I recently traveled from Madrid to Quito with three business partners. Together, we run a popular coffee franchise, and we wanted to expand our business with Ecuador’s Arabica coffee variety, known for its exceptional quality. It was a short but packed two-day trip, so we booked a private chauffeur, Mauricio, to ensure we could maximize our time. When our flight landed, Mauricio was already waiting, despite the very early hour in the morning.
Our check-in at Casa Gangotena hotel was not scheduled until midday, but Mauricio surprised us with his forethought: Having checked our agenda, he knew our first meeting was at 10.00h, and therefore had arranged with the concierge at the hotel for an early check-in, allowing us to refresh and rest after the long flight. I have to admit that was a gesture I don’t often encounter on my many business trips worldwide.
Once rested, Mauricio drove us through Quito’s streets, taking us to our meetings with local coffee producers. During our downtime, our chauffeur also introduced us to the city’s best coffee spots, sharing his own knowledge and enthusiasm for Ecuadorian coffee. Through him, we learned about local preferences and popular varieties, which added to our understanding of the market.
On the second day, Mauricio once again kept us on schedule, handling Quito’s traffic with ease and ensuring we reached all our appointments on time. By the end of the trip, we had completed very productive meetings and also gained a deep appreciation for Ecuador’s coffee culture. Thanks to Mauricio’s attentiveness and expertise, we left confident that our new partnerships would be a sound success and would bring Ecuadorian coffee to Spanish coffee lovers.
“For every passenger, I aim to provide not just smooth transportation, but also local insights that help them truly connect with Ecuador.”
