wildlife, culture, archaeology and more.  Main differentiation is Expertise, owner operated, experience, and SERVICE!

Tell me about your travelers and how they experience your tours. What do they enjoy the most? What are the little things that make the difference between a great trip and an unforgettable one?

Getting under the skin of local culture including market visits, local food, local communities.  We make our guests feel like their traveling with friends and getting insider access to people, places, experiences.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

Sharing the wonders of Mexico!

What are your next endeavors? (plans, objectives, goals, etc)

To further develop the philanthropic side of the business giving back to local communities and working with them to conserve the natural environment and cultural integrity.