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Monday Minute: Flight Centre's Ariane Henry
The 'Monday Minute' is a weekly feature at PAX dedicated to highlighting the movers, shakers, leaders and rule-breakers in Canada's travel agent community. Wanna be profiled? Wanna nominate someone? Email newsroom@paxglobalmedia.com!
Name: Ariane Henry
Company: Flight Centre Premium West
Where do you live? White Rock, British Columbia
How long have you been a travel agent? I’ve been in the travel industry for just over seven years.
What is your specialty? Cruises (ocean and river), custom itineraries in Europe, Southeast Asia and the South Pacific.
What do you love most about being a travel agent? I love being able to send my clients on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday and help them check off bucket-list items. Being a travel agent is more than just a job or a career – travel for me is my passion. I pride myself in exceptional customer service and going that extra mile for my clients. Also, I love the travel opportunities this job brings and the people you meet along the way. Some of my closest friends are people I’ve met while attending trainings, FAMS or other travel events.
What's one travel trend you've noticed as of late? Definitely the biggest trend for me is unique, cultural and private experiences. They see what’s on Instagram – the perfect photo with no one around – but they want to be the first ones to post about it. Travellers are wanting a break from the ordinary and want to experience something truly special, realizing the true value of a moment instead of collecting tacky souvenirs. I also believe that people are realizing the worth a travel agent can bring to their vacations. They realize that we are usually a pretty well-travelled bunch and have so much to offer in personal stories, travel tips and destination advice.
Of all the bookings you’ve made, which itinerary and/or travel package are you most proud of? I’m proud of so many of my client’s itineraries – they all have a special story. One that touched my heart especially is a local musician that collects instruments and donates them to children’s special needs programs around the world. He’s also donated his time to do music therapy classes and always brings a couple suitcases full of instruments to beyond-thrilled children in Mexico, Bali and Thailand.
What's your number one piece of advice to other travel agents? Never turn down a booking. Some of my best clients have come from a simple domestic flight. It’s showing every client that walks through your door that they are important and valued.
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