Since its inception in 2005, Bamba Experience Group has evolved from a simple business idea inspired by backpacking adventures into a multifaceted travel company. Founded by Paul Sarfati and Arturo Martinez, the company has grown to manage a diverse portfolio of brands focused on adventure travel, destination management, local experiences, customized vacations, and women-centered group travel. Sarfati, who honed the concept while studying entrepreneurship at Babson College, drew inspiration from his own travel experiences, including a year-long backpacking journey at the age of 18, to create a company that initially emphasized independent and experiential tourism. Over time, this vision expanded into Bamba Travel, aimed at travelers seeking adventure and unique experiences.
The company’s journey of expansion included entering the destination management sector in 2008, with operations in Mexico and Peru. These ventures eventually became part of Be DMC, encompassing Be Mexico and Be Peru, which collaborate with tour operators and travel agencies to provide local expertise. In 2013, the group launched Urban Day Trips, offering shorter, locally-focused travel experiences. A significant shift occurred in 2020 with the introduction of Baboo Travel, targeting travelers interested in customized trips without the hassle of dealing with multiple planning services. Baboo Travel connects travelers with Local Experts, harnessing technology to streamline the tailor-made travel process. By 2026, the company unveiled Viajando Juntas, a brand dedicated to curated small-group journeys for women, offering a communal and intimate travel experience.
Bamba Experience Group’s current portfolio spans several key areas of tourism: Bamba Travel for independent and adventure-focused trips, Be DMC for destination management services, Urban Day Trips for local excursions, Baboo Travel for bespoke journeys with Local Experts, and Viajando Juntas for women-centric group travel. Sarfati highlights that the company’s evolution has been significantly influenced by the dynamic expectations of travelers and the necessity to adapt its business model accordingly. “Travel changes. Technology changes. Distribution changes. People change,” Sarfati noted, underscoring the importance of aligning with shifting customer demands.
Technology plays a pivotal role across the group’s operations, with AI-enabled systems being developed to enhance customer inquiries, itinerary planning, proposals, bookings, traveler communications, and customer relationship management. According to Sarfati, the aim is to utilize technology in a manner that supports rather than replaces human interaction in travel. This approach mirrors a broader trend in the tourism industry, where travelers increasingly seek digital convenience while still valuing human expertise for intricate itineraries, local insights, and personalized service.
More than two decades after its launch, Bamba Experience Group has transformed from a singular adventure travel concept into a collective of businesses serving distinct segments of the tourism market. This evolution showcases a strategy focused on market specialization, with brands tailored to specific traveler needs while leveraging shared technology, expertise, and infrastructure across the group. The company continues to align its portfolio with ongoing trends in tourism, including experiential travel, personalized itineraries, destination expertise, digital planning, and community-based group travel.
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