TORONTO — Major milestones come with memories, lessons learned and, above all, a sense of achievement for the past, and excitement about the future.
Armando Mendonça, founder and President of AMpm Canada, is checking off all those boxes and more as he marks 40 years in the business.
“I proudly celebrate 40 years in the travel industry – a journey filled with passion, dedication, meaningful partnerships and unforgettable experiences,” says Mendonça. “From my beginnings in tourism in 1986 to founding AMpm Canada, it has been an incredible privilege to represent destinations, build lasting relationships and contribute to the growth of Canada’s travel community. Every milestone has been made possible by the trust and support of colleagues, clients, partners and friends.”
For the past 12 years AMpm Canada has handled the Canadian representation for the Vienna Tourist Board.
“There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude to have had such a life changing experience representing a destination that has allowed me to flourish both professionally and personally. I owe a huge ‘thank you’ and will be forever indebted to Elke Bachner at the Vienna Tourist Board that believed in me and saw that I was up for the task,” says Mendonça.
The Vienna Tourist Board’s Elke Bachner with Mendonça
Sometimes there’s a bit of serendipity in building a business. Mendonça says he never set out to be an entrepreneur. “Honestly, I never thought I would have my own company, and I knew from the get-go that building and maintaining trusted partnerships is paramount,” he says. “I have evolved both personally and professionally with the support of this incredible industry. My years of experience, especially as an entrepreneur towards the latter part of my career, is a testament to endless opportunities.”
Mendonça’s AMpm Canada has represented the Vienna Tourist Board for the past 12 years
Making connections that endure for decades – and getting to know people beyond the boardroom – have been a big part of Mendonça’s success.
He shares a personal anecdote that became a lifelong lesson, courtesy of travel industry veteran Errol Francis.
“It was sometime in the mid-1990s, during my time at Canadian Holidays, when I attended my first World Travel Market (WTM) buying trip accompanied by the president at the time, Errol Francis, who intimidated me,” says Mendonça. “I was nervous to misstep and not know my stuff. But Errol was more concerned to know about me, and my family. I cannot tell you how much that moment taught me to humanize every moment beyond someone’s role or position.”
Mendonça in his early days in the industry, working for Canadian Holidays
Mendonça’s four decades in the travel industry has spanned the sectors, from wholesale to retail to now marketing tourism with AMpm Canada. He shared his take on the Canadian travel industry today: “There’s the convergence of our industry and the clash between old school and AI. I find myself somewhere in the middle, pushing towards a more personalized experience than relying on AI.”
He says he’s excited to share his recent dual citizenship with Portugal, “which opens the landscape at diversifying my portfolio while continuing to promote and market tourism in Canada and abroad. I will leverage the relationships I built over the years and welcome the prospect of new opportunities.”
His message to the industry? “Thank you to everyone who has been part of this remarkable journey. Here’s to celebrating the past, embracing the present, and looking forward to many more years of inspiring travel and creating new opportunities.”
Lead image caption: AMpm’s Armando Mendonça at Chez Bernard in Vienna
