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Biting Questions with Steve Gillick, President and COO of CITC (The Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors)
Steve Gillick in Japan
9MAY07
What are your key functions? Administration mainly, but also business development, motivation, and the creative thought process.
How many people work for you? Five in Toronto. CITC is actually represented in seven regions across the country.
How many CTC's are there now? About 2,000 of the some 30,000 agents in the country. There's lots of room for growth! Our goal is to get consumers to recognize the designation.
Isn't it a long, complicated process to become a CTC? Not any more - we're trying to make the process more user-friendly and relevant. In today's world you have many more specialists - in CITC's new system you are evaluated by what you actually do for a living so you aren't "forced" to learn a lot of stuff you'll likely never use. There's only a knowledge exam and 1,000 hours of recent relevant occupational experience. The cost, by the way, is $350.
In one sentence - why become a CTC? It's a matter of pride and confidence in your own abilities.
What would you say is your greatest strength? Sheer enthusiasm for travel.
Your favourite vacation destination? Mongolia and Viet Nam. But I have been to Japan six times in past three years. And I've been to Taiwan five times! I'm sure in a past life I lived in Asia.
What is your pet peeve? People who don't return email.
What is your worst habit? I'm a workaholic. Is that a bad habit?
What was the best piece of advice you ever received? "The world is like a mirror reflecting what you do and if you face it smiling it will smile right back at you."
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