A 2 minute chat with a winning Canadian travel agent who loves the biz—and it shows. Open Jaw recently chatted with Lesley Anne Harpe of Carol Marshall Travel in Calgary, ACTA Alberta travel agent of the year.
Lesley Anne Harpe
How did you get ACTA travel agent of the year for Alberta? Someone – secretly – wrote a letter nominating me, and the judges like my letter of recommendation best!
How did you react to that? I was almost in tears – it was very humbling and I was honoured to bits.
How long have you been in the business?Since 1989 – I’ve worked with this agency since 1992 and for the past four years have worked out of my home in Edmonton as a satellite agent.
How is it different to work from your home? I found it hard to change from consulting face to face, going to lunch with clients and so on. I had to adapt my skills to make the client feel comfortable despite the fact that I was no longer in the office.
What are the upsides? Believe it or not, I’m more productive because everything is at my fingertips. My assistant in Calgary helps me with administration so I have more time to counsel.
How do you keep abreast of industry affairs? All the shows that come to Calgary come to Edmonton, but I’ve made also made good connections with, for example, Judy Bunkall of Signature Vacations.
How many hours per week do you work? 55 hours a week and even on weekends at times.
Do you have a specialty? I’m got my “specialist” designation from Sandals, Disney, Contiki and for cruises.
What drives you crazy? That everything in this business – seat sales, whatever - is on a deadline.
What do you see as the up and coming business/leisure destination? This year, Egypt, Greece and Turkey.
What is your favourite vacation destination and why? I’m a history buff so I love Europe, especially the former eastern block countries.
What would you like to be doing 10 years from now? What I’m doing now – I think I have the travel business in my blood!
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