Travel Agent of the Day - Monday, November 26th, 2007 - Vicky Spencer
11/26/2007 11:11 a.m.
Vicky Spencer
Destination Specialist (DS)
Vicky joined the Tripology network in March of 2007 and has already planned some great vacations for travelers she found through Tripology.com.
How long have you been in the business?
"One and a half years."
What inspired you to become a travel agent?
"Realizing the value of seeing, doing, and noticing things around the world. I find travel very educational and exciting."
Do you have a passion for travel?
"Yes, especially with children..."
Did you do anything else before becoming a travel agent?
"Yep, I was a mom, a teacher, and a social worker beforehand."
Are there any great perks that come with working in this business?
"Some, but they are not the full reason to get into the business."
What are some of the perks? Any great discounts?
"Yes, I have stayed at travel agent rates and I have gone on a few FAM trips."
Do you take a lot of vacations?
"About two a year and also some FAM trips and trainings."
Do you go alone or do your friends and family tag along?
"I have done it each way. Vacations I really choose to do with family, but trade shows and trainings I do with others."
Favorite getaways to head off to on your own?
"Any beach with an easy flight plan."
Do you inadvertently work a lot when you are on vacation? - scouting hotels, activities, tours and sites?
"I make a lot of observations and try to experience as much as possible. I try to mingle with guests and get an idea of what the hotel offers. I also try to get my daughter to do a kid program if is offered (she is 11)."
How else do you review hotels that you may not have been to?
"I ask other agents, check ratings online, and review spots online as well."
How many clients do you have right now?
"I am working with approximately six right now. They want to book before the rush. I am a home based agent so that number is OK with me."
Do you work with a partner?
"No"
Office or home?
"Home"
Do you limit how many clients you can work with at one time?
"I have not done this yet. I am planning on adding another individual to the agency instead of turning clients away. I also refer clients out to others if they have an extreme specialty. (I might trade ski referrals for honeymoon ones.)
Websites such as, Orbitz, Expedia, and Travelocity have given the opportunity to travelers to book trips without a travel agent. Have you found this to be a problem for you?
"No. First of all, they do not always have the best price, and sometimes I can even get commission from using them. Also many times people using these sites are often just booking air, and air does not offer commissions. Let them use the sites for that...I just hope that they do not run into any problems."
What are you doing to convince travelers that a travel agent is a better option?
"I always tell people that you can't have a conversation with a computer and computers don't listen for details like I do."
If a traveler asks you, "Why should I use a travel agent," how do you respond?
"I will really listen to what you want, and I know the business better than any internet site. I can save you time, stress, and money."
Have any travelers given you any horror stories of experiences they had trying to book a trip on their own?
"Yes, I have heard quite a few."
Do you have any tips for the listening travel community?
"Keep listening to your customers. Travel, like many other businesses needs the relationship factor. Try to be connected with your customers and not just be out for another sale."
What's the most exciting trip to book right now for you?
"I still love getting together a nice honeymoon package. I think it's the romantic in me..."
What would you say is your most popular destination request right now? Why do you think that is?
"I am hearing a lot of cruise requests, probably because it is getting colder now. I hope to be hearing honeymoon and destination wedding requests soon as well."
There's a lot of buzz about specialization these days, and how destination expertise is still a great value proposition for travelers. Why do you think agent specialization is important to have when travelers are trying to book the trip?
"Specialists know what they are talking about. I can tell you about restaurants, clubs, describe the differences in the all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, etc. I have taken the time to be trained to know these areas."
What does it mean to be specialized to you?
"To focus sales on one area and really be an expert."
Do travelers ask a lot if you have been to where they are trying to book their trip?
"Yes, quite often. That is why the training helps."
How specialized is too specialized? Is this possible?
"If I only sold Mexico packages that might be going too far."
If someone were to call you and ask for a once in a lifetime vacation idea, what would you suggest?
"That would totally depend on the guest and their personal information, such as: ages, who is traveling, etc. After finding that information out I would suggest Hawaii, cruising in Alaska, Walt Disney World, and Italy."
Funniest thing you have ever been asked?
"How can I get a free ticket to Hawaii?... My answer: Think small and climb in a suitcase."
Tags: travel agents of the day
Relevant Articles:
Travel Agent of the Day - Friday, November 30th, 2007 - Marina Byrum
Michele H - 11/30/2007
Marina ByrumCertified Travel Consultant (CTC), Destination Specialist (DS) Marina joined the Tripology network in June of 2007 and has already planned some great vacations for travelers she found through Tripology.com. How long have you been in the business? "Forty-two years." What inspired you to become a travel agent? "The urge to ... Read More
Travel Agent of the Day - Thursday, November 29th, 2007 - Stacey Criss
Michele H - 11/29/2007
Stacey CrissCertified Travel Associate (CTA), Certified Travel Consultant (CTC), Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE), Destination Specialist (DS), Master Cruise Counselor (MCC) Stacey joined the Tripology network in August of 2007 and has already planned some great vacations for travelers she found through Tripology.com. How long have you been in the business? ... Read More
Travel Agent of the Day - Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - Kristen Hernandez
Michele H - 11/27/2007
Kristen HernandezHoneymoon Specialist Kristen joined the Tripology network in August of 2007 and has already planned some great vacations for travelers she found through Tripology.com. How long have you been in the business? "13 years." What inspired you to become a travel agent? "When I was growing up ... Read More
Travel Agent of the Day Friday November 23rd, 2007 - Patricia Baker
Michele H - 11/23/2007
Patricia BakerDestination Specialist (DS), Recommend Destination Specialist Patricia joined the Tripology network in June of 2007 and has already planned some great vacations for travelers she found through Tripology.com. How long have you been in the business?"20 years" What inspired you to become a travel agent?"I wanted to help people ... Read More
Travel Agent of the Day Wednesday November 21, 2007 - Linda Spyres
Michele H - 11/21/2007
Linda SpyresAccredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), Destination Specialist (DS), Recommend Destination Specialist Linda joined the Tripology network in March of 2007 and has already planned some great vacations for travelers she found through Tripology.com. How long have you been in the business? "Eight years." What inspired you to become a travel ... Read More
Travel Agent of the Day Tuesday November 20th, 2007 - Lisa Williams
Michele H - 11/19/2007
Lisa WilliamsCertified Travel Consultant (CTC), Destination Specialist (DS), Lifestyle Specialist (LS), Recommend Destination Specialist Lisa joined the Tripology network in October of 2007 and has already planned some great vacations for travelers she found through Tripology.com. How long have you been in the business? "Almost 20 years." What inspired you to ... Read More
Travel Agent of the Day Friday November 16th, 2007 - Jennifer Byrne
Michele H - 11/16/2007
Jennifer ByrneDestination Specialist (DS), Lifestyle Specialist (LS), Recommend Destination Specialist Jennifer joined the Tripology network back in March of 2007 and has already planned some great vacations for travelers she found through Tripology.com. How long have you been in the business? "14 years." What inspired you to become a travel ... Read More
Travel Agent of the Day Monday November 19th, 2007 - Loretta Lamberth
Michele H - 11/15/2007
Loretta LamberthEuropean Travel Specialist Loretta joined the Tripology network back in March of 2007 and has already planned some great vacations for travelers she found through Tripology.com. How long have you been in the business? "Over two years." What inspired you to become a travel agent? "It sounds so cliché, ... Read More
Travel Agent of the Day Wednesday November 14th, 2007 - Larry Martino
Michele H - 11/14/2007
Larry Martino Destination Specialist (DS) Larry joined the Tripology network back in March of 2007 and has already planned some great vacations for travelers he found through Tripology.com. How long have you been in the business? "About three and a half years." What inspired you to become a ... Read More
Travel Agent of the Day Tuesday November 13th, 2007 - Philippa Andrea Bollman
Michele H - 11/13/2007
Philippa Andrea Bollman Philippa joined the Tripology network back in September of 2007 and has already planned some great vacations for travelers she found through Tripology.com. How long have you been in the business? "Officially, for one year. Unofficially, I have been booking travel and helping with vacation plans for ... Read More
