Ann Ruppenstein Welcome to our annual Travel Agent Appreciation combined issue of Travel Courier and Canadian Travel Press. Since 2016, we’ve been highlighting some of the remarkable travel advisors across the industry in Canada for this special edition. This year, we received an impressive amount...
Travel advisors make the most out of a challenging time By: Ann Rupppenstein Igniting a spark Feeling “dead in the water” during the pandemic as no trips were being booked and clients were staying close to home, Jane and Jason Beck filled the void by starting a travel YouTube channel. “We...
The Cuba Tourist Board believes a great picture of a great tourist destination is worth a 1,000 words. And so the board decided to show appreciation to travel agents on Travel Agent Day with a photo contest that has agents submit pictures they took while in Cuba for consideration for prizes. “On...
The Jamaica Tourist Board believes it has a picture-perfect way to mark Travel Agent Day on May 5. The board is saluting agents by partnering with caricature artist Cesar Vargas. Over the past month Toronto-based Vargas designed customized illustrations for travel advisors, in a manner that has the caricatures...
Meet Erin Kemp Erin Kemp knew she’d be part of the travel industry growing up going to work with her mom Sheila, who founded Kemp Travel Group. Kemp joined the family business 11 years ago and is now a co-owner. Erin Kemp co-owner and travel advisor, Kemp Travel Group, Bowmanville, Ont. ...
Meet Sandy Lidka Sandy Lidka has been in the travel industry for more than a quarter of a century. The co-founder and owner of successful bricks and mortar agency Further Afield Travel and Tours developed a passion for travelling at the age of 15 when she went to Finland to play hockey. Sandy Lidka...
Meet Jane & Jason Beck As travel restrictions set in, Jane and Jason Beck launched a travel YouTube channel as a means of engagement and to raise spirits. The TPI advisors hope to film in international locations someday and also revamped their website to gear up for the comeback. Jane & Jason...
Meet Brenda Dohlen Brenda Dohlen has been a travel advisor for 30 years. Dohlen caught the travel bug while on a gap year from college, travelling around Europe for six months through 15 countries. Brenda Dohlen Invermere Travel World, Invermere, BC One of my last pre-COVID travel talk presentations...
Meet Shalene Dudley During the pandemic Shalene Dudley not only focussed on growing and revamping her travel agency, but also on dedicating time to leading important discussions on racism and prejudice in the travel and tourism sector through the grassroots organization Let’s Get Uncomfortable. ...
Meet Tara Sparshu After high school Tara Sparshu headed to university to study accounting before making the switch to travel and tourism. She’s now been in the industry for 18 years and can be found representing her home team when she travels. #OilersAroundtheWorld Tara Sparshu TierOne Travel,...
