EMBA WORLDWIDE
EMBA WORLDWIDE
EMBA WORLDWIDE
EMBA WORLDWIDE
EMBA WORLDWIDE
EMBA WORLDWIDE
EMBA WORLDWIDE
EMBA WORLDWIDE
EMBA WORLDWIDE
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Our Global Vision
Destination Partners is a travel management company dedicated to helping universities, non-profits and corporations source, plan, manage & execute enriching travel programs and experiences, all over the world, from groups of ten to hundreds.
Our Approach is to apply high-touch management & innovative programming to ensure successful programs that will connect people from around the world, making us all better global citizens.
Account Team Destination Partners has a dedicated team of seasoned travel management professionals to attend to the unique needs of the many different types of group travel clients.
Adam Carter
President / Founder
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Adam is a native New Yorker and a proud NYU alum. Prior to his career in travel, Adam studied abroad in Europe and Latin America, and received his MBA from Stern in International Marketing in 1980 (spending a semester in Rio de Janeiro at UFRJ/ COPPEAD). Afterwards he spent several years in New York on Madison Avenue in the advertising industry, honing his skills in product development and management.
Looking to combine his love of travel and marketing, he left advertising and in 1984 opened Brazil Nuts Tours, a company dedicated to creating innovative special interest tours. Under his direction, Brazil Nuts Tours became recognized as a leader in such key travel segments as Ecotourism, cultural tours and corporate meetings and incentives. In 2007 Adam was elected Chairman of the Brazil Tour Operators Association. To meet the demand for quality short-term group travel programs among institutional clients in the educational, NGO and corporate sector, Adam and his wife opened the Destination Partners division in 2001 and have grown the business with an emphasis on strong client service, destination expertise and creative programming and solutions.
acarter@destinationpartners.net
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Maria Luisa M. Carter
Director - Event Planner
CHO Chief Happiness Officer
With a professional background in the arts, health and education, Luisa received her Masters in Education from Southern Connecticut University. Her varied professional experience, multi-cultural background (born in Brazil, studied in Europe), and her ability to connect with people from all over the world make her a key part of Destination Partners success. As a Given her rich background, Maria Luisa has special interest and expertise in programs relating to the African Diaspora, education, and community service, thereby adding a unique dimension to our offerings. So much so that in 2009 Luisa opened a non-profit organization, Bee Gaia, dedicated to promoting global citizenship through programs of art, education, travel and well-being. Bee Gaia has adopted four projects that it supports and integrates into faculty led programs when appropriate: an orphanage in Haiti, a school for the developmentally challenged in Bhutan, and two villages, one in the Brazilian Amazon and one in Ghana.
Awarded as ” Queen Mother of Torgorme Village” Ghana Africa- 2012 view link
2015 Excellence in Diversity Awards Hodges University view link
2016 SWF Face Awards view link
2020 Lady Liberty Leader Woman March to Win Award view link
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lcarter@destinationpartners.net
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Sarah Navarro
Commercial Manager
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Sarah is a travel expert with a passion for culture and exploration. After spending a semester abroad in France during college and traveling around Europe as well as China, Sarah decided to couple her love for other cultures with a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development focusing on Comparative and International Development Education.
With 16 years of experience in the travel and hospitality industry, she has established herself as a trusted and knowledgeable professional. She is dedicated to designing and supporting international/intercultural exchanges and learning abroad programs, striving to create meaningful experiences. She understands that every traveler is unique, and her ability to listen, understand preferences, and offer tailored recommendations sets her apart. Throughout her career Sarah has demonstrated a strong commitment to helping others gain innovative cultural learning experience. Since working at DP she has expanded her own travel experiences by visiting countries on 5 continents and hopes to add Australia to her personal knowledge base soon!
snavarro@destinationpartners.net
Luciana Belfort
Senior Account Executive
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Luca Belfort is a seasoned account executive, joining Destination Partners with 25 years in the travel industry working with a variety of clients from the private, public, and non-profit sector including The Wall Street Journal FGV University and the United Nations.
At Destination Partners she has being working with Graduate and Undergraduate Students, MBA programs, Faculty-Led travel courses, International Seminars acting as key client liaison and doing operations worldwide.
She is experienced in developing tailor-made, special interest group travel as well as managing large events, conferences, meetings, and corporate incentives. Luca holds a degree in Business Administration from Candido Mendes University and enjoys travelling extensively throughout Europe and South America.
Luciana D' Andrade
Operational Manager
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Luciana has a 20-year career in the travel industry, including work with well-established DMCs in Rio de Janeiro. With a rich background in Incentive Programs and luxury travel, Luciana has gained valuable experience in curating experiences where authenticity, exclusivity, and comfort take center stage.
At Destination Partners, she manages accounts such as Ohio State, Fordham University, Stanford, UW Madison, various divisions at NYU, among other seasonal clients. Luciana efficiently handles the global flight arrangements for participants in different fellowship programs. Among the destinations she has operated include the French Alps, Thailand, Croatia, Montenegro, Colombia, Patagonia, various European cities, Iceland, Hawaii, and Canada, to name a few.
Based in the enchanting city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, known for its vivacious culture and passionate people, she is constantly inspired by the vibrant mosaic of life that surrounds her. In addition to her professional endeavors, her personal travel experiences have taken her to destinations like Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rome, California, Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza, and paradisiacal places such as Fernando de Noronha Island. She has also embarked on a comprehensive exploration of Brazil's East Coast, the lush Pantanal region, and visited historic coffee plantations, rich in details from the time of slavery.
Her love for adventure is deeply intertwined with her Italian heritage, driving her fascination with diverse cultures and enhancing her approach to travel. She is committed not only to delivering top-notch, customer-focused travel solutions but also to fostering connections that transcend cultural boundaries, resulting in unforgettable travel experiences.
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Lia Alpes
Account Executive
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Lia Alpis has a great passion for travel, people and different cultures. With more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry, on tour & travel, corporate incentive, conference organization, teambuilding, event, and special interest group travel.
Committed on developing tailor-made itineraries with creativity, flexibility, dedication according to client´s needs and, providing unforgettable travel experiences and satisfaction.
Lia holds a degree in Bachelor in Tourism from Veiga de Almeida University.
During vacation she loves to explore the world, see new places, interact with people, and have unforgettable experiences.
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Rosangela Forter
Project Manager
Graduated in Advertising from Universidade Gama Filho and in Administration from Universidade Estácio de Sá.
She always liked and traveled a lot, I was invited to work with a friend, as a travel agent. In recent years, I have been able to learn more about the commercialization of national and international tourism.
I assisted numerous customers, sold tickets and tour packages, contracted transport companies, scheduled visits, issued airline tickets, informed customers about aircraft routes, scales, schedules and rates.
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She is the project manager to World Happiness Summit WOHASU.
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Pericles DeSouza (Peri)
European Field Coordinator
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Pericles has worked in tourism most of his adult life, combining his passion for travel with his love of people. His role at Destination Partners is to support our large group operations throughout Europe and Africa. His organizational skills and attention to detail have ensured the success of numerous high profile/ large volume group movements.
His academic and technical background is impressive, including A degree in Translation & Interpreting in English/Portuguese at Kensington & Chelsea College in London, an MA in Applied Linguistics from UFSC (Federal University of Santa Catarina) as well as other international certificates in tourism management. He is an accredited Tour Guide by EMBRATUR (South America) and ETOA (Europe). Prior to his work with Destination Partners he has worked as a freelance travel manager and guide for major tour operators both in South America and Europe
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Karine Annechino
Account Executive
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Karine has always striven after the boldest challenges and that’s what keeps her motivated in these almost 20 years in Tourism.
She holds a degree in Bachelor in Tourism and started her career working in international hotel chains when she felt her passion to connect with other cultures. Karine is fond of ecotourism, diving and outdoor activities that always involve the “unusual” and her experiences can be detailed in her tailormade itineraries, where she always puts enthusiasm and passion to bring the innovation to each program.
Her experience in as Account Executive over the years in MICE tourism and tour and travel specialist can be noted in her recent experiences in Destination Partners such as Tanzania, France, Greece, Ireland, Colombia and her specialties: Brazil and Asia.
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