Barb Mclean
Where were you born? In Toronto.
What was your 1st job? In high school I served customers at a bakery.
How long have you been in the business? Since 1972 when I started at Mazi Travel in Hamilton.
Tell me about your 1st airplane ride. That same year, I went – I think it was on Eastern to Roanoke, Virginia to visit a friend. I remember holding onto the armrest for dear life!
How has the business changed since you got into it? Big changes… When I started the fares were on 3 pieces of coloured paper for Canada, US and Europe. All fares were 14 – 21 days. There were no computers. You could hold options with the tour companies… Lots of changes.
If you could have any job in the business what would it be? What I’m doing!
What was your best FAM? Australia – on my list as long as I could remember and I went in 2009. It was everything I thought it would be and more.
What drives you crazy? Sell-offs.
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? I try to explain to the client that if they’re satisfied with the product and the price let’s just go ahead and book it because you never know, it might be gone tomorrow.
What’s the weirdest question you’ve ever been asked? When I 1st started in Cornwall, a person came in and wanted to know if he could take his 16’ boat with 25 hp motor to Hawaii.
And right at the beginning of my career, a man came into the agency to buy a 1-way ticket to India. On Christmas day, I was watching the news and that same man was arrested in JFK for trying to hijack the flight. The next business day, the FBI and other officials were in the office to interview the staff. Quite the way to start a career!
Do you have any time management strategies? No, I wish I did! Just prioritize the best you can.
How do you cope with jetlag? Not very well! Going is fine. Coming home is harder regardless the direction.
What do you do to keep your clients loyal? Friendly atmosphere. Good service. I’m also involved in the community (Rotary, Quilters’ Guild).
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? “Be honest.”
If you had to spend 6 months in a destination, which one would you pick? Brisbane, Australia, because you have urban life, rural life, it’s easy to sightsee from there and the weather is good.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing? I don’t know. My dream when I retire is to own a quilt store, so perhaps that’s it!
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.
