Monday Minute: Bruce Holt of Heart of Oak Travel Agency

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: Bruce Holt

Where do you live? Ottawa, ON

How long have you been a travel advisor? Less than a year

What is your specialty? Ocean cruises, FIT for veterans, all-inclusives, expedition cruises

What inspired you to become a travel advisor?

I have always enjoyed travelling and planning trips. I worked at a business intelligence software company for almost 35 years, was a tech lead in global support, and finally ran my own company as an IT consultant. I worked through the pandemic, and suddenly as the world was coming back, all the jobs that required that software dried up. Not wanting to retire, I pivoted and became a travel advisor. I should have done it sooner

What’s the first trip you ever took?

A family vacation to a campground in Nova Scotia.

What travel trends are you seeing these days?

I’m seeing an increased demand for solo travel options, especially when the single supplement is waived. A greater number of women want to travel solo to destinations where they feel safe. More exotic locations are being asked for (safaris, expedition cruises to the North and South Poles). I’m finding the cost of airfare is hindering people from taking short getaway trips. I often hear people wanting to make the most of their expenditure on flights.

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

A seven-day road trip through the Netherlands, Belgium and France, seeing all the Canadian battlefields of the First and Second World Wars. Planning out all the hotels and travel plans in countries I had never visited was amazing. I was lucky that all the hotels I chose turned out to be very different from each other, and they all worked out. Of course, getting my small Toyota rental swapped out for a Mercedes was a real bonus. But then again, Uber drivers use Mercedes in Europe.

What’s the most memorable trip you ever took? 

That road trip, seeing all the Canadian battlefields of the First and Second World Wars. Visiting Vimy Ridge, Beaumont Hamel, Sanctuary Hill, the grave of Col. John McCrae, the Menin Gate, Ypres, Juno Beach, Dunkirk and Dieppe invoked very powerful feelings of awe and horror at what had happened there. I am a huge war history nut, as well as a Canadian Naval Officer veteran.

Where do you see your business one year from now?

I’m looking forward to growing my business by presenting at various events and growing my contact list. It is a slow process, but one I am enjoying immensely.

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

How to chat with suppliers at trade shows and get the most I can from them.

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

How we are perceived by the general public (a provider of free information). A status level below used car salesmen and fuller brush salesmen. We should be seen as professional and experienced holders of knowledge that are well worth any extra fees that we charge.

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

Listening more to clients than talking. And getting to know them well.

What is your motto?

Rooted in experience, committed to excellence.

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

Start off as a part-time travel advisor, keep working your regular job, until you have enough clients to actually make a good living at selling travel.

Where are you travelling next?

That is a great question. We are doing a 15-day transatlantic cruise aboard Sky Princess, followed by a seven-day road trip around the U.K. Then, 20 days later, it’s CLIA’s Cruise 360 in Fort Lauderdale. Then a six-night cruise with Celebrity, and finally, the Nexion Cruise Summit in Cocoa Beach. All within two months.

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