Monday Minute: Terry Declare of TravelOnly

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: Terry Declare

Name of business: TravelOnly with Terry Declare

Where do you live? Ottawa, ON

How long have you been a travel advisor? I joined TravelOnly in 2012.

What is your specialty? 

I've specialized in cruising for years, but over the last couple of years I've shifted some focus to land tours.

What inspired you to become a travel advisor? 

For me, becoming a travel advisor was rooted in a realization of just how short and precious life really is. In 2012, my wife and I went through a very difficult year, losing several close family members. My uncle had been encouraging me for years to become a travel advisor — I'd been organizing group cruises for fun — and with his persistence and the support of my wife's mother before she passed, I finally joined TravelOnly. Fourteen years later, I'm grateful every day that I took that leap.

What's the first trip you ever took? 

Back in 1991, I took a cruise on the MTS Pegasus through Regent Holidays. There were nine of us travelling together, including my future wife, Sandy. We set sail from Santo Domingo full of excitement, until the captain came over the PA to let us know we'd be leaving late because the seas were rough, and he wanted everyone to get a good meal in first. Sensible enough, until he decided to set sail halfway through dinner. By the time the meal was finished, only three people were still seated at the table, and I definitely wasn't one of them. Let's just say the motion of the ocean won that round. The experience was memorable enough that it took me a full ten years to work up the courage to step foot on another cruise ship.

What travel trends are you seeing these days? 

There's so much information out there today that many consumers are feeling overwhelmed, and as a result, they're turning back to travel advisors for clarity and guidance. More and more, I'm finding that clients want to travel in smaller, more intimate groups, which is why river cruising and luxury cruise lines are becoming increasingly popular. African safaris are also in high demand, as travellers seek meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. And many clients are expressing a strong desire to visit Machu Picchu while they still can. There's a real sense of wanting to see iconic destinations before access becomes more limited.

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

One booking I'm especially proud of happened in March 2020. I had a group of clients in Santiago, Chile when the cruise industry suddenly shut down [due to the pandemic]. While they were out on a day trip, I secured flights home and coordinated directly with the in-destination supplier to reroute their transfer from the cruise pier to the airport. Thanks to quick action, they all made it home within two days, while many travellers were stranded in Santiago for much longer. To this day, they still thank me for getting them home safely.

What's the most memorable trip you've ever taken? 

In August 2024, my wife Sandy and I set out on our first Exoticca adventure — a trip we'd been dreaming about for months. From the moment we arrived in Ecuador, it felt like stepping into another world. Our days in the Amazon at Suchi Pakari were filled with the sounds of the rainforest: bird calls, the rustle of wildlife just out of sight. Then, in the Galápagos, we settled into the Sea Side Inn on San Cristóbal, where the ocean was never more than a few steps away. Everywhere we went, people welcomed us warmly, eager to share their pride in their home. Every animal, every plant, felt like a discovery. It's one of those rare trips that didn't just meet expectations, it completely exceeded them.

Where do you see your business one year from now? 

For the past two years, I've been fortunate to make the President's Club at TravelOnly and to be recognized among Exoticca's Top Ten Agents in Canada. I don't take those honours for granted. They're a reflection of the trust my clients place in me, and I'm thankful for every booking and every referral. My hope is simply to keep serving my clients well and to continue growing, one relationship, one referral and one meaningful trip at a time.

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

I've become much more comfortable with public speaking. Over the past couple of years, I've participated in several travel shows, and those experiences have really helped me grow. Each event has strengthened my confidence and made it easier to share my passion for travel with larger audiences.

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

One positive shift that came out of the 2020 shutdown was the realization — thanks in large part to the Association of Canadian Independent Travel Advisors (ACITA) — that we are not competitors, regardless of which host agency we choose to partner with. Instead of seeing each other as rivals, we learned to lean on one another, share knowledge and collaborate. There are more than enough clients to go around, and when we support each other, the entire industry becomes stronger.

What's the secret to success in this business? 

Find your niche, because you can't be everything to everybody. When you focus on what you do best, you attract clients who truly value your expertise. Work closely with your business development managers — they're invested in your success and can help you build a strategic plan that works. Keep learning: attend your host agency's training sessions and take advantage of local supplier events to stay ahead of industry trends. And perhaps most importantly, build your network. Connect with peers, ask questions and seek out mentors. I've been incredibly fortunate to have two of the best in the industry, Pat Probert and Mary De Almeida, guiding me along the way.

What is your motto? 

Be kind, be attentive and deliver exceptional service. It will set you apart.

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

Treat your clients with genuine care, and they'll not only return, they'll champion your business and send referrals that help your agency grow.

Where are you travelling next? 

We're heading to Japan this month. Pat and Mary have organized a cherry blossom cruise with pre and post stays, and they've graciously invited us along, along with eight of our clients. It's sure to be another unforgettable trip.

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