Agents Carry On During Tough Times:
IAN STALKER
If there aren’t any bookings there are still books.
Kayla Dawson
Canada One Travel
International travel has largely ground to a halt but that doesn’t mean Kayla Dawson’s workload has.
“It’s certainly not busy like a few weeks ago, but I do always have files on the go –many are for fall travel, and I am doing some inquiries for next winter already,” Dawson, of Canada One Travel in Winnipeg, said in late March. “The rush of cancellations for spring travel is almost done for me now. Clients are accepting the situation.”
Dawson reported she’s getting calls from clients who are concerned about her during this pandemic. “I have wonderful clients!”
Puzzles have made a comeback in Dawson’s house, and Dawson said she’s spending a lot of time on them during weekends. She’s also going for walks.
“I do also have a few books to read, so hopefully I can get into them soon,” Dawson added.
Ethel Hansen Davey
Uniglobe Enterprise Travel
No one can accuse Ethel Hansen Davey of throwing in the towel and walking away from a beleaguered travel industry. Toronto agent Hansen Davey sees things to be hopeful about, even during these gloomy times.
“My routine was crazy for the first two weeks, cancelling and changing air bookings and vacation packages,” she says. “Then, when all the dust settled from that and my last valued client landed on Canadian soil, full stop. No one is booking and for good reason. I know that many are saying to book, book, book for next fall and winter, and yes, I am keeping in touch with my clients that are looking ahead to do that, but am cautioning them to let me do the due diligence to make sure that all will still be good to go when it is time to travel. As an independent travel advisor I know that I am in for a really rough few months commission-wise but we must put the needs and safety of our clients ahead of that. The owners here at Uniglobe Enterprise Travel Ltd are being very, very supportive and I see that the government is now working with contract and independent workers for financial support too so there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The wolf may not reach my door.”
Hansen Davey says there are many online learning tools that agents that who aren’t now working can take advantage of “during this time of no sales and I encourage those that are new in the business or those that just dabble to take full advantage of those tools. Remember everyone, we are all in this together. Patience and kindness will get us out the other side of this in good form. Also, just as a personal note, I have developed a lower back pain from being at home, sitting too much..I have determined that a long, long walk every day, respecting physical distancing, is very essential for all of us. Chins up.”
Roger Boyajian
Sevan Travel
The coronavirus crisis has turned Roger Boyajian into a bit of a bookworm.
Boyajian, owner of Toronto’s Sevan Travel, says the “latest calamity” affecting travel has brought business to a near standstill and so he’s spending more time reading.
“I keep busy nowadays reading the books and novels that I intended to for a long time,” says Boyajian, adding he’s also spending time painting and working on his stamp collection.
Boyajian also has something of a green thumb and is looking forward to gardening.
He adds he’s lending a helping hand to some elderly neighbours who have become nervous about venturing outside. He and others shop for the seniors’ essentials and help with their banking.
“The corona virus has a devastating effect on all of us and I pray we will be able to return to our normal life soon,” Boyajian says. “It is affecting our life and sanity. Somebody mentioned about the light at the end of the tunnel and I only hope it is not fire for the sake of the tourism industry and all mankind.”
Paul Nielsen
Paragon Travel Agency Limited
Paul Nielsen has kind words during tough times for this country’s tour operators.
Nielsen, who works for Paragon Travel in the Toronto suburb of East York — says that agency employees have been “handling things for guests trapped overseas, refunds and future credits for those who trusted us, and planting seeds for future business.”
Rudolph Nareen
Astor Travels
Rudolph Nareen expects there will be more appreciation for travel agents when the coronavirus pandemic ends.
Nareen, with Toronto’s Astor Travels, notes agents have been scrambling these days as they deal with cancellations and refunds, and he further warns that some travel agencies may close given the current grim economic state.
But he adds that consumers who bypassed travel agents to book their travel and are now seeking refunds or alternate travel plans may find themselves waiting endlessly on the phone or seeing their emails go unanswered. Those encountering those types of frustrating situations will be more likely to turn to a travel agent the next time they want to see the world, he predicts.
“I think that when this crisis is over, consumers (will be more likely to) look at travel agents as a major source for their travel needs,” he declares.
