Anne Frank
Where were you born? In Kapuskasing, ON. Way up north!
What was your 1st job? A clerk at what used to be Woolworths.
How long have you been in the business? 20 years, if you don’t count 10 years away for the kids to grow up.
Tell me about your 1st airplane ride. With Wardair. The fine china, the linen, the full meal. That was probably my best flight ever too, looking back now!
How has the business changed since you got into it? Clients are a lot more knowledgeable, doing research on the Internet, so that’s kind of a bonus for us. And the Internet is a huge help for us too!
Do you have a specialty? River cruising – I find the Danube and Rhine are the most popular - and I sell a lot of Holland America.
If you could have any job in the business what would it be? I love the job I have! We come to work and get to send people to all these exotic places.
What was your best FAM? China – the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors, so memorable.
What drives you crazy? Paperwork!
What was your biggest individual sale? An Australia/New Zealand 30 day trip – and this was 10 years ago - $25,000.
What’s the 1st thing you do when you get into a hotel room? Check out the bathroom.
Do you have a magic sentence to close the sale? “This is the trip for you!”
Do you have any time management strategies? My main concern is to get back to people in a timely fashion, the paperwork can always wait.
How do you cope with jetlag? I drink a lot of fluids, stay away from alcohol and go to bed at the local time.
What do you do to keep you clients loyal? I call them just before travel to see if they have any questions now or during the trip. I follow up after their return and I’m there for them 24/7. For me, it’s all about their trip, not about the sale.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received? “When you travel, put half your belongings in each other’s luggage. That way if a bag goes missing you won’t be stuck.”
If you had to spend 6 months in a destination, which one would you pick? Oh, I have to close my eyes for this one. I think…Australia. I’ve never been and there’s so much to do. Definitely on my bucket list!
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing? I think I would have been a school teacher.
If you or someone you know is a front line travel agent in Canada and would like to be featured in Up Front, please email martha@gk.openjaw.xyz.
