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Modest beginnings

Travel agency owner found career packed in a suitcase

With a love of tourism and a passion for travel, Laura Rodriguez-Verbera hardly considers what she does a job. In fact, as owner and president of Marina Tours & Travel, Verbera considers her occupation to be more of a privilege.

With more than 30 years of experience in tourism, Verbera’s career has taken her through various management and executive positions in hotels and travel agencies, which all eventually led to her opening her own business in 1990.

“I started with very little money and my mother and two sisters started off with me,” says Verbera. “It’s been such an honor being able to provide beautiful travel destinations to my customers and help them fulfill their dreams.”

Like many of the dreams of her customers, Verbera’s dream began with a modest beginning. Though she was born in San Francisco, Calif., and grew up in the Los Angeles area, Verbera’s roots are in Ayutla, Jalisco, Mexico where she attended her last years of elementary school.

“It’s in Ayutla, Jalisco where I learned the history of Mexico and learned to treasure Mexico’s culture and traditions,” she says.

Although Verbera and her eight siblings moved back to California for a while during her high school years, her family eventually returned to Guadalajara. There Verbera spent the next 10 years of her life.

She took a job as a hotel bilingual reservation secretary and began her journey in the tourism field. She moved on to various departments at the hotel and gained experience as she earned positions throughout the company’s management levels. 

“My career with the hotel gave me great opportunities on all levels…I had the chance to work a lot in the States, going to trade shows and conventions to promote the products in Mexico,” Verbera says.

The young travel expert would return to Phoenix, in 1985 with a specific purpose.

“I was so happy with my job, but at that time the economy in Mexico wasn’t that great,” she recalls. “It was actually my desire to purchase a car that brought me here (to Phoenix). I told myself I would buy a car and go back to Mexico…I’ve gone through five cars since then and I’m still here!”

Verbera was still single when she opened her venture in 1990. She was working a part-time job mornings at a local bank. In the afternoon, she would “change hats” to work her travel business in the afternoons. After a few years, Marina Tours & Travel turned into a full-time gig.

Today Verbera, alongside her husband Antonio, whom she married in 1996, operate two office locations, one in Phoenix and the other in Mesa. Their nine-year-old daughter Paulina also assists with the family business.

As a full-service agency, Marina Tours offers a variety of services and products, including airline tickets, tour packages and excursions, car rentals, cruises, hotel reservations and travel insurance.

And Verbera says she’s enjoyed the journey every step of the way.

“I’ve been so fortunate to see so many beautiful people and places,” she says. “The travel industry is one that’s struggled since Sept. 11, but we’ve been able to overcome those issues and are always looking out for new things and ways of doing business.”

As for what Verbera sees in the near future for Marina Tours, she says she wants to branch out to help smaller companies in the Valley with their corporate group travel.

“Following your dreams, following your heart and emotions is what brings greatness. Education is key, but it has to be supported by that passion of doing what you love.”