Hey, it's
Carla!
Director, Business Development, Globus family of brands
What was it like starting a new job right as COVID-19 restrictions hit?
I joined the Globus family of brands in early March. Seven days later, we were all working from home. While it was an adjustment for everyone, technology has made the transition easier. My schedule, filled with phone calls and Zoom get-togethers, has provided that opportunity to stay connected. The Globus family of brands’ team has been wonderful and so supportive through my learning curve, on this new (to me) travel segment.
I know I speak for our whole team when I say that we look forward to seeing our trade partners, face-to-face, soon. We’ve missed them.
How have you been coping during the last few months and how have you been keeping busy?
The weeks and months have flown by. We have been extremely busy, working diligently, to stay engaged with our trade community. First, we focused on guiding them through our Peace of Mind Travel Plans: Options and choices that offered their clients some reassurance during a time of great uncertainty and trip cancellations. Next, we concentrated our efforts on education; designing and unveiling a series of trainings focused on our four brands plus a destination series of trainings made, in conjunction with our tourist board partners. Now, we are sharing plans, procedures and on-trip assurances focused on the future of travel, instilling confidence that when the world is ready, we will be ready to deliver the world to travellers.
While work has kept me quite busy, I have managed to get back to working out (a little), exploring my new neighbourhood and cleaning up our ‘treed’ backyard.
Carla Brake
Director, Business Development, Globus family of brands
“Once the world opens up again, travel will rebound. So many people are missing the joys that only travel provides… And, of course, the value of a travel advisor has never been more important. Not only are advisors guiding clients to the perfect holiday, they know which companies have the best health and safety protocols in place which will be of the utmost importance going forward.”
What do you miss most about travelling?
It is odd not having scheduled flights and plans in my calendar. I love experiencing the world – new cultures, people and cuisines – for work and for pleasure. We work in a very socially driven industry and I’m also missing the chance to get together with advisor friends, trade partners and industry colleagues (who are like a second family).
Where’s the first place you want to go and why?
I have been looking forward to going to Egypt for a couple of years and 2020 was going to be the year to go. When travel resumes, Egypt will, once again, be high on my list. This time at home has also inspired me to reimagine and reset my “go list.” Other destinations that I’m looking forward to visiting include Jordan, Greece and New Zealand as well as a long overdue visit to see my family in Newfoundland.
Is there anything agents should know about Globus?
Our guests are our priority. The guidance and support built-in to tours and river cruises will offer travellers the safety and assurances they’re looking for on their journey back to travel. We have spent more than 90 years creating unparalleled vacations and during this “time-out”, with help from our Global Health & Safety team, we have put the right plans and procedures in place to provide guests an incredible – and incredibly safe – way to explore the world and enjoy each and every destination to the fullest. Isn’t that what travel is all about!?!
There’s been a lot of talk about the industry coming out better on the other side of COVID-19. What are your hopes?
Once the world opens up again, travel will rebound. So many people are missing the joys that only travel provides. It will happen in stages as some are ready to go as soon as our borders open up and others will wait for a vaccine. Quarantine has forced us all to slow down a little and appreciate every moment. It would be nice to see this “slow down and reflect” trend continue in travel. It’s important for us to appreciate all the good things that travel can bring and the moments and memories we encounter along the way.
Before the pandemic, overtourism was a topic of great interest. In the last few years, we have unveiled many off-the-beaten-path experiences for travellers interested in exploring the world, without the crowds, with our “Undiscovered” series of tours as well as our “Active & Discovery” river cruises. We also unveiled several new river cruise ports for 2021. We anticipate that even more people will leave the crowds behind in the next few years, trading big city experiences for lesser-known areas.
And, of course, the value of a travel advisor has never been more important. Not only are advisors guiding clients to the perfect holiday, they know which companies have the best health and safety protocols in place which will be of the utmost importance going forward.
