Mariposa Travel Advisors –A passion for seamless travel
Travel is a valuable and worthwhile luxury
Santa Monica Spotlight, Business Profile, December 2024
BY ANDREW BENDER
“Who starts a travel business during the pandemic?” asks Tanya Gilbert with a gentle laugh. “I did!” She had just completed a lifelong dream of a trip to see gorillas in Africa. “It was a transformational experience,” she says, “and it marked my first time working with a travel advisor, which meant I was free from the burden of details and decision-making on my trip, allowing me to savor every moment.
“It inspired me to reinvent myself and found Mariposa Travel Advisors.” Based in Santa Monica, the company opened its doors in December 2021, with Tanya serving as a luxury travel advisor, overseeing the boutique travel consultancy. With the philosophy of “Be a visitor not a tourist,” Tanya calls travel “a valuable and worthwhile luxury.”
Mariposa is part of the Virtuoso network of travel agents, which she calls “the world’s leading luxury travel consortium, an elite network that gives clients unique access to exclusive travel experiences and perks worldwide,” from top-tier hotels to tour operators, upgrades, amenities and special experiences.
“It all allows me to offer deeply personalized planning and exceptional service,” she says.
And just like the travel advisor who made her Africa trip happen, she says, “I aim to make travel planning effortless for clients, providing peace of mind so they can fully embrace the freedom to explore the world.”
It marked quite a shift from her previous career, more than 20 years as a political consultant. “That climate that became toxic and unrecognizable,” she reflects. “It was time do something I loved again.”
Still, some skills have transferred well. “I have a long history as a problem solver and fixing whatever challenges are thrown our way,” she says, citing “decades of meticulous planning skills, both innate and honed through professional experience, paired with an unwavering commitment to client care and a passion for exploration.
“I have luckily found a fun industry where we are all focused on building relationships and making clients happy.”
These days, she says, she still has a passion for exploration. “I really love finding a hidden gem, something on the road less traveled.” Just one example: currently she’s excited about the Trans-Dinarica Trail, the latest, still under-the-radar cycling hotspot in the Balkans: “It’s 2,200 miles of beautiful places, amazing food and warm people, perfect for slow travel. The trail is in its infancy, and for other curious travelers like me, it’s a great way to explore the region.”
Through immersing oneself in other cultures, she says, “These genuine experiences help bridge differences, connect us as a global community, and foster a more peaceful world.”
Tanya is living proof. “I met my husband in a bar in Chamonix, France, during a ski trip,” she says, with her trademark smile. “That led to a year in France, skiing and exploring Europe,” and eventually settling in Santa Monica.
This year they celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. So yes, travel can even bring lasting love.
