Monday Minute: Brian Kendrick of TravelOnly

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

Name: Brian Kendrick

Name of business: TravelOnly Vacations

Where do you live? Pembroke, ON

How long have you been a travel advisor? 21 years

What is your specialty? 

We sell a broad range of travel, including all-inclusive vacations, weddings, escorted tours, ocean and river cruises and custom-built packages.

What inspired you to become a travel advisor? 

Previously, I worked in the software industry installing software in banks. As part of that career, I lived in Canada, Bermuda, Russia, South Africa and Germany and travelled to many other countries. When I finished my last contract in Germany, I came to Canada to visit family. I went to a franchise show in Ottawa, met TravelOnly and the rest is history.

What’s the first trip you ever took?

When I was less than two years old, I cruised from England to Canada when my family immigrated to Canada.

What travel trends are you seeing these days? 

I’m definitely finding that more and more clients want to travel with a group, especially if it’s with other guests from the area where they live and the package includes transportation starting close to home. Door-to-door service and travelling with like-minded people are both very appealing.

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

I have led many groups to destinations around the world. The one I am most proud of was a custom-built escorted tour to South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana.

What’s the most memorable trip you ever took? 

I toured Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. The people have a history with so many devastating events and some have so little monetarily, yet they are smiling and ready to give a helping hand to anyone. It definitely made me appreciate my life and remember to always be thankful.

Where do you see your business one year from now? What are your future goals?

The volume of sales continues to grow and I have six agents on my team. I’m looking forward to more and more group sales, with team members travelling with their groups to make the group travel experience even more worry-free.

What’s one new skill you’ve acquired recently? 

I’ve finally learned how to delegate.

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

Standardized pricing rules. If travel suppliers sell directly to clients and through agencies, the pricing should be the same through both channels. Don’t undercut the agents by selling direct.

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

Listening. Take the time to listen to clients to really understand what they want to do and where they want to go. Spending that time listening can save a lot of time overall. Sometimes the client will change their wish list once they hear it out loud.

What is your motto? 

"Personal service at internet prices!" I created this motto as many clients believed they could get a better deal online. My clients learn that they can use our expertise to build their dream vacation, they don’t pay any extra and we are there to support them if there are any challenging travel situations. Once a client has experienced our service and they hear a friend or colleague say “the best deals are on the internet," they tell that friend to call us.

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

You don’t have to do it all yourself. Learn what the suppliers offer. They have expertise in destinations and styles of travel. Let them shine and you will be the hero.

Where are you travelling next?

Mallorca, followed by an AmaWaterways river cruise from Nuremberg to Luxembourg.

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