A 2 minute chat with a winning Canadian travel agent who loves the biz—and it shows. Open Jaw recently chatted with Charline Fortier, senior travel consultant, Maritime Travel, Dieppe, NB.
Charline at Villa Vignamaggio near Greve, Tuscany.
How long have you been in the business? 32 years. I started in Labrador City at Nascopi Travel in the good old days before computers. It was a lot more labour-intensive than now, but it really was a fun time.
Where did your first airplane ride take you? My dad was in the military and we moved from Trenton to Goose Bay, Labrador. I remember the airplane didn’t even have seats, only benches!
How has the business changed since you got into it? More people make it a career now, whereas when I started it was considered a short term job. More stay longterm. And the technical changes! We didn’t even accept credit card payments.
Do you have a specialty? Italy – I fell in love with Italy 20 years ago and go back every year.
Why Italy? Why Italy? Because of the culture, the climate, the language, the food, the wine, the people. I must have been Italian in a previous life - I feel like it’s going home.
Do you have any time management strategies? I do work a lot with a to do list which helps prioritize things.
What drives you crazy? Tire kickers.
What would you say to someone coming into the business today? You need to be adaptable, roll with the punches - and have a sense of humour.
What do you see as the up and coming leisure destination? The Caribbean is always popular with Maritimers, though we have more and more people traveling to Europe.
If you weren’t doing this what would you be doing? I teach travel two days a week, and really love it.
What do you do to keep your clients loyal? I book a lot of Europe and a big part of that is the personal knowledge I have of the destination. I have a lot of little contacts and insider tips that make my clients feel special.
If you could have dinner with any three people, alive or dead, who would you invite? Catherine de Medici, Leonardo de Vinci and Michelangelo. You can bet the food would be great!
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