What inspired you to pursue a career in travel and tourism? Was there a defining moment?
A missed connection in London that turned into the best 36 hours of my life. I realized travel isn’t about the itinerary -it’s about what happens when the plan falls apart. I wanted to help other people chase that feeling on purpose. I think getting “lost” in the moment when you travel and not sticking to a rigid itinerary can lead to the best opportunities you could ever have.
Can you share a moment in your career when you realized, “This is exactly what I’m meant to do”?
A client called me crying -happy tears -from a vacation destination she’d been dreaming about for a decade. That’s the job. Not booking flights. Building someone’s “I can’t believe I’m actually here.”
How has your journey evolved since graduating from The Travel Institute?
Becoming a CTA has given me more confidence in myself as a Travel Agent. I came out of my CTA coursework knowing the mechanics -groups, itineraries, supplier contracts, etc… Now, a few years and a few hundred trips later, it’s less about knowing the system and more about knowing people: listening to what they really want and what their dream vacation looks like to them. I’m able to apply the things that I’ve learned with the people who trust me to create their bucketlist vacations.
What’s your favorite part about helping others experience the world through travel?
I love to help people see and experience the world. When people come back and tell me the new and interesting things that they have experienced with other cultures, I know that I helped to match them with the right experiences. The debrief calls after they’re home are still my favorite. Jet-lagged, still buzzing, already asking when they can go again. That energy is addictive.
What’s one cultural experience that left a lasting impression on you?
One of my favorite experiences was the food (walking) tour in Reykjavik, Iceland. It was not what I had expected. The pace was slow and food was exceptional. The deliberate slowness of it completely rewired how I think about “efficient” travel. Sometimes the itinerary should just be: sit down and enjoy the food and the people around you. I remember soaking in the moment and reflecting upon how grateful I was to be there to experience it.
What skills from The Travel Institute have made the biggest impact in your career?
The destination specialist training, hands down. And the client-consultation frameworks, which taught me to ask better questions before ever opening a booking tool.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their travel industry journey?
Get certified, then get on planes. The credential opens doors; the passport stamps build the instincts no course can teach. And get your niche down fast-“I book everything” is a much harder sell than “I’m your soft-adventure Northern Iceland person.” Once you show your clients that they can trust you, it becomes a lifelong relationship.
How do you stay motivated and inspired in an industry that’s constantly changing?
I treat every change- new entry requirements, a supplier pivot, a whole destination reopening -as material, and not as a headache. Constant change just means constant new stories to tell clients. Change is good.
Are there any mentors or peers in the industry who’ve deeply influenced your path?
My first mentor was blunt in the best way: she’d say “nobody cares about your itinerary; they care about how it makes them feel” until it finally rewired how I sell trips. Being a part of the excitement and expectations is the best part!
If you could only pack 3 items for a trip around the world, what would they be?
A universal adapter, a packable down jacket that squishes into nothing, and one absurdly good pair of sunglasses. Everything else you can buy at your destination-usually better and cheaper.
What’s one place on your travel bucket list that you haven’t crossed off yet?
The Canadian Rockies. I would love to take the Rocky Mountaineer and travel to Banff and Lake Louise. That’s forever been on my bucket list, and I hope to cross it off someday soon!
