Area/Topic
Mexico, Culture, Food, Family

Alex Vizcaino
General Manager
Authentic Mexico Tours

I was born and raised in a small city in western Mexico. During my childhood, my parents took me to many different sites in Mexico, and I fell in love with the sense of discovery that can only come with travel.

I got a bachelor's degree in tourism management which included a semester in NZ, and my past experience includes trip planning, operations and management positions at Expedia, TUI, and other nation-wide and international companies.

After the life in the big corp world, I decided to launch Authentic Mexico Tours, a project born out of a passion for Mexico. The real Mexico. The authentic Mexico. I leveraged the wide network of connections and the deep experience in tourism I have, and set off to create unique experiences designed to awe travelers.

I am the proud father of two little girls, aged 8 and 2 years old, who share my wife's and my love of travel - they both took their first "long" trip in the first couple of years of their lives.

https://authenticmexicotours.com/

Summary
Alex Vizcaino, the general manager of Authentic Mexico Tours, shares his love for travel and adventure in Mexico. He grew up road tripping with his family and exploring neighboring states, which sparked his passion for travel. His uncle played a significant role in his love for adventure, taking him on trips to remote and undiscovered parts of Mexico. Alex studied tourism management and eventually started his own tour company, Authentic Mexico Tours. He emphasizes the importance of a mix of planning and serendipity in travel experiences, creating opportunities for unexpected connections and authentic moments. Alex Vizcaino launched Authentic Mexico Tours in February 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to put his plans on hold. However, he used the downtime to polish his product, build relationships with suppliers, and improve his website. When travel restrictions eased, he was able to greet his first guests in February 2021. Alex encourages parents to travel with their young children, as it creates bonding experiences and exposes them to new cultures and foods. He advises those interested in working in the travel industry to find a job with a well-known brand and to choose a niche that aligns with their passion.

Takeaways

• Road tripping with family as a child sparked Alex's love for travel and adventure
• His uncle introduced him to remote and undiscovered parts of Mexico, fostering a deep connection with his country
• Alex studied tourism management and started his own tour company, Authentic Mexico Tours
• He believes in the importance of a mix of planning and serendipity in travel experiences, creating opportunities for authentic moments The COVID-19 pandemic forced Alex Vizcaino to put his tour company, Authentic Mexico Tours, on hold, but he used the downtime to improve his product and build relationships with suppliers.
• Alex encourages parents to travel with their young children, as it creates bonding experiences and exposes them to new cultures and foods.
• For those interested in working in the travel industry, Alex advises finding a job with a well-known brand and choosing a niche that aligns with their passion.
• Alex believes that travel is a beautiful industry and encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to start their own tourism business, even if they don't have extensive experience or connections.

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