Monday Minute: Melissa Baum of Yaycations & The River Cruise Queen

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: Melissa Baum

Name of business: Yaycations & The River Cruise Queen

Where do you live? McKellar, Ont.

How long have you been a travel advisor? Six years.

What is your specialty?

European river cruises.

What inspired you to become a travel advisor?

When I left my previous career as a biologist, I decided to turn my other passion, travel, into a career. I loved the idea of building my own business, working from home and creating a career that fit around my young family. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

What’s the first trip you ever took?

My first big trip was to Italy in Grade 11 with my high school art program. We travelled with EF Tours and joined another school to explore Italy’s iconic sights. It was an absolute dream, and from that moment on, I was completely hooked on travel.

What travel trends are you seeing these days?

I’m seeing people prioritize travel more than ever. They’re travelling more often and spending more on meaningful experiences instead of waiting for “someday.” There’s definitely an “if not now, maybe never” mindset. People are choosing to enjoy the money they’ve worked hard for by making incredible memories with the people they love.

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

One itinerary I’m especially proud of was a client’s dream Antarctic expedition with Viking Expeditions. We turned it into the ultimate bucket-list adventure by adding Easter Island, Machu Picchu and the Galápagos. It became an unforgettable journey featuring some of the world’s most remarkable destinations.

What’s the most memorable trip you ever took?

Our favourite family vacation, hands down, was Belize. We stayed at an incredible jungle lodge called Ian Anderson’s Cave Branch, and if you haven’t looked it up, you absolutely should. We had an unforgettable jungle adventure before heading to Ambergris Caye, where we rented a golf cart and explored the island like the locals do. Belize is stunning, but what really made the trip memorable was the people. They were some of the warmest and kindest people we’ve ever met while travelling.

Where do you see your business one year from now?

Over the next year, my goal is to continue growing our river cruise business while expanding into luxury ocean and expedition cruising. We’ve built a strong reputation in the river cruise market, and now we’re excited to help more clients experience incredible adventures at sea and in some of the world’s most remote destinations.

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

I’ve been learning how to film better travel content with my DJI Pocket camera and improving my video-editing skills. We rely heavily on social media to connect with clients across North America, so creating high-quality videos while I’m travelling has become a valuable skill.

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

If I could change one thing about the travel industry, it would be everything related to flights. Airfares, airline rules, delays, cancellations, schedule changes and pricing are some of the biggest variables in travel. They have a huge impact on every trip and are often the greatest source of stress for both travellers and people working in the industry.

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

I think the secret is finding your niche. Focusing on a specific type of travel allows you to market to the right audience, develop deep expertise and become the go-to person in that space. It’s much easier to stand out when you’re known for something instead of trying to sell everything.

What is your motto?

My motto is, “Everything can be fixed. It just might cost money.” Unexpected things happen in travel. Whether it’s a client mistake, an airline change or even an advisor error, the key is to stay calm, find a solution and take care of your clients.

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

Be kind to yourself and remember that you don’t have to be the right travel advisor for everyone. It’s okay to say no. The clients who are the right fit will value your expertise and make your business more enjoyable.

Where are you travelling next?

My next adventure is sailing Colombia’s Magdalena River with AmaWaterways this October. I’m excited to experience one of the newest river cruise destinations and see everything Colombia has to offer.

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