Raj Pahwa
Where were you born? In India. I came to Canada in 1989.
What was your 1st job? At Town & Country clothing.
How long have you been in the business? Since September 10, 2001 – the day before 9/11. We bought a franchise of Marlin Travel within Walmart and have owned Destination Weddings since 2012.
Tell me about your 1st airplane ride. I have my private pilot’s licence from India and those training flights were my 1st experience of flying.
How has the business changed since you got into it? Totally upside down now! Because of the Internet, it’s so much different.
Do you have a specialty? Weddings, because I’m into fantasy and I love doing things differently. My 1st year, I booked 40 weddings out of our agency in Walmart. Half of my calls are for Indian weddings - not less than 100 people!
If you could have any job in the business what would it be? I would really love to be a destination wedding expert, training agents on how to handle these bookings.
What was your best FAM? My 1st, which was a wedding planners’ FAM to Barcelo Riviera Maya Palace. That’s when I started diverting my business.
What drives you crazy? Nothing! It’s not easy dealing with a bride, but I’m very stable.
What was your biggest wedding? 160 guests to the Riviera Maya. About $250,000.
What’s the 1st thing you do when you get into a hotel room? Once, I was really freaked out by some little lizards. So I check the room and then take pictures.
What’s the weirdest question you’ve ever been asked? Actually, “Why did you get into travel?” Because for 13 years, before getting into the industry, I was the top producer for Toronto Star subscription sales.
Do you have any time management strategies? I’m pretty organized, but I work 16, 17 hours a day.
How do you cope with jetlag? I’m tough!
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received? My father was in the air force and he used to say you can accomplish whatever you set your sights on.
If you had to spend 6 months in a destination, which one would you pick? Greece, because I love it. If not Greece, it would be St. Lucia.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing? I desperately wanted to be a commercial pilot and never got there. But my son is one!
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.
