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“She will be missed by all”: travel industry mourns the loss of Lynda Sinclair
The travel industry is mourning the loss of a remarkable mentor, colleague and friend.
Lynda Sinclair of Vision Travel Solutions sadly passed away on September 8th. She was 60 years old.
A pioneer in the travel world, Sinclair is remembered for her enthusiasm, kindness and professional expertise in the travel and tourism industry, where she worked for more than 40 years.
Stephen Smith, senior vice-president, leisure marketing, North America, at Direct Travel, said Lynda was “like my work sister.”
“We shared every range of emotion as we worked side by side for more than 10 years and I had a deep respect for her as a colleague and a friend,” Smith told PAX. “She was a wonderful person with a zest for life who brightened a room when she entered. She will be missed by all.”
Lynda, who had been fighting cancer for several years, started in the travel industry on the retail side, working with companies such as New Wave Travel in Toronto.
She joined Ensemble Canada (when it was called GIANTS) in 2000 as National Director of Sales until 2004, and then moved to Vision 2000 Travel Group (its former name) as Director of Operations until 2008.
Following a two-year position at Travel Counsellors Canada that saw her engage with Canada’s growing home-based sector, Lynda returned to Vision Travel Solutions in 2010 as General Manager of Vision 2000’s Travel@home team.
Since 2014, she had been Vision Travel Solutions’ senior vice-president - leisure.
Sheila Gallant-Halloran of Lush Life Travel, an affiliate of Vision Travel, described Lynda as “a mentor, a cheerleader, and a dear friend.”
“Lynda welcomed me to the world of travel and helped me transition from my former career as an actuary,” Gallant-Halloran wrote PAX in an email. “She was passionate about the industry, and taught me its power to connect people around the globe. She maximized her ‘return on life’ through travel, and always thought this exuberant adventure was better savoured with a glass of champagne. I will miss her.”
Federico Berardinucci, business development manager, Eastern Canada, at Uniworld, echoed that sentiment, remembering Lynda as a “kind and caring lady who had a contagious smile.”
Virtuoso travel and cruise advisor Brenda Goodby will forever remember Lynda as a "shining star" who mentored her during her days at Vision.
"She immediately reached out to mentor, encourage, and share her passions with me for Virtuoso and for human connection around the world," Goodby said. "It brought enhancements to my travel career and life that I will never forget."
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