Amanda Clarke
Robert Q Travel, Woodstock, Ont.
“She’s one of the most pro-active agents I know. Her positive energy is contagious. Her list of marketing efforts is long. She doesn’t wait for the business to come to her. For instance, she started an annual consumer event called “Bucket Lists and Brews” at a Woodstock micro brewery. So creative. Her presence on social media is also very creative. She’s a pleasure to work with.”
Aubrey Schmidt
Business Development Manager, Goway Travel
Meet Amanda Clarke
Tell us a little bit about yourself, how long you’ve been in the industry and what made you want to become a travel agent?
This year marks my 12th year in the industry and always as an agent. Growing up my grandparents travelled a lot all over the world and I loved hearing about the places they had been. They had made friends around the world on their travels and I think they played a great role in teaching me the value of travel and how it can enrich your life. So I credit them for giving me the travel bug.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
My favourite part of being an agent is the people. Clients who I have built relationships with play a large part in the fulfillment of my purpose. Being able to help people see the world, do it with less stress, more value and giving them peace of mind while they are travelling. And of course, the people I have met along the way — industry reps, other inspiring agents who have turned into really great friends and the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and learn a little from each of them.
How has travel impacted your own life?
I believe that with every trip travel changes me. It has opened my mind and shown me what a small space that we occupy in the world and that there is so much to learn and explore. I love that through travel I have learned about people and different lifestyles, new foods and experiences that have enriched my life. Travel has impacted my life in such a positive way that I want to share that with as many people as possible. I believe that travel has truly made me a much more empathetic person. It has grown my understanding and acceptance of people — in terms of how differently people accept changes when they occur and how differently they share their excitement or challenges they have faced on their trips.
How are you coping in this crazy COVID-19 world? What are you focusing on right now?
I have simply treated this day by day. It has been a big learning curve. Keeping up with policies that changed faster than we could simply stay on top of but did our best to keep clients informed of their options. Right now my focus is to stay top of mind with my clients and planning ahead for 2021. I’m looking at this as an opportunity to work on my personal business strategies, showing up everyday and continuing to inspire people to manifest those travel dreams while we wait for the green light to travel again.
Prior to all this, what were some of the big trends you were noticing in travel or that your clients were looking for from a getaway?
Prior to this, I was really starting to notice bucket list travel trending and not just from the Baby Boomers. I was crossing paths with families, young couples and friends looking to take a dream vacation. There are lots of adventurers out there wanting to travel. A good share of requests I get are to see the highlights of a destination but I have definitely noticed an increase in more requests to see off the beaten path or something that particularly interests that client. I find throughout the winter seasons with a lot of requests for all-inclusive travel a majority of people want great food and a nice beach and/or pools.
Have you had any interesting or strange requests from clients?
I’ve had the request to sit in the safest location on an aircraft a few times.
How many countries have you been to and where would you like to go next when we can travel again?
I have been to 11 countries thus far. I was set to do a river cruise this coming fall on the Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam so I’m going to keep my sights set on seeing that dream trip come true. I’ll also be very ready for a dose of sunshine anywhere in the Caribbean when we get that go ahead once again on travel.
What’s a big misconception people have about travel agents?
I think a big misconception about travel agents is that people think they don’t need us. In fact — I think people need us now more than ever. There is overwhelming information available at everyone’s finger tip. This is what we do. We navigate and educate constantly on all things travel. We know where the resources are, how to use them and find the answers to numerous questions. It’s what we as travel agents are trained to do. How to obtain a visa for a certain country? What’s the height restriction on the waterslides? What does my travel insurance cover me for? A great travel agent adds unwavering peace of mind to your travel.
Do you have anything to add?
I think in this time of uncertainty that it’s a great time to reflect on where you have been, how those trips have changed your life and the value that travel holds in your life. I am ever so grateful to have been able to experience what I have of this world so far and look forward to the day we can start making our dreams travel again.
