Meet the Newest Force Behind Holland House Chile!
Holland House Chile welcomes a dynamic new board member: Aurore Peyrelongue, the Country Manager of Air France-KLM in Chile. With an impressive background in economics, law, and aviation, Aurore brings a wealth of expertise and a fresh perspective to the Chamber. But who is she? What drives her passion for strengthening Dutch-Chilean business ties? And what can we expect from her role at Holland House?
We sat down with Aurore to learn more about her journey, her vision, and her ambitions as part of our leadership team.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
“On the professional side, I have a License Degree of Mathematics Applied to Social Sciences and a Master Degree of Law, Economics and Management. I have been working at Air France-KLM for 8 years, being a Pricing Analyst, Pricing Manager and Global Sales Manager. And now, Country Manager for Chile. On the personal life, I’m French raised in Toulouse, but I spent the last 10 years living in Amsterdam, and have moved to Santiago this year with my cat Chaplin. Apart from work, you will see me always willing to taste new types of food and enjoying sports in general, like volleyball, hiking, skiing, swimming, diving.”
How long have you been living in Chile?
“I arrived in Chile in September 2024, but officially took the role as Country Manager of Air France-KLM in December.”
What do you think of Chile so far? What do you find most beautiful, and what did you have to adjust to the most?
“People are super nice and helpful; nature is amazing and weather is the opposite of Dutch weather. Here we have sun every day and barely no rain. I find Chilean Spanish a bit hard to understand as people speak so quickly, so I’m still working on to get used to that.”
Can you tell us more about your role at KLM-Air France?
“The Country Manager role for Air France-KLM in Chile involves overseeing all aspects of the airline’s operations within the country. This includes managing sales and marketing activities, ensuring customer service excellence, and optimizing operational efficiency. The manager is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to grow the airline’s market share, establishing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, such as travel agencies, corporate clients, and government authorities. Additionally, the role entails ensuring compliance with local regulations, managing budgets, and leading the local team to achieve organizational goals.”
Which skills and experiences from your current role and career are most useful in your position as a board member of Holland House?
“The first thing I can mention is team management. By having experience in leading diverse teams and managing staff performance, I believe I will be able to add to the chamber activities, fostering collaboration and engagement. Stakeholder relationship management is another key element from my experience, as I am amble of building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, such as business leaders, government officials, and corporate clients, which I believe is essential for advocating on behalf of the Chamber’s members and facilitating business connections. Knowledge of sales and marketing tactics is also an important asset that I can bring to the Chamber to help promoting its services, and enhancing the visibility of Dutch businesses in the local market. Finally, I would mention the ability to address and resolve operational challenges swiftly and adapt to changing market conditions. This would be useful in navigating the dynamic business environment and supporting the Chamber’s mission.”
What motivated you to become a board member?
“I can say that three elements drive my motivation: (1) a desire to advocate for Dutch businesses and promote bilateral trade and investment between the Netherlands and Chile; (2) serving on the board offers valuable experience in governance, strategic planning, and leadership, which can enhance my personal development; and (3) the role provides a platform to connect with business leaders, government officials, and industry experts, expanding one’s professional network.”
And how has it been so far?
“As I have not participated in anything relate to the chamber yet, I can’t really say. But I’m looking forward to having great experiences and meaningful discussions with the group”.
What will you focus on as a board member? What will be your main priority?
“As a board member at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, I will focus on promoting and enhancing tourism between the Netherlands and Chile, leveraging the strengths and resources of KLM. This will include:
- Collaborative Marketing Campaigns: Partner with tourism boards and local businesses to create joint marketing campaigns that highlight the unique attractions of both countries, encouraging mutual tourism.
- Tourism Events and Trade Shows: Organize and participate in tourism-related events and trade shows to showcase the best of Dutch and Chilean tourism offerings, facilitating business partnerships and attracting tourists.
- Sustainable Tourism Initiatives: Promote sustainable tourism practices, aligning with KLM’s commitment to sustainability, to ensure that tourism growth is environmentally responsible and benefits local communities.
- Cultural Exchange Programs: Support cultural exchange programs that foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Dutch and Chilean cultures, enhancing the overall travel experience for tourists.”
Text: Vanessa Vijzelman & Aurore Peyrelongue