Monday Minute: Jenn Kennedy of Enjoy Travel

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: Jenn Kennedy

Name of business: Enjoy Travel

Where do you live: Woodstock, Ontario

How long have you been a travel advisor? 18 years this Cinco de Mayo!

What is your specialty? 

Cruises, guided tours/FIT, and all-inclusive resorts

What inspired you to become a travel advisor? 

I was searching for my purpose and passion and looking to change careers from retail management to a vocation where I could help others. I picked up a college course book from Conestoga and dove right in as a mature student. Since I've always enjoyed travel, I thought this seemed like a great fit, and it is.

What's the first trip you ever took? 

When I was three, our family drove to the East Coast and took the ferry to Newfoundland. I visited seals, went deep sea fishing for cod, and went whale watching. We also visited PEI, where we went to a petting zoo and I held a very squeaky piglet until it launched out of my arms! I guess you could say I found my love for nature and wildlife early on.

What travel trends are you seeing these days? 

I think people are craving connections again. They're looking to build relationships with people they meet, cultures they learn about, and hobbies they've developed. Many travellers are looking for personalized experiences they can share with others—places that feel diverse yet rich in history and unique landscapes, such as the British Isles, Costa Rica, Portugal, Italy (most of the Mediterranean actually), Southeast Asia, South Korea, and Japan. Cruising is also huge on clients' radar, as it allows people to sample places they may be curious about without fully committing to just one destination.

Of all the bookings you've made, which itinerary and/or travel package are you most proud of? This was a number of years ago, but I worked with a special family that travelled to Tahiti for a Paul Gauguin cruise with their teenage son. They combined this holiday with an FIT itinerary to Australia and New Zealand. 

I had the opportunity to share what I'd learned after having been Down Under and to other areas of the South Pacific. When my clients returned, they'd picked up a shell necklace as a thank you. Gifts are never expected, but my mom always said it's the thought that counts!

What's the most memorable trip you ever took? 

This is so hard because all the people I've met have helped shape those experiences. Although I thrive on meeting wonderful humans, I'm an animal lover at heart, so I'll say the Galapagos Islands. I'd been watching Blue Planet and geeking out on wildlife shows for years, so to have the opportunity to swim above sleeping sharks was such a moment. 

I also remember stepping off the expedition boat and landing on terrain that literally felt like we were walking on Mars. There were these huge crater-like grooves that we traversed across, and the endemic species there are so very different.

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

Aside from building more clientele in my community and furthering those relationships, I'd like to put more effort into my social media presence and utilize those tools further. Ideally, I'd love to be comfortable creating video content while I'm travelling and using multiple platforms to do so. 

Of course, I wish to increase my sales and go back to my roots of more luxury travel, because those clients understand overall value and don't get hung up on just price. On a personal note, I'd like to learn a new hobby or sport and buy a home where I can grow milkweed to attract Monarch butterflies and have a fenced backyard for our two ferrets, Finnegan and Dozer, to frolic and get their zoomies out!

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

This is more of a personal shout-out that correlates professionally: I didn't realize how great of a wedding planner I really am, and I feel like I'm ready to tackle more wedding groups now that I know how much time and energy they consume after planning my own recent wedding!

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

I'd like to see further protection for cancellation bookings with tour operators. Life happens, and sometimes people have to cancel. It would be great to know that with all the work leading up to that point, there would never be any commission recalls.

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

Get involved in the community, network, and always be ready to talk travel to anyone you meet, because they could be your next client or your next referral. I don't go anywhere without my business cards, and my husband jokes that I'll talk to anyone in a lineup—people like to talk about places they've been or where they want to travel. 

It's also important to partner with the right travel agency, consortia, and suppliers that appreciate agents and will encourage your achievements. We're part of an elite agency with Travelsavers at Enjoy Travel, so we like to celebrate our successes as a team.

What is your motto? 

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." We're all human and make mistakes, but it's important to take ownership of those shortfalls and learn and grow from every experience. If you don't hear back from a client, don't make assumptions—just reach out. Communication is key, and people like to know we're here to guide and support them.

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

Know your worth and don't waiver from your service fees. You put the effort in to get to where you are and should be compensated for that, regardless of whether commission is being offered by the vendor. I'm guilty of making exceptions with individuals who say they intend on booking, but we can never guarantee that they will, especially with very last-minute requests.

Where are you travelling next? 

I'm hoping to do a game drive in South Africa and sip some local wine, but it could also be another cruise on Virgin Voyages or Oceania, since my husband is now hooked on cruising and we love the adults-only vibe!

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