Monday Minute: Sandra Jackson of Wood Travel

The Monday Minute is a weekly feature in PAX that highlights the movers, shakers, leaders and rule breakers in Canada's travel advisor community. Wanna be profiled? Wanna nominate someone? Email newsroom@paxglobalmedia.com!

Name: Sandra Jackson

Business: Wood Travel

Where do you live? Lethbridge, AB

How long have you been a travel advisor? Six years

What is your specialty? FIT and five-star couples, families, off-the-beaten path. Immersion in culture and history, not simply “a resort.”

What is your current state of mind?  Busy!

What inspired you to become a travel advisor?

I have always had a passion for travel ever since I was a little girl.  That continued into adulthood and has been passed along to my children as well.  The opportunity presented itself to take over an established business, so I jumped on it!  I have been very fortunate in this venture and count my blessings daily.

What’s the first trip you ever took?

I cannot remember which came first, but I went to both The Netherlands and Mexico with my parents and siblings when I was very young. 

What travel trends are you seeing these days?

While budgets are still a large part in considering vacations, most people are understanding that the rates have changed over the past seven months.  Actions that I see becoming part of today’s travel trends when booking include limiting baggage to avoid losing them, booking direct flights when possible, and forgoing purchases of premium seats.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way you do business? 

While COVID was a harsh time to work through, as I am sure all agents can agree, it was such a great teacher for me.  My agency has always had a firmness on protocol and procedure, but I have expanded the initial booking procedure to require far more documented information for my client files, such as waivers, vaccination declarations, and signatures on terms and conditions.  Finally, I have implemented firm change and cancel fees as well as have non-refundable deposits.  This has been in direct response to the losses I incurred as a result of the pandemic and will assist in safeguarding compensation for the time I invest in my business.

Of all the bookings you’ve made, which itinerary are you most proud of? 

The booking I am most proud of was one in my first year, where I was responsible for booking 54 passengers, comprised of doctors, nurses, and assistants, who were travelling to underprivileged countries to provide medical services free of charge.  Being a part of such a large philanthropic endeavor made me feel very good about the work that I do.

What’s the most memorable trip you ever took?  

That’s a tough one – there have been so many!  I would have to say it’s a tie between my month in Thailand in February 2022 and my time spent in Saudi Arabia in November 2022.  I know I will return to these regions in the future.

Where do you see your business one year from now? 

I see my business continuing to expand and adding additional agents over the next couple of years.  I, too, experience the all-too-common labour shortages being felt globally, and it’s been difficult locating people who are qualified to jump on board.

What’s one thing you would change about the travel industry? 

I would change government legislation to promote business opportunities in this amazing country of ours.  Being left with few tour operators to work with most definitely has an impact on price points and availability.

What's the secret to being successful in this business? 

I feel that success in this business can be found if you are willing to work super hard and set yourself apart from the competition. Customer service – day and night! – is necessary as is attention to detail, developing personal relationships with one’s clients. Finally, having a positive demeanour and outlook on life. It’s all about those meaningful connections we make with others around the world.

What’s your motto?   

Push boundaries, learn from experiences, lose inhibitions.

What is your number one piece of advice to other travel advisors? 

It may be a difficult journey when starting off in this industry, but you will form friendships and connections that will become incredibly meaningful.  We are a diverse and close-knit community and, in my experience, are very supportive of each other while in pursuit of our individual dreams.

Where are you traveling next? 

I just returned from Kenya and Egypt, and will be heading next to Vancouver Island with my sisters and mother in April to celebrate my mother’s 83rd birthday.  I have a cruise planned for Portugal, Spain and France in September, and another to Asia in February of 2024.  I also have plans to visit the Maldives within the next year.

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