Open Jaw recently chatted with Lorraine Thompson, an independent agent at Service Guaranteed Travel in Kingston, Ontario.
Lorraine (centre) with friends at the
Panama Canal.
How long have you been in the business? You don’t want to know! Just to give you an idea, though, I went to work for Trans Canada Airlines [the precursor of Air Canada] when I graduated high school.
Where did your first airplane ride take you? Toronto to Buffalo – it was an hour on a prop plane. I also remember the wooden shed at Toronto Airport, which was then called Malton.
Do you have a specialty? I do leisure only – I like FIT, especially to Asia and India.
What was your biggest single sale? An FIT in India I did for a couple including the palace on wheels (the deluxe train around India) for around $45,000.
If your clients were to describe you what would they say? I’ve had some clients almost 40 years so I presume they’ll say I’ve done a good job and am congenial.
What drives you crazy? People who don’t know what they want to do. Or people who say things like “Can you keep an eye on sell-offs for us for next February?”
Do you have any time management strategies? Finish what you start.
What do you see as the up and coming leisure destination? Central America is going to take off – especially Panama. But clients also can’t get enough of cruising, from budget to deluxe categories.
If you had to spend 6 months in a destination what would it be and why? Australia, without a doubt. I’d pack my bags and move.
Where did you go on your last vacation? To the dear old Dominican Republic.
What do you do to keep your clients loyal? Give ‘em good service: make sure they get the proper product, doing it in an efficient way and with a pleasant attitude.
© Open Jaw