TAKING OFF
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ‘ DREAM BIG AND WORK HARD ’
ASTA ’ s 2023 Travel Advisor of the Year shares her insights on what it takes to find success in the industry .
WORDS / CODIE LIERMANN
Last year at ASTA ’ s annual conference , Dr . Terika L . Haynes , CEO and founder of Dynamite Travel , was named the 2023 ASTA Travel Advisor of the Year .
“ Being named the 2023 ASTA Travel Advisor of the Year has been life changing ,” Haynes said . “ Winning the award shortly after COVID was confirmation for me . If I would have given up as an advisor and given up on the travel industry , I would not have won this award . The award means that I ’ m exactly where I need to be and everything that I ’ ve gone through up to this point was for this exact season .”
Taking home this title is no doubt something to be proud of , and it certainly signifies a lot of hard work behind the scenes . Let ’ s take a look back at what set the stage and led Haynes down the path of success .
Haynes joined the exciting world of travel in 2008 and worked as a part-time travel advisor while also holding a full-time job as a college professor . In 2017 , she transitioned to working as a full-time travel advisor . “ I ’ ve always had a passion for travel and decided to act on it by servicing and educating others so that they could experience a passion similar to mine ,” Haynes said , adding that helping her clients experience new things is one of her favorite parts of the job . “ Whether it be a first time traveling together as a couple or a family or a first time traveling to a new country , I love being the trusted connector between the client and a new experience .”
A few years before even taking the leap to work as a full-time advisor , Haynes ’ travel business was already starting to take off , and social media marketing played a huge factor in this success , especially Twitter . Her business continued to accelerate as she began working full time , explaining that the extra time spent listening to the demands of the market and sharpening her skills aided in her growth .
Another facet that aids in her success is traveling . Haynes believes traveling is a crucial aspect for advisors , and it leads to
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DR . TERIKA L . HAYNES
Dr . Terika L . Haynes
Haynes explores Antarctica , her 6th continent .
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