I have been in this incredible industry for 28 years this August.
This career path was literally the only one that interested and inspired me. I could not think of doing anything else.
I am a dreamer with a rather large imagination so I love listening to my clients’ visions of what they would like and then I then take it to the next level. It is thrilling and it means a lot to me. I love that there is so much beauty to explore and experience in this world and I want my clients, and myself to take part in this.
Schedule changes and cancellations. I hate anyone being disappointed.
You need to have an imagination and thick skin. Make sure you know who all the main players in the game are ex. tour operators – what and where they offer — and never stop learning.
Yes, and more than ever. People are also now brave enough to venture to places that were not necessarily in their comfort zones. Ie. instead of their perfect 5-star all inclusive, they are now taking an African safari or an expedition cruise to Antarctica.
I think the public is realizing that anyone can book online but only a travel professional can tell you if you have made the right decision or not. A travel agent can point out that a different destination for the same price is much better suited for you or for a few hundred dollars more you can really make your family vacation a vacation to top all vacations. We know travel insurance inside and out and we always have the client’s best interest at heart. We know the best value for your money and if anything goes “array” with airlines etc. then we have your back to make it right. Booking International trips must be done right and no one knows booking these big trips better than us.
I have clients of all ages but the average is around 55-65.
When the pandemic happened I had to cancel a European trip my family and I were booked to go on. During lock down, I said to my 16 year old son “Jack, pick any place in the world that you want to go to and put together sites and attractions that you want to see and find a beautiful place for us to stay at” He did this with a huge amount of enthusiasm and after fine tuning a few things, My husband Bob, son Jack and myself took the most incredible trip to Scotland. Almost a year later, we are still reminiscing about this family holiday.
I focus a lot on luxury travel and I have recently booked an around the world cruise for $70,000.
I strongly stand behind fees. We have an incredible fee called “The Plan to Go” fee. This is a fee we have at Caa that if a client comes to us with no idea of what they want or no idea where they wish to go to we have a lovely conversation about what they envision, what the budget is and what makes them happy and from there we research and give them three to four options. Once they book and pay in full it is then fully refunded. This avoids those that just want to pick a professional’s mind and get ideas to book themselves and it also compensates us for our time and expertise to find the perfect fit for them.
The travel industry is quite literally the best industry in the world. We are selling dreams to people and giving them and their families lifelong memories to cherish.
