Online voting for the LATA Committee Elections 2025 will be open between the 17th and 24th March. Each member organisation of LATA will have the opportunity to select up to nine candidates from the list of nominees, to fill the committee vacancies.
The candidates are:
Jarrod Kyte – Steppes Travel
With the experience I have gained as Product and Impact Director at Steppes Travel, I can offer a global perspective on the challenges faced by LATA members, sharing best practises I have picked up from suppliers all over the world.
I previously managed a tented camp in Kenya for a couple of years, so I understand both the perspective of tour operator and accommodation provider. I am particularly keen to help LATA members adopt sustainable best practise, not only because it is the right thing to do but because it can also be a significant value driver for your business.
With the role I have played in developing Steppes Travel’s Positive Impact Travel strategy, combined with the external learning I have done in this field, I believe I am very well placed to help LATA build on the excellent work already done by Megan. I am a good listener and enjoy collaborating with colleagues so I hope I can continue to apply these qualities to the LATA committee.
Martin Johnson – Latin Routes/Polar Routes
It has been a true honour and privilege to serve on the LATA committee for the past eight years, with the last 18 months spent as Chair. I can honestly say it has been an incredible experience—one that I hope to continue if re-elected by you, the membership.
Since assuming the role of Chair, I have focused on guiding LATA into its next phase of development. This has involved implementing several positive changes aimed at delivering more value to our members. Alongside the LATA team and committee, I spearheaded the redesign of LATA Expo last year. We refreshed the format to bring everyone together in both formal business and social settings, creating improved opportunities for networking, learning, and collaboration. The feedback from our first Expo was overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to incorporating your suggestions for further improvement at the 2025 event.
Of course, LATA is much more than just the Expo. As Chair, I’ve worked to ensure LATA delivers value year-round, not just during our headline event. I’ve been actively involved in refreshing all our events to ensure they meet members’ needs. For example, last November’s WTM party took place in a brand-new venue with a fresh format. We’ve also held new media events and workshops with Sanderson Phillips on practical areas like risk, operations, and crisis management. Additionally, this year we’ve hosted more virtual webinars than ever before, covering a wider range of topics, and I hope you’ve found these initiatives valuable for your businesses. We’re also in the process of overhauling the LATA website to bring it into the 21st century. This new platform will serve as a hub to showcase everything we do, as well as highlight the work of our members.
Together with Danny, I’ve overseen the development of the LATA Team to ensure we have the resources necessary to support our members. I’m proud to say that the team now consists of five fantastic members. Katie joined last year as PR & Comms Manager, and I hope you agree that she’s already made significant improvements to how we communicate with members. Mitch has recently joined to focus on Business and Membership development, helping to grow our association steadily while providing personal support to members.
These new team recruits have also enabled Megan to further elevate LATA’s commitment to sustainable travel. Through her ongoing collaboration with the Long Run and a series of informative webinars, LATA has made great strides in promoting sustainability, which will only continue to strengthen.
I’ve also been thrilled to bring LATA and the LATA Foundation closer together. One of our key achievements has been securing Rachel as the Foundation’s first Fundraising Manager. The potential for the Foundation is enormous, and I’m excited to see how it will develop in the year ahead.
For the past 13 years (where has the time gone?), I’ve been the co-founder and director of Latin Routes, specialists in tailor-made holidays to Latin America. From our humble beginnings in a small office above a pizza shop, we’ve grown into one of the UK’s leading tour operators to the region. My current role focuses on the overall development and marketing of the company, while also keeping a close eye on day-to-day operations. This experience has given me a deep understanding of the market and perspectives from operators, travel agents, and suppliers, which I bring to my work on the committee to ensure all members are well-represented.
Simon Heyes – Senderos
Querido LATA membership,
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of the LATA committee contributing in a small but heartfelt way to this association that I love.
I’ve worked in one form or another in Latin American tourism for 3 decades; first as an inexperienced guide in Venezuela and Chile, afterwards for a UK specialist tour operator, & in 2004 began Senderos to tell the stories of wildlife lodges, conservation projects, small sustainable hotels, estancias and expedition vessels. Senderos gained B Corp certification in early 2024, are members of The Long Run, founding members of The Conscious Travel Foundation. We passionately believe in tourism’s commercial value to conservation and culture and LATA’s unique supporting role between the UK and Latin America. Making connections and working together – radical collaboration – is vital now more than ever.
If you decide to give me your vote again I’d be proud to continue representing the membership on the LATA committee.
Maria Eugenia (Maru) de Aliaga – Tropic Travel
Tourism is more than a business for me—it’s a powerful tool for sharing and protecting the rich heritage and culture of Latin America. I am driven to continue being part of the LATA Committee to contribute to the development and promotion of travel in our region, leveraging my experience and passion for sustainable tourism.
As a Peruvian with a BA in History, a Master’s in Tourism Business Management, and postgraduate studies in Cultural Tourism and Ecotourism, my journey has always been about exploring, preserving, and sharing the unique stories of my region. Over the past 20+ years, I have worked across the private, nonprofit, and academic sectors, gaining expertise in ground operations, experience development, marketing, and commercial strategy. This diverse background has allowed me to deeply understand the opportunities and challenges that shape tourism in our countries.
(If you’d like to learn more about my experience, feel free to check out my LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaeugeniadealiaga/)
Today, I am proud to represent Tropic Travel, a boutique DMC operating since 1994 in Ecuador, Peru, and Chile.
If elected, I look forward to bringing my experience and Latino perspective to the LATA Committee, working collaboratively to strengthen Latin America’s presence in UK Travel Industry.
I would be honoured to continue representing and contributing to this amazing community.
Fernando Amer – Visit Buenos Aires
Director for tourism promotion and communication at Visit Buenos Aires, Fernando Amer, joined the organization this year, having worked for over 25 years with International meetings, incentive and leisure travel planners.
Former general manager for two of Argentina’s leading luxury DMCs, his first-hand knowledge of his hometown city and diverse country brings to Visit Buenos Aires a broad wealth of experience promoting his city in the international travel markets.
Amberley Shermon-Jones – Journey Mexico/Costa Rica/Brazil
Passionate about Latin America, committed to responsible tourism, and a firm believer in travel’s power to drive meaningful impact—I’m thrilled to stand for election to the LATA Committee.
As Business Development Director for Journey Mexico | Costa Rica | Brazil and in my previous roles, I’ve spent my career shaping and elevating meaningful travel experiences across Latin America. From forging high-value partnerships in the USA, UK, and Europe to expanding our reach into Australia and Asia, my work centers on fostering deep connections between discerning travelers and this extraordinary region.
Beyond sales and strategy, I’m an advocate for travel as a force for good. I believe that when done responsibly, tourism is a catalyst for economic opportunity, environmental protection, and cultural preservation. With LATA’s mission to promote Latin America on the global stage, I see a powerful opportunity to further these ideals, ensuring growth that benefits both travelers and the destinations we cherish.
I also bring experience in contract negotiations, financial oversight, and strategic budgeting—key skills I hope to contribute to LATA’s legal and financial activities. My goal is to help strengthen the association’s foundation while keeping our focus on innovation, collaboration, and positive-impact travel.
I’d be honored to serve and look forward to the opportunity to help shape the future of Latin American travel alongside the esteemed members of LATA.
Lyn Hughes – Wanderlust Travel Media
In 1992 Lyn and her late husband visited Latin America for the first time. It was a trip that would change their lives as they were inspired to scheme out their ideal travel magazine when on the flight there, and on their return to the UK they launched Wanderlust magazine from their spare bedroom. Wanderlust is the UK’s best-selling travel magazine and, since being under new ownership since 2021, has increased its distribution globally. Lyn is still hands-on with the business as Founding Editor.
Lyn joined LATA in 2005 and has had the honour of serving on the committee since, most recently as the Honorary Secretary. She is also a trustee of the LATA Foundation. While her own travels take her around the world, Latin America continues to hold a special place in Lyn’s heart, and she visits at least once a year. She would love to continue to serve LATA and its members through the committee as she believes she brings 32 years of industry experience, along with a unique perspective as an editor and media influencer with both UK and global insights into consumer travel trends, media trends, and sustainable, adventure and experiential travel.
Lyn is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, regularly contributes to industry roundtables, and is in demand as an expert speaker, moderator and host. She has won multiple awards for her travel writing and has received several Outstanding Contribution Awards. Lyn strongly believes in tourism as a force for good, benefiting local communities, wildlife and the natural world.
Kirsty Williams – Humboldt Travel
I am delighted to be standing for election to the LATA Committee, an organisation that does such great work promoting Latin American travel and the importance of this wonderful part of the world.
As co-owner of Humboldt Travel, I have been working in Latin American travel for nearly 15 years. A linguist at heart, my real joy is connecting with people and communities all over the world. As the owner of a small independent tour operator, I have gained experience in all areas from sales and marketing to product development. Over the years I have worked hard to develop partnerships all over Latin America with DMCs and hotels, ensuring that all parties are properly represented and work in synergy. I really enjoyed the recent sustainability training offered by LATA in partnership with The Long Run and I think this is a vital part of the future of travel.
My real passions are the belief that travel, done properly, is a powerful force for good and the importance of family travel. As a mother of two young children and the owner of a company that works with a lot of families, I think that it is vital we travel with young children whenever possible. Latin America is the keeper of so much of great importance in our world both environmentally and culturally and as travel professionals, we have a vital role to play in getting that message across in a responsible and conscious manner. Our children are the future generation who need to be inspired to carry this on, growing into global citizens who are empowered to continue this work.
I would be honoured to serve on the LATA Committee, continuing to build on the great work that LATA is doing for sustainability and Latin American travel with this exciting community.
Quinn Meyer – Crees Manu
I’m passionate about Latin America and deeply committed to promoting sustainable travel that protects the environment and supports local communities. Over the past decade, I’ve dedicated my career to conservation and community empowerment through my work with CREES and been the Treasurer of LATA over 8 years, successfully seeing it through COVID and building back towards a more sustainable future. In my own company we worked hard to create impactful initiatives in the Peruvian Amazon, supporting biodiversity research, environmental education, and sustainable livelihoods and along the way, CREES has been honored with multiple awards for our commitment to responsible tourism and conservation, even winning the LATAM & Global – Nature Positive award from the Responsible Travel Awards which we collected at LATA EXPO. If re-elected to the LATA committee, I’ll continue to champion sustainable travel that drives positive change for Latin America, its people, and its ecosystems as well as continue to play an active stewardship role in the financial future of LATA. I would be grateful for your support and look forward to en excellent next few years.
Daniel Santin – Inspiring Destination
I am excited to put my name forward for the LATA Committee election, bringing my passion for Latin American travel, sustainable tourism, and industry collaboration to the association. With extensive experience working alongside luxury DMCs, tour operators, and travel advisors, I understand the challenges and opportunities in promoting authentic, high-end travel experiences across the region.
As the founder of Inspiring Destination, a platform dedicated to elevating local travel experts and fostering collaboration among Latin America’s top DMCs, I work closely with leading operators and agencies worldwide to strengthen Latin America’s presence in luxury travel. Additionally, through my role with Onesixth Expeditions, a B Corp-certified DMC in Argentina, I have firsthand experience in developing innovative, sustainable travel experiences, including the first Puma habituation program in Argentina.
As a Committee Member, I would contribute by strengthening industry partnerships, amplifying Latin America’s unique offerings, and supporting LATA’s efforts in sustainability and responsible tourism. I am eager to engage with fellow members, share market insights, and help shape initiatives that drive meaningful connections and business growth.
I would greatly appreciate your support and the opportunity to contribute to LATA’s mission.
Mariano Galindo – Argentina On The Go