About Us
HISTORY
ILS – Incentive & Leisure Services is a company dedicated to incoming tourism ranging from the traditional sightseeing itineraries to very specialized travel opportunities. It was founded in May 2000. Ongoing commitment to both product quality and service led to success. ILS is located in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina, close to San Martin Square and Florida pedestrian Street. Today ILS family has grown into a well reputated mid-sized company with a team of skilled and multi-language experts. The spirit of the company is still to provide personalized travel solutions.
On frequent familiarization trips (see staff photographs) they continuously upgrade their knowledge about the country and maintain and overview about new tourism investments. The three owners are still involved in the daily work and supervise a personalized and competent service.
OUR FACES
OFELIA PEREIRAManager / OwnerWith an amazing background in the Argentine tourism scene, she is well known in the Patagonian market and has excellent contacts with service providers as well as with local authorities. During her career, she travelled extensively throughout the entire country and you can literary say that she knows every corner of Argentina. At the beginning of her career, she escorted Argentine groups worldwide. Around mid-80s Ofelia became involved in the newly developing Argentine incoming scene and she accepted a challenging position as operation manager at one of the incoming pioneers. She grew into a skilled expert and today she can look back to a great deal of experience.
PHILIPP STRAESSLEManager / OwnerSwiss citizen, studies in tourism and commerce, more than 30 years business experience working for American and Swiss companies all over the world. Before moving to Argentina, he was Product Manager for a leading Swiss tour operator. Thus, he perfectly understands the needs of overseas tourism companies. Philipp himself has travelled extensively throughout the world, but Latin America has always been his favourite. Philipp knows how to organize a trip and is fully aware of the responsibility. Swiss perfectionism and high quality services are his top priorities. Philipp is heading the ILS Sales and Marketing Department. He regularly visits his clients overseas and attends the most important tourist fairs in Europe. He also acts as a coordinator between the operation department and the customers.
SILVINA SANFELIÚManager / OwnerHer background as a graduate in business administration and accounting is in the insurance business and in private pension companies. She maintained different management positions and was usually in charge of administration departments.
Her ability of improving efficiency and streamlining operations was ideal for the ILS spirit and essential for the growth of the company. In a short time, Silvina is in charge of the administration, finance and staff and is responsible for special projects.
OPERATIONS
Boeni, PatriciaCataratas del Iguazú - Misiones
Howard, María JoséTilcara - Jujuy
Kaspar, DeniseRío Iguazú, Misiones
Navarro, RosanaCerro Otto - Río Negro
Ortolani, María ElenaTango in Buenos Aires
Rubio, KarinaEl Chaltén - Santa Cruz
Zárate, SilvinaEstancia in Buenos Aires
ADMINISTRATION
Carrizo, MiriamIschigualasto - San Juan
Mastronicola, NatyUshuaia- Tierra del Fuego
Quiroga, AlejandraTigre- Buenos Aires
OUR GUIDES
We have a well-established team of freelance guides, who are available at the most important tourist spots of the country. All major European languages are spoken and therefore we can provide guides with the necessary language without any extra cost. Only at some remote areas in central or northern Argentina, we can only provide English/Spanish speaking guides. Most of our guides are graduated from a five-year tourism university career and in order to guide in national parks or province reserves they have to be licensed and approved by the local tourism authority. Regular courses to maintain and upgrade the knowledge are compulsory in most of the provinces. This guarantees a high level of education. ILS always takes an extra care in choosing appropriate guides with a good appearance and knowledge of languages.
OUR EXPEDITION LEADERS
A small team of experienced and multi-language expedition leaders are available for overland tours. Some of them work exclusively for ILS. They are prepared to escort groups or sometimes go as a driver-guide with individual clients throughout the country. Most commonly, these expedition leaders are requested for trips to remote areas like the legendary Ruta 40, which goes along the Andes or the Carretera Austral in neighbouring Chile. Other preferred territories are the northern central valleys and the Cuyo region. At special request, we also provide mountain guide for trekking tours to the high Andes peaks and even for climbing the Aconcagua mountain (6,959m). However, only Spanish/English speaking guides are available.
OUR TRANSPORTATION
A wide variety of private cars, 4×4 Jeeps, minivans, or buses is available in the entire country depending on the needs of the group or individual clients. Most of the vehicles are the latest generation, comfortable and with air conditioning. Due to route conditions and in areas of unpaved roads, some of these vehicles are more strained and scattered windscreens are common and part of the adventure. All vehicles are registered, licensed and insured by the Ministry of Transportation. All drivers are professional, have a great deal of experience with overseas tourists, and excellent driving skills. Driver-guides with knowledge of foreign language are available in certain areas of the country and for private cars or 4×4. Bus drivers usually speak Spanish only.
ILS – Incentive & Leisure Services is a company dedicated to incoming tourism ranging from the traditional sightseeing itineraries to very specialized travel opportunities. It was founded in May 2000.
