Where
were you born? In Montreal – the South Shore.
What
was your 1st job? At Standard Life in
Montreal, in the property investment department. I worked for the solicitors, doing
clerical and reporting.
How
long have you been in the business? Before becoming
an agent I worked as an executive assistant and booking travel was part of my
job. I’ve been a full time agent since 2008.
Tell
us about your 1st flight. I remember it
like yesterday: I was 8 and we flew down to Tampa - on a DC9. Now you know my
age!
How
has the business changed since you got into it? The
internet! Even my best friend thinks she can do it herself better than a travel
agent. People don’t realize the amount of research you are doing, constantly
researching.
Do
you have a specialty? Destination weddings. I find Mexico
works really well and Jamaica is so nice.
If
you could have any job in the business what would it be? An adventure travel tour guide. I’d love that – I’m an outdoor
person.
What
was your best FAM? The Jamaican Tourist Board
provides fantastic FAMs. Last September I went on one which included the JPEX trade
show and Sandals hosted a trip to their private island. Fabulous and so
exciting.
What
drives you crazy? When you work so hard to get a
quote and they decide not to have a destination wedding after all.
What
was your biggest wedding group? 100 from across
Canada to Cancun.
What’s
the 1st thing you do when you get into a hotel room? I take pictures – before the room is too messy! - and go onto the
balcony and check out the view.
Do
you have a magic sentence to close the sale? “I’m
looking forward to working with you and making this special celebration a
memorable one.”
What’s
the weirdest question you’ve ever been asked? I
often find that people don’t understand transfers. They think that there are
people who pick them up from their house.
But, to be fair to them, you have to put yourself in their shoes.
Do
you have any time management strategies? I write a
lot down. I’m a perfectionist.
What’s
the best piece of advice you ever received? “Listen.”
If
you had to spend 6 months in a destination, which one would you pick? That would be a toss-up
between Belize and Costa Rica.
If
you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing? I
would probably be kayaking!
If
you or someone you know who is a front line travel agent in Canada would like
to be featured in Up Front, please e-mail martha@gk.openjaw.xyz
