Coping during COVID-19
This week Travel Courier checks in with Theresa Stephenson of TK Travel By Design, who has been in the travel industry for 25 years, with 18 years on the wholesale side and seven years on the retail side.
Let's start on the bright side. What's giving you hope for the future?
What’s giving me the hope for the future is the vaccine that is now ready and in process I am very happy. I really commend our Canadian government for their hard work that they put forth to helping their people. Most hopeful as an agent that everyone will not put off experiencing the joy of travel! Complete that ‘bucket list’!
We’ve now reached the one-year mark of the pandemic and travel restrictions. What has it been like being a travel advisor during this challenging time?
As a travel advisor it’s been very discouraging at times and with the uncertainty of when this travel ban will be over. To be honest, I thought we would have been back to ‘normal’ from last year, I never thought it would have been this long. As with most of us in this industry, we have had to be creative in order to continue to be financially stable. Many of us have had to find alternate means of income, and I hope the industry does not suffer as a result. I believe when booking your vacation, the travel agent is an important part of that.
“What I am focusing on now is being able to market travel within Canada, such as Nova Scotia and Calgary. I believe in creating a new market that was well needed for the growth of my business for continued success. Unfortunately, my current booking situation is obviously not as it was. For the last five-seven years in this industry, I have done exceedingly well. Especially in growing my group travel business. I will continue to focus on what new trends might arise from the future of travel. I feel great things are coming my way in the future.”
Theresa Stephenson
What do you miss most about travelling?
What I miss the most about travelling is not being able to experience new destinations for my clients. For me personally, to exhale and rejuvenate when I’m away. Also spending time with my family and BFF that I usually travel with every year.
How have you shifted strategies during the pandemic?
My strategy has shifted by continuing to update my travellers on social media such as my Instagram and Facebook pages, by keeping them aware of all the changes and restrictions in this industry now. Always sharing encouragement, that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
What are you focusing on right now? Are any bookings coming in?
What I am focusing on now is being able to market travel within Canada such as Nova Scotia and Calgary. I believe in creating a new market that was well needed for the growth of my business for continued success. Unfortunately, my current booking situation is obviously not as it was. For the last five-seven years in this industry, I have done exceedingly well. Especially in growing my group travel business. I will continue to focus on what new trends might arise from the future of travel. I feel great things are coming my way in the future.
Since the pandemic hit, it seems that more people have seen the value of using a travel agent firsthand. How can advisors take advantage of this?
Yes, people might now understand how important we are with all the handling of the cancellations and working on their behalf for full refunds where applicable. However, you will still have customers who continue booking online for ‘deals’. We can always continue to promote in many ways the advantages of using a knowledgeable travel advisor.
How long have you been in the industry and what are some of your secrets to success?
I have been in the travel industry over 20 with 18 years on the wholesale side and now seven years on the retail side. I believe that my success is, I try to do my best for each client that I service. I want the best experience for each of them, and I am known to go ‘above and beyond’ what might consider necessary to create a great travel experience.
What do you think is standing in the way of recovery?
More innovative ways to protect my customers. We can try to be more patient with the process. I want many more years to travel, so if this is what has to be done.. I have to respect the decisions being made. That is hard to do, I’m fully aware, but to be honest I think things are falling into place nicely after looking back now I believe we all can say it was a nice reset button for us to slow down and see what we value more especially our families and friends
Do you have anything to add?
I am ready to start travelling again!
