Here’s a travel advisor who has found her perfect niche: Kim Cuthbertson at Pure Magic Vacations in Guelph, Ont.
Where were you born? Milton, ON.
What was your first job? When I was a teenager I worked during apple season as a cashier at Chudleigh’s pick-your-own apple orchard in Milton.
How long have you been in the business? It will be five years this summer. I was helping a lot of my friends plan their vacations anyway, so I contacted Carolyn Williams, my boss here at Pure Magic Vacations, then did my training and TICO certification and here I am!
Tell me about your first airplane ride. I was 5, and my nana took us to Disney World. That’s where my love for Disney came from! I’ve now been to the parks and on cruises in total a couple of dozen times.
Why are you so happy to specialize in Disney? It’s such a fabulous family destination. I really believe in the company and feel confident my clients will make amazing memories.
If you could have any job in the business what would it be? It would be nice to work in Florida or somewhere warmer! But I’m pretty happy where I am.
What was your best fam? This past January a group from our agency went to Disney World – we are all home-based so it was nice to spend time with my colleagues.
What drives you crazy? When people have been given a lot of misinformation or outdated information from someone who went to Disney 10 years ago. That drives me crazy.
What’s the first thing you do when you get into a hotel room? I take a picture or a short video, then check out the view.
Do you have any time management strategies? I time-block. I’ll take an hour to work on new quotes, or 15 minutes to update my Facebook -- or block an hour when I’m with my kids and I won’t look at my phone. It wasn’t easy at first but really helps me focus.
What do you do to keep your clients loyal? I find it’s really about relationships. I learn about them and contact them when they get back to make it a personal. I become friends with a lot of my clients. And yes I get a lot of repeat bookings to Disney, many who go annually!
If you had to spend six months in a destination, which one would you pick? I’d love to stay at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas – even though no one lives there. It’s just paradise!
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing? I can’t imagine not doing what I’m doing. One day when my kids are older it might be nice to work in a destination.
If you or someone you know is a front line travel agent in Canada and would like to be featured in Biting Questions, please contact us.
