by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 10:45 AM ET, Mon November 20, 2023
Gratitude and thankfulness are in the name of Thanksgiving, our beloved holiday often centered around quality time and feasting.
Yet thankfulness and gratitude are often the easiest things to overlook, when people are often so busy focusing on their feasts and preparing for the Christmas ahead that they lose sight of the present, the spirit of the holiday itself: an opportunity to consider what they’re grateful for this year.
We asked travel advisors across the nation what they’re thankful for this year. From good business, unhampered by pandemic-era restrictions and fears, to their families or colleagues, travel advisors have a lot to be thankful for.
What are you thankful for this year?
Sydne Stubbs, Travel Advisor with Those Who Wander Travel
“This year I have been extra thankful for my clients. I try my best to get to know each of my clients personally, rather than it being a business transaction — which in turn gives me new friendships that continue to grow and blossom. When you treat your clients like they are family, they share your information with their friends and family, which in turn is what has helped my business to be so successful! Oh, and I'm so so thankful for my husband and sweet dog!”
Scott Lara, President of MilitaryFares.com
“I'm most thankful for my two grandsons and a baby granddaughter who will be here in January. Sharing my passion for travel with my grandkids is one of the greatest joys of my life! My grandsons enjoyed a cruise with my wife and I this past August and they are hooked! I'm looking forward to taking them to an all-inclusive resort in 2024!”
Mary Beth Lynn, Owner of Your Vacation Plan
“I'm so thankful to work in an industry I love with my amazing team of agents and assistants! The travel industry feels more like family than anything else, and I'm so grateful that so many colleagues have turned into amazing friends!”
Brittany Placek, Travel Advisor, Those Who Wander Travel
“I am most grateful for my relationships with suppliers and continuing to grow my business with the help of our suppliers. Without their expertise and wealth of knowledge it would be a challenge to provide such an outstanding service to my clients. I am also grateful for our team who works cohesively to ensure our clients receive the best service possible!”
A woman practices gratitude in the mountains. (Photo Credit: Igor Alecsander / E+ / Getty Images Plus)
Michele Lindsay, Owner of Blue Pointe Travel
“I am very thankful for my clients who continue to refer me to their friends and family. Building any small business can be a challenge. However, I firmly believe that developing relationships with a core group of your ideal clients is the best way to grow! Those clients will share their positive experiences and you can expand your business with solid referrals and happy repeat clients.”
Mark Hennigan, Co-Owner of Dreamers Travel
“The normal standard reply is to be blessed and thankful for family, friends, and our health. I am blessed with the people who have changed their lives or made a difference to their lives and their health by taking it more seriously and scheduling annual check-ups after our 30-year-old son passed away in his sleep on May 31, 2022. Our annual message to family and friends is to schedule an annual check, and the responses from these folks have been so inspiring and humbling to my wife and I. So a blessing for me this year is, if you schedule your annual check up, that would touch our hearts. If we can impact just one person a year, we are making progress, cheers and Happy Holidays.” #lifewithouttimsucks
Margie Jordan, Vice President, Membership of CCRA Travel Commerce Network
“This year, I'm grateful for our members. They are extremely resilient and passionate about the travel industry. Many of them are personal friends. It warms my heart to see them thriving post-COVID. When travel becomes part of your well-being, the people you meet and work with along the way start to feel like family. So, this year, I'm super grateful for my extended travel industry family.”
Jeremy Hall, Cruise Vacations International (Aspire Associates Group)
“This year, I am grateful for receptive clients who are open and willing to accept my suggestions and recommendations. I’m also grateful for the close relationships I have with our travel partners who go above and beyond to ensure my client bookings get all the attention they need.”
Carly Heyward, Flight of the Educator
“I'm grateful to move into being an agent full-time and finally being in a field where I'm valued. I get to share my travel passion with others and help their dreams come true; how could it be better?”
Kim Cook, Owner of Love to Travel
“I am most grateful for our Love to Travel team that supports our goals and me personally. My Mom passed away recently after a lengthy illness, and I had to be out of the office frequently. Our team stepped up to the plate and handled my emails and clients so I could be away. Having that safety net in our business is crucial as you never know what life is going to throw at you and when you may be gone from the business unexpectedly.”
James Ferguson, CTC Luxury Travel Advisor/Cruise Specialist for Travel Edge / Ensemble Group
"Following an amazing best-ever sales year, I am grateful for my client's renewed desire to travel (again) in fulfilling their ‘Life (enrichening) List’ of global journeys...and for the continued friendships/partnerships within my extended travel industry family."
Tyson Wharton, Owner of Sioux Empire Travel
“I am most grateful this year for my team of advisors who have joined me and my outside community of travel professionals. This year we have added a team of 8 other travel professionals, which has helped me center myself mentally and physically. Now I have assistance and like-minded business owners who can bounce ideas off each other, hold each other accountable and motivate each other when we run into hard times. I am extremely grateful for the friends and business partners I have made in 2023…”
Victoria Reisinger, Vacay Vibes by V
“Professionally speaking, I can’t express enough gratitude for being chosen for 2023 Future Leaders Retreat! That industry event inspired me immensely — both professionally and personally. It re-lit a fire in me for this industry and is already having a positive impact in my business. I am forever grateful!”
Tammy Levent, President, Elite Travel
“I am immensely grateful for Elite Travel's team resilience and health this year. Despite the challenges of the past three years, our industry has shown remarkable strength and adaptability. We've bounced back from the pandemic's impacts, emerging more robust and committed than ever.
“Being part of creating unforgettable experiences for our clients for the past 30 years has been a true blessing. It's not just about the destinations but about enriching lives and connecting cultures. I'm excited for the future of travel and deeply thankful to be part of this resilient industry."
Mandee Migliaccio, CEO of Stepping Out Travel Services
“This year, I'm especially grateful for the invaluable first-hand experiences offered to me to support continual learning and exploration in travel. These experiences have allowed me to plan memorable vacations for my clients. I'm deeply thankful for the trust bestowed upon me by my wonderful clients, who allow me to meticulously design and curate unforgettable journeys tailored to their travel dreams.”
JoAnne Weeks, Director, Vacations Division of Acendas Travel
“I'm so grateful for having a team of advisors who are driven and dedicated to our clients, who after the last 3 years, show up day after day doing what they love. Their tenacity and level of service amazes me, along with their continued desire to be the best of the best, dedicating time to training, to FAMs and to attending vendor educational opportunities.
“I'm grateful for being in an industry that never gets boring! That pushes me to the brink sometimes but is always resilient. Travel used to be a luxury, now it's become a necessity in this crazy world we live in. If you were to ask any of my advisors this question, they would reply ‘We are grateful for implementing fees!’ This has helped us weed out the shoppers, and allows us to focus on clients who truly value our knowledge and expertise.
“Last but not least, personally, I am grateful for working for an employer who truly values me. Who supports me but allows me to be me and to lead my team my way. This is a rarity and not a day goes by that I don't thank my lucky stars for leading me to Acendas.”
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