Monday Minute: Carina Shortliffe of I Do! Dream Destination Weddings

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: Carina Shortliffe

Business: I Do! Dream Destination Weddings

Where do you live? Halifax, NS

How long have you been a travel advisor? 12 years in June

What is your specialty?

Primarily destination weddings, honeymoons, and groups in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Greece.

What inspired you to become a travel advisor?

In short, a passion for travel from a young age. But it wasn't until I started planning my own destination wedding with an independent advisor that I realized this was something I could actually do for a living.

What's the first trip you ever took?

This is a tough one. My first trip would have been my flight back to Canada at six weeks old from Germany, where I was born. But if we're talking about my first trip that I remember, it would be travelling back to Germany to visit family as a child, and then when I was 14 my parents surprised me and took me on my first all-inclusive trip to Cuba for March Break. I think that's really where my love for travel and the Caribbean began!

What travel trends are you seeing these days?

I've been finding that clients aren't booking as early, but they are spending more and are looking for more luxury, more inclusions, and upgraded room categories. Clients are now looking for swim-out suites or oceanfront rooms where they can relax and spend more quality time together. They're also looking for more exotic destinations — places they've never been before, like Costa Rica, Greece, or Spain.

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

I'm proud of every booking, whether it's a last-minute trip to Mexico or a 10-day Mediterranean cruise, but one trip that has me the most excited right now is an elopement in Santorini. I've been working with the bride and groom on a customized two-week trip to Greece this coming spring where they'll be sightseeing in Athens and relaxing in luxury accommodations in Santorini after their micro wedding at Athina Luxury Suites. It's been a new adventure for me in destination wedding planning in Greece and it has been really fun to work on.

What's the most memorable trip you ever took?

I'm so fortunate to have been on many amazing trips that it's hard to choose just one! I feel like I should say my honeymoon to Moorea and Bora Bora would be my most memorable, but if I'm being honest, I would have to say my stay at Jade Mountain in Saint Lucia — in one of their Galaxy Sanctuaries — has to be the most impressive. There are no words to describe the feeling of walking into your suite and seeing the panoramic views of the Pitons.

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

While I love destination weddings and will continue to specialize in them, I see myself venturing into more ocean and river cruise groups to add a little variety and keep things interesting.

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

Planning FIT trips! I've never really ventured much into curated FIT travel itineraries. I've mostly booked packaged all-inclusive vacations for groups and individuals.

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

Wait times when calling into suppliers and tour operators. I'm lucky to work with many amazing supplier partners who have worked very hard to implement self-serve tools, but if we could reduce the wait times even more, it would be amazing!

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

Patience, passion, and personalized customer service. You absolutely need patience. We all have those times when we have to sit on hold for three or four hours to speak to a representative about a change or amendment to a booking. You need to have passion for travel. People buy from people they like, and if you are passionate about a product, destination, or resort, your clients will see that and trust you. And become more excited about their trip. 

And of course, customer service. Clients can buy travel anywhere. If they just wanted to be a number they would book online, but they've come to us because they want more than that and want our experience and expertise when planning their trip.

What is your motto?

I don't know if this is a motto per se, but I truly strive to find the best fit and value for my clients at any budget.

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

Community over competition. There is enough business in the travel industry for everyone, and by sharing our experiences and helping answer others' questions, we can really work together and build the industry up.

Where are you travelling next?

This is the first time in a while that I don't have immediate back-to-back travel plans, but that's okay. I just got back from Mexico in October, Aruba in November and Punta Cana in December, so it's been nice to enjoy a little break. I don't doubt I'll be in Mexico or the Caribbean sometime this spring, but then I'll be sailing through Germany this August on my first ever river cruise with AmaWaterways!

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