INTERVIEW WITH AN EXPERT: Introducing Maria Kozachuk, Destination Specialist
Many of Goway’s Central & South America destination specialists have lived in either Central or South America. In fact, many were born there. In addition, everyone has travelled extensively in the region and continues to do so. This experience, along with Goway’s in-depth, ongoing training program, makes them the leading experts in tailoring travel experiences to suit your individual client’s needs.
Goway offers over 600 unforgettable journeys to every country in the region—from Mexico to the bottom tip of Argentina—plus an endless choice of tailor-made travel ideas based on your client’s budget, availability, time, and most importantly, imagination. No one else offers the depth of knowledge for Central & South America that Goway and its team of destination specialists do!
Maestro, from the Italian, means “master,” “teacher,” or “specialist,” and Goway is full of them! To help you get to know the personality and expertise of our destination specialists, we’re introducing each member of our team. Today, get to know Maria Kozachuk!
Where were you born?
Chernivtsi, Ukraine
Where in Latin America have you traveled?
Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina
How long have you worked at Goway?
4 years
Favorite Latin Destination?
Cusco, Peru
Why there?
I think of this city as the Rome of South America. It’s the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, there are ruins at every step, maybe not as grandiose as Rome, but historically the city drips with a rich past. Delicious foods at numerous restaurants abound and you can find yourself wandering for hours and still discovering new and interesting things about Cusco.
Most frequently requested destination by your clients?
Machu Picchu, Peru. This represents almost 80% of all our enquiries to Peru, and so is a natural focal point for us at Goway and in turn, all our Globetrotters.
Favorite Latin Food?
Ecuadorian fried cheese empanada with coffee for breakfast, Peruvian trout ceviche for lunch, Argentine steak for dinner… okay, it might be hard to have all of those three in the same day, but truly, the list can go on forever. I believe food is one of the best ways to explore local culture and traditions and on any trip to Central or South America, lack of interesting food will not be an issue!
What are your tips for selling Central or South America, the Polar Regions, or any particular country?
My best advice to successful selling of any destination in Central or South America – or any of Goway’s destinations – is to ask your client as many questions as possible. This allows you to meet their expectations, yet also remind them that being flexible will most likely guarantee a better experience.
For instance, if clients would like to visit famous Galapagos Islands but have a modest budget, this does not mean necessarily abandoning the idea of a small-ship cruise. They will just need to be flexible with dates so that our experts can find a special promotion or 2×1 deal, allowing the guests to live that dream of visiting the Galapagos in comfort on a small vessel.
An open mind will open a world of possibilities.
