Kim Gontié
General Manager
Born and raised in France, Kim brings a European appreciation for culture, food and history to her role as General Manager of BPA. She specialises in designing bespoke Morocco journeys for Australian travellers, combining practical expertise with a deep understanding of the destination.
QUICK FACTS
BASED IN: Tasmania
WITH BPA SINCE: 2015
FAVOURITE MOROCCAN DESTINATION: Atlas Mountains
FAVOURITE MOROCCAN INGREDIENT: Amlou (decadent almond butter blended with argan oil 🤤)
Getting to know Kim
I first became involved with BPA after meeting Carol Prior while living in the Blue Mountains. At the time, I was immediately drawn to her stories of Morocco; the colour, the contrasts, and the depth of culture she described made a lasting impression. That initial connection eventually led me into the world of BPA, and into a country that continues to fascinate me with every visit.
I work closely with clients and travel agents to translate ideas, interests and expectations into carefully crafted Morocco journeys. No two travellers are the same, and I enjoy the process of understanding what each person is truly looking for, sometimes beyond what they initially articulate, and shaping an itinerary that reflects that.
I often think of itinerary design as a puzzle. There are many moving parts: destinations, pace, accommodation, experiences and logistics. The challenge, and the enjoyment, lies in bringing those elements together in a way that feels seamless and intentional, while still allowing space for discovery and surprise.
What I find most rewarding is seeing travellers return with a completely new perspective on Morocco. Many arrive with certain expectations, but leave surprised by the richness of its culture and the diversity of experiences it offers. When those clients then go on to recommend BPA to friends and family, it feels like a genuine reflection of the care and thought that has gone into their journey.
For me, it is not just about planning trips; it is about creating experiences that stay with people long after they return home.
What makes designing a Morocco itinerary more complex and more interesting than people might expect?
The complexity isn’t in finding things to do, it’s in deciding what not to do. Morocco is one of those destinations where over-planning can ruin the experience. The difference between a good trip and a great one usually comes down to pacing, sequencing, and resisting the urge to overfill it. So the real work is editing, not adding.
What is the first thing you try to understand about a traveller before designing their itinerary?
People will often start with a list of destinations or experiences, but rarely tell you how they want the journey to feel. For some travellers, the priority is a sense of ease, balance and space to absorb what they’re seeing. For others, it’s intensity, wanting to cover ground, maximise time, and feel constantly engaged. I like to identify that underlying rhythm early on, because it shapes every decision that follows: how much you move, how much you stay, and how the trip unfolds day to day. Once I understand motivation and preferred pace, the rest of the design becomes much more precise.
What is one experience in Morocco that you think every traveller should consider?
Building in a shift in setting within their itinerary, through a couple of nights that break the pattern of the journey. That might mean moving from a riad in the medina to a more open, landscape-led setting in the Atlas Mountains or the desert, or the reverse. The point isn’t the property itself, but the contrast it creates in how Morocco is experienced. Without a shift in setting, travellers can miss part of what makes the country so compelling in its variety. A well-placed change of accommodation often becomes one of the most memorable elements of the journey.
What’s one misconception about travelling in Morocco that you regularly have to correct?
That Morocco is difficult to travel in, or requires a compromise in comfort or safety. In reality, most of the perceived challenges come down to planning rather than the destination itself. When the logistics and local support are properly considered, Morocco becomes a very accessible and highly rewarding country to travel through. This is particularly relevant for solo travellers, including women travelling independently. Luckily, these assumptions often disappear very quickly once people are on the ground.
How would you describe Morocco in three words, and why?
Layered, because meaning is rarely direct or singular. Conversations, interactions and everyday exchanges operate with nuance; things are implied as much as they are said. It can be subtle, sometimes even frustrating if you’re used to more direct communication, but it is also part of a deeply embedded cultural rhythm that reveals itself over time. I am still learning!
Dynamic, because it is a country that is constantly moving and evolving, both in its cities and its everyday life. Nothing feels static.
Contrasting, because some of the most striking moments come from how different elements sit alongside each other: old and new, calm and chaotic, refined and raw. Those contrasts are what make it such a compelling destination to design and travel through.