Monday Minute: Martin Poirier of Peartree Vacations

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: Martin Poirier 

Name of business: Peartree Vacations

Where do you live: Moncton, New Brunswick

How long have you been a travel advisor? Just over six years.

What is your specialty?

All-inclusive travel, with a strong focus on group bookings, along with a recently launched luxury division.

What inspired you to become a travel advisor?

I was fairly new to travelling myself but really enjoyed the planning side of it. I saw it as a way to make some extra income, and with my background in IT, I felt comfortable navigating the systems and tools involved. I actually started the same year my daughter was born, so it was a bit of an impulsive decision. In hindsight, the lack of sleep probably helped me commit to it a little faster than I normally would have.

What’s the first trip you ever took?

I didn’t get on a plane until I was an adult. Growing up, most of our trips were family camping vacations around the Maritimes and the eastern U.S., which I really enjoyed. The first trip I ever booked myself was to RIU Ocho Rios in Jamaica, which was a very different experience—and what first got me interested in all-inclusive travel.

What travel trends are you seeing these days?

We’re definitely seeing the impact of rising travel costs and the cost of living, but demand for all-inclusive travel remains as strong as ever. Couples and families are really focused on getting the best overall value for their vacations. From our side, we’re also seeing growing interest in destinations outside of the usual Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica and Cuba, which have long been popular due to direct flights from the Maritimes. It’s been nice to see Air Canada expand with direct flights from Halifax to destinations like Barbados and the Bahamas, giving clients more variety.

Of all the bookings you’ve made, which itinerary and/or travel package are you most proud of?

One that stands out is a group of over 100 clients booked at Royalton Blue Waters for March Break that had to be completely reworked due to a hurricane in Jamaica and the resort closure. With very little notice, we were able to move all families who still wanted to travel to alternative resorts in Jamaica and other destinations where availability still existed, which is not easy during peak March Break travel. It was a challenging situation, but I’m proud of how we handled it and made sure everyone still got away on their vacation. I had already started preparing backup options as the situation was developing, which helped us move quickly once changes were confirmed.

What’s the most memorable trip you ever took?

My most memorable trip was with my dad last April. We went to Boston for his retirement trip, and it was his first time ever getting on a plane. We were able to catch Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics games, which had been a lifelong dream for him as a Boston sports fan. It was an incredible experience for both of us, and really special for me to be able to share that with him and see the impact it had. It also put things into perspective—especially in this industry, where we travel often and can sometimes take those moments for granted.

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

Continuing to grow the business and further position ourselves as one of the top agencies in Canada. I’d also like to keep expanding our team with agents across the country now that we’re more established, while continuing to improve our tools and processes to keep things running efficiently. On the group side, I had joked about reaching 100 group contracts for 2027, and while that may still be a stretch, we’re already over 60. It’s exciting to see that kind of growth, and I’ll continue pushing the limits for our team.

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

Using AI beyond basic tasks. Most people are using it for simple things like email replies, but I’ve been going deeper and using it to build my own tools and programs from the ground up, including a complete website redesign from scratch. It’s something that will play a big role in how we operate and scale moving forward.

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

I’d like to see a higher barrier to entry to become a travel advisor. With the rise of side hustles, there’s been a large influx of new advisors, which is understandable, but this is a very demanding industry that requires constant learning and a significant time commitment to stay on top of trends and provide real value. When that level of commitment isn’t there, it can impact the client experience and ultimately the perception of the value we bring as advisors.

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

Relentlessness. The competition in this industry has never been higher, so it comes down to what you can do to stand out. I’ve always focused on not just doing what others are doing, but finding ways to offer something they can’t easily replicate.

What is your motto?

Fake it till you make it. It’s been my mindset from day one. If you carry yourself like the person you want to be and the business you want to build, you eventually grow into it.

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

Treat it like a real business from day one. The advisors who succeed are the ones who put in the time, stay on top of trends, and focus on delivering a strong client experience rather than just chasing the next booking. The perks and free trips will come with success, but if that’s the main goal, it’s very difficult to build something long term.

Where are you travelling next?

I’m heading to Las Vegas for the Travel Agent Forum conference in May, followed by a trip to Los Cabos later that month to experience Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property.

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