“We’re helping more clients than ever”: Shelley's Sun and Sand Travel celebrates 10 years

Alberta-based travel agency Shelley's Sun and Sand Travel is celebrating ten years of turning dream vacations into unforgettable realities.

Business owner and travel advisor Shelley Cota, who lives in Lacombe, recently held a party to mark the special milestone, inviting a treasured group of clients and supplier partners.

“I’m proud of how far we’ve come,” Cota told PAX, reflecting on the past decade. “I started the agency not knowing how things would turn out, and it’s grown into something I never imagined. Like many in the industry, we faced some incredibly tough years during COVID, so reaching this milestone feels even more meaningful.”

The agency’s anniversary bash, held April 24 at the Lacombe Memorial Centre, welcomed several boldfaced names from the travel industry, including John Fallon from Royal Irish Tours, Kent Phillips from HX Expeditions, Ana Santa Maria from G Adventures, Leslie Schaff from Globus Family of Brands, Suzanne Morgan from Air Canada Vacations, Teresa Villanueva from Sandals and Beaches Resorts, and Jason Gignac from Iberostar Hotels & Resorts.

“We had an amazing turnout with well over 100 people in attendance,” Cota said. “We celebrated with cake and champagne and took time to thank everyone for their support.”

A team effort

Shelley's Sun and Sand Travel, which routinely wins awards at The Travel Agent Next Door's national conference every year, is supported by a team of professionals – Dawn, Erica, Brie, Jacquie, Alex, Kelly, and Nancy. 

The travel agency creates all kinds of experiences, from getaways at all-inclusive resorts to cruises to customized itineraries and tours to destination weddings to family vacations and group trips.  

Most of the team works from home, but two (Erica and Brie) join Cota in an office to help support clients and keep things running smoothly each day.

“We’re helping more clients than ever”

How has Shelley's Sun and Sand Travel evolved over the past ten years?

“It started out as just me, and now it’s a team effort,” Cota said. “We’ve grown steadily over time, and I’ve been lucky to find people who care about the work as much as I do. We’ve gotten better at what we do, and we’re helping more clients than ever.”

The biggest change Cota has seen in the travel industry, over the past decade, has been the introduction of tools that allow consumers to research and plan their own trips.

“People can find more information on their own now, which is great,” Cota said. “But it can also get confusing. There’s so much out there that it’s hard to know what’s reliable. That’s where we come in—to help make sense of it and take care of the details.”

The secret to her success, she said, is that “we care about our clients.”

“We listen, we follow through, and we take the time to make sure things are done right,” Cota said. “We’ve built long-standing relationships with both clients and supplier partners, and we’re consistent.”

What’s next for Shelley's Sun and Sand Travel?

“We want to keep growing, but still give each client the level of service they’ve come to expect,” Cota said. “That’s my focus. Doing good work and building on what we’ve already created.”

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