After celebrating the goals achieved in 2021 and with an ambitious agenda for 2022, Gerardo Berra, director of Turismo Felgueres, reviews the most important milestones in his career as an entrepreneur.
In dialogue with Noticias, Berra talks about his beginnings in the business world, the choice of Argentina as the headquarters for his projects and his foray into other areas, beyond tourism.
How was your start in the business world?
After finishing college at Les Roches, where I studied at the China Shanghai and Marbella Spain locations, I had my first work experiences in China and then in Abu Dhabi in Formula 1 Marketing. I wanted to learn more about South America and I came to Argentina ; That’s when I decided to open a tourism agency. The first year was difficult, but fortunately today I am 6 years old and we have had quite a big growth. My first business was when I was 21 years old, with an investment of 5 thousand dollars, which I managed to consolidate and make a successful business.
You worked mainly in the tourism industry, what other businesses did you previously invest in? Would you like to diversify your investment?
I currently have two fairly large tourism agencies where we move more than 5,000 passengers a year to luxury destinations and we expect to triple this year. However, I also have investments in real estate in different countries; I have enough land in Mexico where we do hydroponic cultivation of bell peppers for sale in the United States; I have investments in gastronomy and I am also about to produce a film in Argentina with a great cast of people prepared and with a long history in this country, for which I can say that I am venturing into the field. Previously I was also an investor in many plays. As of today, these are some of my businesses. However, I am growing a lot in agriculture and real estate building and buying in different parts of the world.
Why Argentina?
It is a country that received me very well, today I feel my home. As much as I can live in other countries, I decide to stay here, having offices in Mexico, Miami, etc. For me, Argentina is a unique country.
What are the benefits and pleasant surprises that you have found?
I am lucky to have come across very good, honest, hard-working, professional people. My entire circle and my work team is made up of admirable people, they are all part of my life beyond the professional. I have managed to have a great family.
Do you have a long-term investment plan? Of how many years?
I am working on a construction project and another receptive tourism project to make Argentina known and bring tourists. They are very large projects that I will tell more about in the future, but it is an investment over approximately 15 years.
What would be the annual investment amount for these new businesses? And for those already established?
During the past year I invested more than 150 million pesos in new businesses and in tourism. For this year I have projected a growth of 150% and an approximate investment of 5 million dollars to enter the Brazilian tourism market and to continue with real estate.
In which areas of these businesses would the main investment go?
Today I could say that in tourism, real estate and commerce. We will also have a strong investment in the entertainment sector.
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