Meet Shannon Graves
Looking back on her 23 year career as a leisure travel advisor, Shannon Graves says she wouldn’t change her job for anything. Although it got postponed several times, Graves has been planning a private group to Morocco with G Adventures that’s finally set to depart in the fall. Describing her job as her passion, she’s now as busy with inquiries as she was pre-COVID.
Shannon Graves
Charrisma travel
Shannon has not let the pandemic get her down. She’s done an incredible job promoting travel and working hard to keep G Adventures top of mind with her clients. And no matter how many times she’s had to postpone her G Adventures’ Morocco private group, she’s always knuckled down and worked hard to ensure the booking was saved and confirmed. Third time’s a charm! She knows all this hard work will pay off once her group experiences G Adventures in Morocco. Although there have been so many agents working hard throughout the pandemic, Shannon has kept flying the flag high for travel’s return.
Nominated by:
Ernie Balint
GPS, G ADVENTURES (Formerly)
Tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been in the industry?
I am 47 years old and a mother of two teenagers ages 19 and 17. I have worked in the travel and tourism industry for over 26 years.
Why and how did you decide to become a travel advisor?
I have a diploma in Travel and Resort Operations. I have always loved experiencing and seeing new things. My earlier years I started working in the resort industry. It included bartending and restaurant service to front desk operations to event and conference planning to sales and marketing. I eventually applied for an entry level position as a junior travel advisor in 1999 and was hired and mentored by the owner of a successful agency in Newmarket, Ont. I have been with the same agency now for over 23 years and have loved every minute of it.
What’s your favourite part of being a travel agent?
I love that every client is different, making every sale unique. Everyone has different needs, desires, budgets, and expectations. I love getting to know my client and helping to curate the perfect vacation that meets all their needs and trying to exceed their expectations. I have been booking some of my clients for over 20 years. This has created lasting relationships with many of them and a high referral base.
What got you through the pandemic?
It was a real struggle. I saw a lot of my industry colleagues either let go or laid off. I was fortunate to be able to stay on during the pandemic. Luckily, our office had a great support system in place where our owner/manager recognized that the stress and pressure of the pandemic was ‘real’ and we were supported in every aspect especially with our mental and physical health.
We have since closed our office retail location and work remotely from home now. I am very fortunate to be able to say that my coworkers and I work as a team and that we are very much in tune with one another’s workloads and clients. The light was always in the tunnel… I knew that people would desire to travel more than ever after being so confined and limited as we were the past two years. We are seeing the start of this new wave to come now. I am just as busy now with inquiries as I was pre-COVID.
What trends are you noticing from the bookings you have?
People are paying more and planning earlier. I am seeing a lot of bucket trips being booked with a sense of urgency. I have many big trips already booked for the coming month from Tahiti to Machu Picchu to multi–European Itineraries.
What’s your biggest piece of advice for travel advisors right now?
Now is the time to build that relationship with new and existing clients. The consumer needs you now more than ever. People are very excited and eager to travel again, however, they are also a little nervous and concerned about all the new requirements, unknowns, and the protection of their money. I like to give my clients my personal cell number and tell them I’m always available in case of an emergency. It has helped to create trust and loyalty. If you have wavered on professional service fees, now is the time to introduce them to your clients. Your knowledge and service is so valuable and worth every penny to the client. It has been proven.
Can you share a special travel memory and what travel means to you?
One of my favourite travel memories was hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with my teenagers (aged 14 and 16 at the time). Seeing the sunrise at the Sun Gate on the third day of the trek with Machu Picchu in the distance was something I will never forget.
Travel to me is personal growth. I try to see, do, taste or experience something new on every adventure.
What’s still on your travel must do list?
That is a bottomless list. I am off to Morocco this fall. On the list: Norway, Maldives, Great Wall of China, Nepal… everywhere!
Do you have anything to add?
I would not change my job for anything. 23 years as a leisure travel advisor and I have loved every minute of it. It’s my passion. Travelling is my favourite hobby and I’m fortunate to have also made it my career.
