Jennifer Saavedra

I founded Side Routes to bring a fresh, authentic perspective to European travel, offering immersive tours and a curated marketplace of handpicked local experiences. From hidden walking routes through historic quarters to hands-on cooking classes and cultural deep dives, we connect travellers with genuine stories, passionate hosts, and unforgettable moments across Europe. As Managing Director, I oversee the company’s vision, operations, and growth strategy, building strong partnerships with trusted local operators, shaping our brand and marketing direction, and ensuring every experience on our platform reflects the quality, creativity, and soul of the destinations we represent. In 2026, we’re expanding into London, Amsterdam, and Paris, and are actively exploring the acquisition of smaller companies in the walking tour and food tour niche to accelerate our growth. Our food tours stand out for their interactive, hands-on approach, we don’t just serve you a plate of food; we invite you to roll up your sleeves, taste, create, and truly connect with the local culinary scene

As a Product Development Manager in the tourism industry, I specialize in crafting and launching innovative tours that deliver memorable experiences and drive profitability. With a strong focus on food and history-related tours, I oversee every aspect of tour development—from route planning, training, and partner coordination to scriptwriting and marketing strategy. Having traveled extensively across Europe, I work closely with local guides to curate and develop unique, authentic experiences that highlight the rich culture and history of each destination. I take pride in my ability to transform ideas into successful, revenue-generating products, having successfully launched 15 tours, with my latest venture achieving profitability within just three months. I thrive on collaborating with cross-functional teams and partners to create engaging, well-executed experiences that resonate with travelers and contribute to business growth.

As a representative for the Tipsy Tours brand at Carpe Diem Tours, I play a crucial role in the collaboration and coordination between the Tipsy Tours and Carpe Diem team. I primarily focus on growing and developing the Tipsy Tours brand, working closely with various teams within Carpe Diem, especially marketing, to enhance and expand our tour offerings. Due to the close relationship of the company many teams and aspects of the business overlap.

As the Global Manager at Tipsy Tours, a branch of Carpe Diem, I oversaw operations across our seven European locations. My key responsibilities included maintaining high standards and spearheading our expansion into new global destinations. In this role, I was committed to enhancing our service quality and ensuring each tour reflects the unique charm Tipsy Tours is known for. Additionally, worked in the design and leadership of the company's first training program for guides and destination managers. This position was a thrilling opportunity to grow our brand worldwide and introduce diverse cultural experiences to our clients.

As Destination Manager for Rome, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain. I was instrumental in launching these new destinations, a feat made possible by my initiative in creating and enhancing tour experiences. My promotion was a direct result of my efforts in improving the customer journey and strengthening staff relations, as well as creating the ever first guide's training program. In Rome and Barcelona, I focused on developing top-tier travel experiences, solidifying these cities as premier destinations for our guests. This chapter of my career was marked by significant growth, both for the company and for me personally, as I strived to deliver excellence in every aspect of my role.

During my period as a tour leader at the Tipsy Tours, a dynamic branch of Carpe Diem. Starting during July 2022, I eagerly stepped into my role, driven by enthusiasm and a steadfast commitment to excellence. My responsibilities included providing top-notch customer service, a task I approached with zeal and dedication. Additionally, I played a crucial role in managing and creatively developing the tours, constantly seeking ways to enhance the routes and overall experience.

I joined Tipsy Tours, a branch of Carpe Diem, in 2022. After demonstrating initiative and providing an exceptional hosting experience, I was promoted to the position of guide for Tipsy Tours.

Managed international client accounts across the U.S., Europe, India, and Brazil, primarily in the automotive, engineering, and medical device sectors. Acted as a strategic partner to understand complex project needs and matched clients with high-level specialists from a curated talent portfolio, successfully securing service contracts spanning 1 to 5 years. Collaborated closely with the recruitment team to source top-tier professionals and led project management efforts to ensure performance tracking, and overall client satisfaction.