The Oscar Lobo Award

Oscar Lobo spent his professional life promoting the wonders of South & Central America. He accomplished his mission in various ways from employment with airlines serving Latin America to working with and owning a Wholesale Tour Operation.

As one of the four outstanding speakers for “Focus Latin America” tradeshow circuit, Oscar was dynamic in his presentation to the retail travel agent community.

When Oscar took ill, he wanted desperately to continue his efforts. Amy Coleman of William H Coleman Inc. asked Hermine Taramona of Tara Tours Inc. to prepare a presentation covering all of the Central American countries in order to be a back up for Oscar should he not be physically able to fulfill this commitment.

Photo Credit:
Michele Shelburne, Ladatco Tours


This back up enabled Oscar to attend more presentations as he educated and delighted many retail travel agents though out the United States and Canada. 

Sadly, Oscar passed away in 1994. Hermine then took to the Board of Directors of SATA, the idea of creating the prestigious Oscar Lobo Award. Up until that time, the industry had no way to recognize those who had the heartfelt commitment to promote tourism to South & Central America. The Board unanimously accepted and the motion was passed and in that same year the first award was presented.

Recipients of this prestigious award include

1994    Mr. Jim Woodman (Latintravel.com)
1995    Mr. Ray Heckmann, Sr. (Festival Tours)
1996    Ms. Michele Shelburne (Ladatco Tours)
1997    Mr. Darius Morgan (Crillon Tours)
1998    Ms. Carla Hunt (Travel Weekly)
1999    Ms. Dulce Rosado (Aero Peru)
2000    Mr. Ciro Correa (LAN Airlines)
2001    Mr. Eduardo Proano (Metropolitan Touring)
2002    Ms. Hermine Taramona (Tara Tours)
2003    Mr. Keith Harrell (American Airlines)
2004    Mr. William Coleman (William H Coleman, Inc)
2005    Mr. Daniel Taramona (Tara Tours)
2006    Ms. Annie Berk (Ladatco Tours)
2007    Mr. David Moore (Adventure Associates)
2008    Mr. Carlos Fida (Panamerican Travel Services)
2009    Ms. Dulce Rovira (SATA Administrator)