Q&A with Ana Jaimes, Verona Travel Ltd
Tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been a travel advisor?
My name is Ana Jaimes. I was born and raised in a little town in Mexico. I moved to Canada when I was six and have lived here ever since. I have graduated from the travel and service management program at Humber College. I’ve been a travel advisor for almost three years now. Thanks to my boss, Alfiero Cavallo from Verona Travel in Bradford who gave me a chance to grow in his business and learn about the industry. I have visited eight countries now. I know it might not seem like a lot but to me it is a blessing to be able to experience that many in such a short amount of time and I can’t wait to experience more!
Why did you decide to become a travel advisor?
I wanted to travel and experience new things, the culture, the people, food. As well as being able to bring other people into these awesome countries. The world was created to be experienced. Why waste this life in just working all day when you can go out and see new things?
What’s something clients or potential clients do that bugs you or you would consider a red flag?
Things clients do that I would consider a red flag would be complaining about something out of our control, such as weather, airline rules, etc.
What do you wish everybody knew about travel advisors?
Something I wish everyone knew about travel advisors is that we go out of our way to provide the best of the best for our clients. We try to help and make the best trip they’ve had.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
I do not have a favourite part, I have multiple such as when I see the clients faces when they have booked their trip and they get excited to go or when they come back to receive their e-tickets, that’s when you know they are really looking forward to their trip or when they come back from their trip and they tell you all about it and say thank you for all our hard work, that really means a lot. I do not need gifts or anything in return but the simple words of thank you mean much more.
What destinations are you booking right now?
I currently am booking to Portugal, Italy, Dominican Republic and Mexico.
What do you do to grow your clientele?
We have a travel account on our Instagram, @veronatravelltd, where we post last minute deals, new destinations, our experiences at resorts, etc. As well as a lot of word of mouth, we get variety of references through our usual clients. when you provide the high level of customer service, people will come back and people will talk about you. Nowadays we have noticed that the level of service from other places have gone down. I do not know why but people are not kind and helpful anymore and rather not go out of their way to do help others. But we have kept that level of customer service and that is one of the reasons we see repeated guest coming back.
Do you have anything to add?
A little advice to anyone, the only trip you will regret is the one you don’t take. Is either go for it or just keep waiting until time passes you by. When you die all the money is not going to come with you, its either be happy and do what you want or just keep working miserably day after day and not have time for travel. Everyone should travel at least once a year, I promise it will make your life more happier and exciting.
