Tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been in the industry? What do you specialize in and why?
Incredible how time flies, 2025, wow. I’m looking back to 1981 when this little 18-year-old Acadian boy moved from New Brunswick to Toronto all by himself with no friends or family to embark on this new big endless adventure that’s called the travel industry. After Humber College, in 1983, I started full time in the travel industry and never looked back. It’s been an incredible 42 years.I started out with New Brunswick tourism. I started my career as a travel advisor in Fredericton for a few years. Then I returned to Toronto again in ‘86 to work for British Airways as a bilingual res agent. ‘86 was another turning point with the Chernobyl days, which threw the whole world of travel into a major tailspin, which sent me into the retail world again. I’ve worked as a corporate travel planner for years and with time, by knowing all my clients so well, I started planning their personal holidays. Eventually became a fulltime leisure travel advisor and never looked back as that’s where my heart is. The best way to explain why leisure travel is, this is where I get the most satisfaction from. If I look at myself, it’s what makes me who I am. On a daily basis, it’s like my inner soul is a constant spinning globe. When I plan holidays for my clients, part of my soul goes with them as I get totally invested. Everyone who knows me will agree.
I recently read a study that women above the age of 50 will drive $746 billion in travel spending by 2035 – coming in right after millennials. Does that align with your clientele? What’s the age of the majority of your clients?
Totally, I find the large majority of the purchasing power at the moment, and it’s changing very fast, is women I would say age 45 plus. Overall, I find women way more organized, much better at multi-tasking and quick decision makers in this fast-moving new world we’re currently in. We have to embrace it, work hand-in-hand, respect their time, knowledge and you’re set to go.
Are you noticing any interesting trends from the bookings you have? Are your clients still travelling to the U.S. with the ongoing tariffs?
Let me start with the USA… travelling to the U.S. I would say no. With all of what is currently going on, it’s not a good thing. And I don’t see Canadians forgetting anytime soon the way things are being handled. Like I said lately, here’s the proof that we don’t need to vacation next door to enjoy life. There’s a big world out there to explore and they will welcome Canadians with open arms. This is where our job becomes very interesting, it’s up to us to educate our clients of the new trends.
Trends, I find it all depends on the age group. But overall, there is more interest in off-the-beaten-path and exploration travel. In the last few years as some very popular destinations were taken off the allowed travel list, this in turn opened up destinations like Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, Botswana, Namibia, Uganda and some already popular European countries just boomed, for example, Greece, Portugal, Ireland and Scotland.
Another market that I see changing fast is small ship cruising, river and barge cruises. People want to cruise on ships that have less than 200 passengers. Again, cruising to the unbeaten paths of South-East Asia, Amazon cruises, African rivers, exploring small European rivers of France, Portugal, Uk, Ireland, northern Italy, etc.
What’s your biggest piece of advice for travel advisors right now?
Here are my thoughts to new travel advisors:
- A very important advice I would say, but it’s hard to do these days as it’s constantly changing so fast all the time. It’s to do your best to keep current on world affairs. Because as we all know, one little event can throw all your travel plans into the unknown. It’s like the saying, “when you don’t expect it, expect it!”
- Also, every client is a customer… but beyond that, take the time to really get to know them on a personal level as with time you will reach a moment in their lives that you’ll have to show them empathy. This is where your client and yourself will realize that it’s not only about money, it’s beyond that, it’s the human touch that money can’t buy…
Tell us a little bit about a booking that stands out – whether it’s the most expensive, the longest, the most adventurous, etc.
In 1988, now 37 years ago, a lady came into my office and explained who she was, etc. But her line was, “If you treat me well, I promise I will become one of your best clients.” As her goal was to see every island of the world before she died. Not only did she become one of my top clients, year-after-year, but also became a good friend. Sadly, I just found out she left us peacefully in her sleep a few weeks ago. But what a travel life she had. Approximately 10 years ago, she was then in her early ‘70s going by herself for a two-months journey all through the South Pacific, you name it, she went, lots of remote Tahitian islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands & Easter island. Loved it so much, she went again the following year, but this time she even went on a Container cruise ship for a few weeks going around the Tahitian islands again where she could really appreciate the remote Tahitian population. She never took pictures, she said, I will keep all those beautiful memories, experiences and special feelings in my heart till I die. She really lived in the moment and took in what was really important to her, nature at its best. A client/friend like this is irreplaceable. As I look up, I say thank you for coming into my life and enriching it with beautiful simple teaching of friendship. She will be missed.
What are your thoughts on FAM trips? Are they valuable? Why? Do they help you sell more? How can they be improved?
Yes, I’m all for good FAMs. I think small, specialized tourism FAMs and good quality hotels are the best. It’s best when we really get immersed in a destination that hopefully will capture our heart. Coming home, clients will realize the excitement we took in and brought home with us, this will turn into sales. I know for myself my clients appreciate my recent personal experiences and knowledge, it goes a long way. It’s the art of delivering a destination with a wow factor that sells.
What’s the biggest challenge you are facing in the travel industry right now? What do you think can be done to help it?
Speaking for myself and I’m sure lots of other advisors out there. It’s airlines’ ancillary services. I could go on and on about this subject. But with all the non-commissionable airlines, they need to stop relying on the travel advisors to sell their non commissionable add-ons. Our time is money, we all have to come up with a plan to be paid for our time worked on their behalf. These volunteer hours need to stop.
Nominator:
LeoPaul, or LP as we call him, is a veteran of this industry with an illustrious travel career. LeoPaul is the consummate agent. He embodies the definition consummate, showing a high degree of skill and flair; complete or perfect! LP is always learning and growing and has never faltered in his almost 40 years in the travel business. He has seen the highs and the lows of the travel industry. Handwriting tickets and calculating fares to commission caps, supplier failures, 9/11, SARS, financial meltdowns, volcanos, earthquakes and COVID. LP has seen it all and has always been there to assure, comfort and console his clients, many of which are now close friends. That’s the LP we know and love. He always has his client’s best interest at heart and works tirelessly to ensure every person feels that special something that only LP has. LP is well known in the industry by fellow agents, hoteliers, suppliers and vendors. His enthusiasm and quest for knowledge and engagement is extraordinary. In an age of virtual, digital and email, LP loves nothing more than seeing, speaking and greeting people in person. He cares… he really does care about people and has such an inquisitive and inquiring mind that draws people in.
He has more knowledge than anyone I know in this business – in fact he’s my travel agent. I wouldn’t book anything unless I run it by him because he just knows. He truly deserves recognition. He’s earned it and his enthusiasm and dedication is an intrinsic part of his character and personality. Many people that might see and read this would know him and agree. He’s the travel advisor’s travel advisor and we think he’s amazing!
