How long have you been in the business? 12 years.
How has the business changed since you got into it? People are more savvy about where they want to travel, expanding beyond the cheap and cheerful 3 stars in Cuba. Also there’s more selection.
Do you have a specialty? Caribbean, honeymoons, groups, Mexico – all inclusives. That’s where we specialize. These days I’m selling a lot of Punta Cana.
If you could have any job in the business what would it be? A product buyer for a tour operator.
What was your best FAM? To Cuba when I first got into the industry and I was 21. It left its mark - we visited a lot of hotels and I can still say I know all about Varadero!
What drives you crazy? (Laughs) Indecisiveness!
If you could have a secret weapon what would it be? To be able to read peoples’ minds.
What was your biggest individual sale? An Abercrombie and Kent tour to Africa, about $9,000.
Do you have a magic sentence to close the sale? “Space is limited, let’s go ahead and grab that!” It always helps to tell people there’s 7 seats left.
Do you have any time management strategies? No! But I do try to achieve everything on one call, getting all the details.
How do you cope with jet lag? I don’t get it – I’m a bit of a night owl and I’m usually up til 2 am and awake at 8 am.
What do you do to keep your clients loyal? Send emails when they got back and ask them hold on to my email address for future travel.
How would your clients describe you? Knowledgeable.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received? “Marry someone who loves you more.” And I think I might have!
If you had to spend six months in a destination, which one would you pick? Italy, definitely.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing? Probably buying real estate and flipping properties in Toronto.
