Meet Neelam Dwivedi
Neelam Dwivedi was studying nursing when she was presented with the opportunity to join the travel industry. After twenty years she doesn’t regret the decision and enjoys all aspects of being a travel professional.
Neelam Dwivedi
Maritime Travel
Neelam is an inspiration to all those around her. She is a leader, motivator, creative and leads by example and throughout these many months continues to shine as one of my top selling advisors. She is passionate about luxury and group travel – and a loyal partner of Uniworld, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold. She is an absolute pleasure to work with. Thank you, Neelam and I look forward to watching your continued success in the future.
Nominated by:
Paula Rizos
District Sales Manager BC & Yukon, TTC Tour Brands
Tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been in the industry?
I have been in the travel industry for 20 years. I have been married to my wonderful husband Pete for 17 years, and we thoroughly enjoy travelling and exploring the world together with my clients.
Why and how did you decide to become a travel advisor?
I have always had a strong desire for travelling to new places and experiencing new cultures. I was studying nursing when I was given the opportunity to join the travel industry, which I welcomed without any hesitation. Twenty years later I still thoroughly enjoy all aspects of being a travel professional.
What’s your favourite part of being a travel agent?
My favourite part of being a travel agent is truly the passion I have towards my job and the positive engagement and collaborative working relationships I have developed with my clients over the years. I am very focused on customer service; therefore, I love to take the time to get to know my customers, their needs and budget so that I can help them arrange the best vacation possible. I truly enjoy adding my personal touch by offering a wealth of experience with tips and insider knowledge to help plan their dream vacations. Whether it’s a wedding or honeymoon package to the South Pacific, River Cruising in Europe, a family vacation to Mexico, tailoring a package to the Mediterranean, adventure travel or escorting luxury groups, my goal is to always exceed my clients’ expectations. Receiving commendations from clients and the referrals they generate are amongst the most satisfying and rewarding parts of my job.
What got you through the pandemic?
There were several things that helped me get through the pandemic:
- Firstly, Maritime Travel is very focused on employee engagement, therefore during this challenging time we continued with our virtual weekly meetings and communications. Keeping in close contact with my team and colleagues, whether it was virtually or picking up the phone, being one another’s support system, and continuously reminding each other that we all are in this together, helped me stay focused and was comforting knowing that we all will get through this eventually.
- I also took some time for myself to enjoy nature, go for walks, spend time with my husband and remotely spent as much time as possible with my family and friends in Australia & New Zealand.
- My clients played a big role in this. I’m an optimist, a planner with forward thinking, and I’m passionate about what I do; therefore, I have been in constant touch with my clients, not only to sort out their cancellations but to just be there for them, listening to their concerns with a positive attitude. There were many difficult days; however, they knew that they could reach out to me and vent if required. Receiving comments on having made their day, or having made them feel better couldn’t have been more rewarding for me.
- I also used this time to my advantage by asking my clients where they would like to travel next. Based on their feedback, I have created new luxury groups from now until 2024 which I will be escorting to Dubai, Jordan, Egypt & Japan and have rebooked my 2020 group to Spain and Portugal. All are almost sold out. I did this to be proactive so I could completely focus on new business when travel returns.
- Customizing groups to new destinations is always exciting where a lot of research is involved. Not only did it keep me occupied mentally but was satisfying to have given my clients hope and something new and exciting to look forward to.
What trends are you noticing from the bookings you have?
I have bookings all the way into 2024. Clients are eager to travel and many countries are easing off or completely lifting all travel restrictions which is making the future look brighter.
What’s your biggest piece of advice for travel advisors right now?
Let’s continue with our positivity while the world awaits better and brighter days, and let’s rise together, and dream about them.
Can you share a special travel memory and what travel means to you?
Each and every trip I have been on or have escorted have all been trips of a lifetime with very special experiences and beautiful memories to share. Some of which include: spending a week on a private yacht with my husband Pete in the Galapagos Islands while we experienced the unique wildlife and snorkelled with sharks, sea lions and sea turtles, being a teacher for the day at a local school in Cambodia, exploring parts of the 200km long Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam, taking an authentic cooking class in Saigon, experiencing the breathtaking rock formations of Halong Bay, visiting monasteries while participating in alms giving rituals and exploring the ancient majestic pagodas of Myanmar, and visiting Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable Lake in the world. I have experienced many wonders of the World and Heritage sites including Machu Picchu, the Taj Mahal, and Angkor Wat, to name just a few.
Travel to me means engaging with local people in new destinations to truly receive an authentic perception of traditions, food and culture as seen through their eyes.
What’s still on your travel must do list?
All the places I will currently be escorting my groups to: Spain, Portugal, Dubai, Jordan, Egypt , Japan and many more.
Do you have anything to add?
I am truly honoured and grateful to have been featured in this publication. Thank you to whomever has nominated me and congratulations to all other agents included.
