Forty-five years ago our founder, Carlos Fida, left Buenos Aires to explore the natural wonders of Patagonia. In the decades that followed, he journeyed to remote outposts and cosmopolitan cities across Latin America, cultivating a deep admiration for the diverse cultures rooted there.
Now, PanAmerican Travel Services invites you to embark on your own extraordinary adventure. Each journey we plan is special, and begins with an understanding of your unique interests. Whatever your wish, our knowledgeable travel counselors will help you design a trip that reflects your distinctive style.
PanAmerican’s counselors are distinguished by years of experience, fluency in the language and first-hand familiarity with our destinations. They pride themselves on being trusted advisors to their clients. PanAmerican is recommended by Fodor's, Frommer's, Luxury Travel Advisor, Travel + Leisure, various tourism boards and countless satisfied clients.
Carlos Fida, President & Co-founder Carlos was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At age 18 he joined the Argentine Navy and was posted in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Later, he studied in England and earned a degree in Latin American history. In the years that followed, he held teaching positions with the University of Patagonia and an Argentine military academy, where he led study-abroad groups for nearly a decade.
In 1979 he immigrated to the United States, where he began an association with one of the country’s top ten travel agencies. In 1985 he created the agency’s Latin American division, acting as its director until 1996. That year he founded PanAmerican Travel Services, where he now serves as president.
Carlos became a Certified Travel Counselor in 1984. He has traveled extensively within every country in Central and South America. He has also journeyed throughout Antarctica, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. He loves to read and is an accomplished landscape painter. He and his family now reside in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Travel + Leisure Magazine's A-List ranks Carlos as one of the top travel agents in the U.S. Carlos has been ranked as Travel + Leisure's recommended Super Agent for Argentina, Peru, and Galapagos (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009). You can e-mail Carlos at cfida@wfintl.com.
Douglas Wren, Vice President & Co-founder Doug is the co-founder of PanAmerican Travel Services. A featured speaker at travel conventions and airline board meetings, he has also co-hosted several travel shows, broadcasting live to the United States from Machu Picchu, Chile's Atacama Desert and Iguazu Falls.
Doug lived in Brazil in his twenties, and developed a strong bond with Salvador and the Northeast. He returns to Brazil several times each year. He's traveled throughout Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Doug is recognized by Travel + Leisure's A List as the premier agent for South America (Super Agent 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009). Doug also heads PanAmerican's Groups + Incentives division. You can e-mail Doug at dwren@wfintl.com.
ASTA recognizes Doug as one of the top travel agents for travel to Latin America.
Brett Steele, Vice President of Operations
Brett re-joined the PanAmerican family as the Managing Director in 2006 after working with the company from 1997 until 2002, when he departed for graduate school.
Brett has traveled extensively in South and Central America and hopes to continue that trend.He spent two years of his life in Northeastern Brazil on a service-mission and spent a month living in Costa Rica as part of his undergraduate education.He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from the University of Utah and a Juris Doctorate degree from The Gonzaga University School of Law.In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, exercising, golfing in the summer, and skiing in the winter. He can be reached at bsteele@wfintl.com.
Allison King Allison's love for travel and culture has grown through study abroad in Europe, travel throughout North America, Brazil, and Argentina, where she lived for a year and a half. It was during her time in Argentina that Allison discovered her passion for South America and the rich culture there.
Allison says that, "the things we learn through travel cannot be learned in any other way. There is no substitute to seeing and experiencing the world for yourself."
Allison now helps other people have incredible travel experiences in Central and South America as she continues to explore our world. E-mail her at aking@wfintl.com more information.
Carol Alegre Carol Alegre discovered her love of travel while touring Asia, Europe and Latin America with her university’s performing arts troupe. Originally from Cochabamba, Bolivia, Carol later earned a BA in Travel & Tourism and a master’s degree in Recreation Management and Youth Leadership.
Carol began selling travel in the US in 1996. Her recent travels have taken her to Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico and Peru.
Today Carol plans vacations and group tours to Central America, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. You can e-mail Carol at calegre@wfintl.com.
Susan Albrecht Susan joined PanAmerican in 2003, bringing a wealth of experience from the consulting and healthcare fields. She has successfully applied that expertise in her new role as Assistant Director of International Services for PanAmerican Groups + Incentives.
Susan loves adventure. She has traveled throughout Central America, South America, Europe and the Middle East. Her favorite destination in Latin America is Peru. You can reach Susan at salbrecht@wfintl.com.
