As a child growing up in Brazil, Alessandra Fernandes was greatly interested in the world outside of her country. She studied the history of different nations, read travel books, and dreamed of one day being able to explore the globe. Now, as the co-founder and CEO of Soul Rebel travel marketing, she is living that childhood dream while helping others do the same.
Soul Rebel is a marketing agency that specializes in the travel industry. In addition to organizing events that speak to the travel profession, hot destinations, and new products, Soul Rebel’s goal is to innovate the promotion of the industry. They are working on a new platform designed to help connect travel professionals, where they can learn more about new destinations and also how to improve their sales using social media and improving their ability to market their travel products through online platforms.
“When I started to participate in travel shows around the world, I realized the importance of marketing and how many destinations were mistakenly promoted, without a strategy and ignoring the particularities of each market that they targeted, as they used the same campaigns for different audiences. I realized how much room there was for innovation,” said Fernandes.
Fernandes founded Soul Rebel in Brazil last year, and they are currently in the process of expanding in the United States to tap into the demand that exists in the American market. She had a vision of wanting to change the travel industry with specific campaigns for the target audience and being able to work only with products and destinations that have a sustainable development, where natural resources and local culture are preserved, where the community benefits from better structure and job opportunities.
“I love being able to make a difference by running campaigns that bring results not only for my clients but that have a positive impact on the world, through more conscious travel, helping local communities, and creating unforgettable memories for travelers,” said Fernandes.
Fernandes has been working in the travel industry for the entirety of her career. She was part of the team that participated in the Responsible Tourism Award process, where the destination Bonito in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil, won the Best Destination award in 2013. A career highlight for her was attending the award ceremony in London and seeing that her work had achieved such an esteemed level and recognition and how this brought the destination a highlight spot on the travel industry map.
On top of this, Fernandes was the chair of the local committee for the ESTC 14 – Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference, which took place in Brazil in April 2014 and brought together 500 participants from all over the world, with keynote speakers.
Undoubtedly, Fernandes has the experience and dedication to make Soul Rebel a global success, as it is already a leader in the industry in Brazil even after just a year. With her plans on creating that online platform to support professionals in the travel industry, it will be possible to expand their network and receive training frequently, especially for online sales, which is pivotal in the changed travel world due to COVID-19. She is always looking to adapt, innovate, and revolutionize her industry, and encourages all those looking to follow in her footsteps to do the same.
“The travel industry has several areas, such as accommodation, transport, tour packages, events and promotion of destinations and products, I advise you to try to know a little of each area and if possible to work in them too, because only then you will know what area you want to work on, and this will give you a broader view, regardless of the area you choose, as one completes the other,” she advised.
For more information about Fernandes’ innovative company Soul Rebel Travel Marketing, check out their website.