Australia’s own Latin America and Antarctica specialist is attracting some of the industry’s best talent.

A number of new recruits with a total of nearly 40 years’ travel industry experience between them have joined the company as it continues to expand its operations.

Greg Carter, Co-Director of Chimu Adventures, said: “We’re very excited to welcome each new member of staff to the Chimu family, many of who have previously worked for top travel companies such as Tucan Travel. I’m sure their years of experience and passion will help with the continued growth of the company.”

One of the new recruits, Sarah Baxter, has been employed to head up the company’s activities in Victoria, where it is hoped a new office will be opened in the next year.

On her new role Sarah said: “I'm thrilled to join Chimu Adventures at this exciting time. My main focus is to build our presence in Victoria and ensure more and more customers and Travel Agents become aware of what we have to offer and our unique way of travel.”

“It’s very exciting to be working within an organisation that truly specialises in the regions it operates in. Fresh back from Peru, Colombia and Chile and experiencing Chimu's amazing service and expertise first-hand, I'm looking forward to sharing my passion for Latin America and working with our agents and clients to develop their dream itineraries.”

To date, Chimu’s growth has been largely organic and a result of amazing prices, solid knowledge, exceptional sales skills and a bountiful percentage of referrals. What began as a two person operation in 2004 is now a fast growing business. The travel company currently carries 3,000 pax to Latin America and Antarctica and has offices in Sydney, Sunshine Coast, London, Lima, Cusco and Buenos Aires.

Chad Carey, Co-Direct of Chimu Adventures, said: “It’s been an exciting year for Chimu. Not only did we see a 50% growth in the business, we also invested in new technology to help make our operations even more efficient, and purchased land in Cusco, Peru, to build our very first hotel in the region. On top of that we won the 2011 Australia-Latin America Business Excellence Award in recognition of our excellent work and commitment to the region, the first travel company to do so. We also launched our new logo and will soon have a brand new brochure and website.”