CTIE , president of The Travel Institute in Massachusetts
How many years have you been in the industry ? I got my start in the early 1990s , so almost 30 years .
Tell me how you got started , and why you wanted to work in travel . When I moved to Chicago , I needed to find a new career . I was in a position to ask myself what might be the most exciting and make me the happiest — and it was travel . I interviewed with a local travel agency and I started selling corporate travel , and then I got a meeting and planning designation , eventually moving into a position where I was serving travel agents . And I loved it . I have such intense respect for agents and I ’ m very passionate about their education .
More and more women are now filling leadership positions in the travel industry . What do you make of this change ? Things have really changed for women in just one generation . Role models are changing , including in the corporate environment . I think that some of the things that have been happening at home — shifting gender roles and more equality — are also playing out in the workplace .
What wisdom can you offer to other women in travel ? A love of travel is crucial , but it ’ s important to understand that this business is more than that . You have to focus on the skills required to do the job , particularly selling . Sometimes selling gets a bad rap , but in this industry we ’ re trying to sell something fabulous , so learn to love it ! It gives you a chance to share your knowledge and expertise .
Do you have any predictions for the future of travel ? I don ’ t have a crystal ball , but I do think the industry will see more independent contractors — particularly those who have another source of income and will be able to weather any storms very well . I also think we ’ re going to be seeing a lot of pent-up demand , so the industry will need to ramp up very quickly in response . The IC demographic will continue to grow . The pandemic accelerated that process due to the need to cut costs and be more efficient at selling travel , combined with a strong need to focus on the client . We can also see that advisors are now risk navigators who need to absorb the mountain of data that comes into their inbox , and distill it down to something that is real and applicable to each client .
Where are you traveling next ? If I take that literally , it will most likely be a destination nearby for a long weekend to relax , be outdoors and near the ocean . I just love animals , so a safari is the next thing on my bucket list . I ’ ve heard so many wonderful things about the connection you feel to nature . It is ironic because a dear friend of mine , who is an IC , was just talking about an African safari group she is putting together for 2022 and it is already sold out … so you see ? I ’ m not the only one with that desire !
VOLODYMYR BURDIAK / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM
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