For those in the know, Brunilda DeJesus is synonymous with Spain and Portugal tourism. After numerous years specializing in these two countries at Central Holidays, she recently set off as an entrepreneur to launch her own company dedicated to sales and representation for Spanish and Portuguese businesses.
Mainly Spain is a representation and marketing company dedicated to helping an elite group of small and medium-sized Spanish and Portuguese companies (hotels, local operators and other small businesses) reach the U.S. travel market.
"A few hotels and DMCs asked if I would represent them a few months ago,” DeJesus told
Travel Agent in an exclusive interview. “I toyed around with it and put on back burner. Then I decided to take the plunge.” She is still building her client list, which has to remain confidential until early February.
In her new role, DeJesus will be working directly with agents to let them know what’s new, available, reliable, and how they can get access to all the information they need. “They won’t have to count on going through a website,” she says. “If they want to get in touch
Paradores, for example, instead of just sending an info-request email, I can put them in touch of whoever’s in charge of the U.S. market. They speak to people who speak English, who know the market and can take care of their clients’ needs.”
While these types of companies have existed for Italy and France, DeJesus believes that Mainly Spain may be the first business of its kind for Spain. Right now, the company’s website is operational, and by the end of this week, Facebook and Twitter accounts will be live, and a blog will be up & running. “In January, I sign the remaining contracts. February is the ‘go’ time.”
Any entrepreneur will acknowledge feeling plenty of butterflies when setting off to start a business, and DeJesus is no exception. “I’m excited because I know how frustrating it is to get reliable information,” she says. “Not a lot of people who know the market in Spain and Portugal can look at it from a US traveler standpoint without a vested interest. I want agents to feel comfortable with me.”
