Open Jaw recently chatted with Jocelyne Lagrove-Fedec of Sears Travel in Sudbury.
How long have you been in the business? Thirty – with Sears, 28 years.
What was your first job? I worked part-time with Flare Travel in Kitchener. The big sellers were Wardair, Carnival Cruises, Carousel, and Sunquest, which was famous back then for its roast-beef-on-a-Kaiser product launches.
How much did you earn? As a part-time agent, $6,000 a year.
How has the business changed since you got into it? Everything was so manual back then – I remember rotary dial phones! But a lot hasn’t. People still need to find trust in the agent.
What’s the key to your success? Our number one success is our annual travel show, which brings in over 1,000 people a day.
How do you keep up on industry affairs? Constant training, even by phone. I don’t care if I’m up north, with today’s technology training is always possible.
Any time management strategies? I always have a to do list, and in the morning I choose three items from the list that I try to do by the end of the day.
What do you see as the up and coming leisure destination? In Sudbury we sell a good blend of Cuba, Mexico and the Donimican, but we are expanding into other interesting areas – we are doing some large escorted tours and cruises.
If you weren’t doing this what would you be doing? I can’t think of doing anything else. But…I have to say I’m intrigued by carpentry!
What is your favourite vacation destination and why? I love Venice, I loved being on safari in Africa, but the destination I’m the most proud of is our own country.
Where are you going on your next vacation? A working vacation escorting a group to Europe.
If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be? Educating the public on how special a travel agent is.
© Open Jaw