People who work in the travel industry are especially affected by the coronavirus pandemic. They’re also some of the most knowledgeable about what travel will be like in the coming months, since they have their fingers on the pulse of the latest trends. One of those experts is Gustavo Rivas-Solis, general director of ENroute Communications, a New York-based public relations agency that focuses on travel destinations.
I’ve known Gustavo for years, and he’s helped me out many times with information, interviews and press trips as I’ve been working on stories for a variety of media outlets. I love that Gustavo uses the Hollywood-style term “travel publicist” to describe himself, as he confidently declares that all of his clients are “top-notch stars.” He’s worked on campaigns for a variety of tourism organizations representing diverse destinations including Mexico, Quito, Morocco, Zambia, Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende, Patagonia Camp, Guatemala and Madhia Pradesh, to name a few.
In this exclusive Q&A, Gustavo shares some of his favorite travel tips, and insider advice about where to go next.
When was the last time you traveled?
My last trip was in February on the Viva Tequila Festival Tequila Tour, which took us across the Low and High lands of the Agave-growing region of the state of Jalisco. We went tequila tasting and tried 29 brands of the spirit. I loved it because it was an extreme VIP experience and who doesn’t love that! VIP dinners at the Cuervo Hacienda, VIP access to small distilleries, small-batch tequila tastings between cities, and sleeping in the hacienda landlord’s bed!
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My personal favorite part was the morning horseback riding around the hacienda. I had just finished watching Netflix’s Monarca before the trip and the show was filmed in one of the haciendas we stayed in; I lived out my landlord fantasy.
What do you miss the most about not being able to travel now?
I so miss the people; the human contact. Interacting with the journalists, many of which have become close friends because of the transformative experiences we can have on press trips. While we work from home, we have been doing small chats with writers who have traveled with us and everyone talks about specific experiences. The way-too-exotic tacos we ate, the moment a writer took charge of the raft before doom or partying until we had to catch our flights home during Pride. I thought I was the only one that was missing those moments and it feels nice to know we have all impacted each other’s life.
You work with some amazing clients. How are they responding to the pandemic, and how are they preparing to welcome travelers again?
We are so proud of our clients. Everyone is eager to get back to normal and sometimes rushing to open, but all our clients have said that health and safety come first. Buenaventura hotels in Puerto Vallarta has maintained most of their staff during the quarantine, supporting their extended family with the sales of future stays in the property with the corporation matching the amount of the certificate purchased. San Miguel de Allende closed access to the city in early March and has been clear that they will not open to tourism until they feel it is safe, the State of Yucatan has been working on numerous plans to protect the indigenous populations of the state as part of their sustainable tourism efforts and Patagonia Camp in Chile closed for the season and is eagerly waiting to open in September.
Will we be able to get good travel deals in the coming months, or will it be harder since there will be less availability?
There seems to be some noise coming up on great hotel and airlines deals, but this all remains to be seen as the phases of reopening continue. What we are seeing though is great added values. Suites Santo Domingo in San Miguel de Allende will be offering a concierge service with access to private activities with the city’s top chefs, artisans, galleries, etc.
Viva Tequila Festival’s Mexico Experience brings in all types of tequila experts to the tour, including top level executives from Mundo Cuervo, the Tequila Certification Board and others to make the experience an educational one for those really interested in learning about the Mexican Spirit.
In a time of social distance and when people will be looking for the most value to their trips, these are great options.
You also work with the LGBTQ market segment. Will LGBTQ people be more likely to travel again sooner compared to the average traveler?
YES! When we started ENroute Communications, my partner and I wanted to ensure LGBTQ representation as part of our business. All of our clients have some sort of LGBTQ marketing plan and we refuse to work with destinations or hotels that do not have one.
The LGBTQ market has always been kind to Mexico, and I have no doubt history will repeat itself and LGBTQ travelers will be the first to fill up the hotels, restaurants, and clubs just like they did after N1H1. The country itself is so much better suited too, with the LGBTQ communities in Merida and San Miguel de Allende growing and providing inclusive offerings for visitors, sometimes at similar levels of Puerto Vallarta or Mexico City.
Do you have any trips scheduled now?
No trips confirmed right now but I know that work-wise, trips will be on a weekly basis as soon as it is possible. All our clients are eager to start press trips.
Aside from work trips, what destinations are on your personal wish list for a vacation?
I love La Romana in the Dominican Republic. My husband and I try to get there any opportunity we have. That will most likely be our first trip as we need a beach.
I took a trip to Bogota, Colombia last year and realized I need to visit South America way more often! I had visited Ecuador and Chile, loved them, so the experience in Colombia really reaffirms this.
My husband is very interested in Asia, Thailand being on top of the list but I fear such a long flight will have to wait, however, the situation that we are in now has made us realize that we have to book those aspirational trips.
I also want to go home to Guatemala to spend time with my mom and sisters ASAP.
What will you bring on your next trip that you didn’t used to carry pre-pandemic?
I normally have a first aid kit and some antibacterial liquids with me, but I have now increased my press trip bag to include body wipes, gloves and masks (some of our clients have even produced branded masks as part of the welcome bag). Marry Poppin’s bag has nothing on mine.