Tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been in the industry?
I went into the Travel Consultant program at Grant MacEwan college right after high school. I have been in the industry since I graduated from the program 22 years ago. I have had the opportunity to travel to many places around the world since I graduated including six months spent in Europe, trips to South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Galapagos, Peru, Australia… These first hand experiences have not only helped me during the sales process but they have also reaffirmed to me why I love being in this industry.branch/office manager for many years. My real passion is working with my clients and finding the exact right itinerary with them to fit their needs and I’ve been a frontline travel professional for the past eight years.
Why and how did you decide to become a travel advisor?
At the time I was only 17 when I decided, I had travelled quite a bit by then and I had the travel bug. I remember thinking “what do I love to do and how do I make it a job?” I came across the Travel Consultant program in one of those college course books in high school and I knew that was what I wanted to do.
What’s your favourite part of being a travel agent?
I love working on custom itineraries for clients and giving them recommendations for things to see and do that are unique and different.
What’s the main thing that’s changed about your clients or the travel industry since the pandemic?
Clients are doing more bucket list trips, they are gone for longer and are spending more.balances out and adjusts so that we can get back to more manageable wait times.
Do you believe more people are using travel advisors since the pandemic? Why or why not?
Yes they are. I think there is a combination of reasons, they don’t feel comfortable booking on their own, they had issues with cancelled reservations during covid, or they don’t want to wait on hold to book direct.
Can you share a special travel memory and what travel means to you?
I was lucky enough to travel to Peru in 2014 and 2019. On both trips I went to the same local community to see how traditional weaving was done. In 2019 you could see the positive impact it had on the community. In 2014 there were only a few women employed there and in 5 years they were busy enough to employ over 50 women. They told us how the women who have been there since the beginning have all been able to send their children to University and support their families.
What’s still on your travel must see list?
Croatia, Vietnam and Egypt.
In hindsight, what do you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting out?
How important time management is.
Where do you stand on charging fees?
Lawyers don’t work for free so why should we. If I’m making a booking that doesn’t pay commission or very little I will charge a fee.
What’s the nicest thing a client has ever done for you?
A client gave me a case of wine during covid.
