Meet Jakki Prince
Jakki Prince knows the future is going to be epic. Within Prince Adventures, they refer to must-do trips of the future as being on an #epiclist. Prince feels that time is the most precious commodity in a person’s life and strives to help to maximize it in every way for clients.
Jakki Prince
Chief Epic Officer, Prince Adventures Travel, TPI
Jakki conducts herself to the highest degree of professionalism at all times. An expert with luxury travel and loyal to both her clientele and her preferred suppliers. She is trustworthy and supportive, and I continue to work with her to implement strategic objectives to be a more engaged, better and supportive partner.
Carl Garbig
Regional Manager, African Travel
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been in the industry?
I’ve been an advisor since May 2019. I joined the travel industry because travel is in my blood and I know I can support my travellers’ dreams so they can become a reality. I am married to an incredibly supportive, caring and inspiring husband, Jamie, without whom I would never be able to pursue growing our travel business. Everywhere is on my future travel list. The world is full of great destinations and my goal is to see them all. My favourite trip is always the next one to look forward to.
Why and how did you decide to become a travel advisor?
After selling my first business (a bakery and food truck) in October 2018, I gave myself a year to decide what my next business would be. Seven months later while on a trip to Bermuda with my mom it became clear to me, channeling my passion for travel should be my next venture, inspiring and supporting others.
What’s your favourite part of being a travel agent?
Sharing my ever-growing #epiclist of experiences with clients as we collectively discover new destinations and opportunities. Within Prince Adventures we refer to must do trips of the future to be a part of your ‘epic list’. ‘Bucket list’ is morbid and we should collectively stop using it. Travellers I speak with and I, mutually fuel off of one another’s excitement to seek unique and thrilling game changing trips. Time is the most precious commodity in a persons’ life, and through this business I help to maximize it in every way.
What’s a key thing you learned during the pandemic?
The pandemic reinforced my business belief that you are in control of your own business, despite challenges and chaos surrounding you. Only you can decide what to do each day, what you consume or ignore, and how you will react to an ever-changing landscape.
What will be your first post-pandemic trip and why?
I travelled within the pandemic, moving and working remotely for nearly six months in Barbados over the winter. This was one of the best life decisions my husband and I have ever made. For 2022 we have three cruises booked and I am optimistic they will take place. I love all kinds of travel, and know that sometimes the best way to explore a region or destination is by cruise — be it ocean, river or expedition. We’ll of course visit my mother-in-law Margie as soon as we can in Newfoundland too.
Do you believe more people will use travel advisors after covid-19?
Yes. Although, I caution this will be a disproportionate uptake. Those travel advisors positioning themselves now to attract new clients, will come out on top. I do not feel universally all travel advisors will see an overall X% upturn in business.
From charging fees to re-evaluating which suppliers you will work or won’t work with in the future, how have you changed the way you work since the pandemic hit?
I have reaffirmed to myself that Prince Adventures is client driven, traveller focused, not solely based on specific suppliers. I am challenging myself to remain responsive to their individual and evolving needs, and adjusting my focus given their direction. Although, I’m always working to inspire their dreams. Rather than applying fees across the board, I have narrowed my focus on my top clients not key suppliers.
How have you adjusted your business strategy over the past year?
I have learned a lot from my peers at Travel Professionals International. One strategy I use every day is to keep an open dialogue with prospective travellers and keenly listen to what they are saying between the phrases, words and verbiage they use. You can learn a lot about their goals, ideas and motivations to travel by acutely listening and asking the right follow up questions.
What’s your biggest piece of advice for travel advisors right now?
Being an entrepreneur is a difficult career. Give yourself the grace and time to feel and learn from the lows. Use the dark times to fuel your energy to tackle whatever your next hurdles are. Move forward in small ways, every, single, day.
Do you have anything to add? In the last year I’ve added Mongolia and Slovenia to my #epiclist and with no particular timeline hope to travel to these countries in the future.
