Let's Catch Up

Wow, I did not realize it has been so long since I have updated my blog. I stopped posting as I was moving my business in a new direction and was getting ready to relaunch when the world decided to shut down and I will be honest so did I along with many of you.

I will admit this shutdown impacted my life in so many ways. In the beginning, I spend hours on phones and email canceling clients' trips. Fighting for refunds and future travel credit and dealing with insurance. This went on for a long time. I just finally got my last client from March 2020 their refund and I still have clients with future travel credits that will eventually have to be redeemed. All of this work was done for free or at a cost to me. In travel, the majority of agents did not charge fees as we received a commission for clients' travel. This commission was recalled or never paid out which means all those hours worked were for nothing. This is why you will find that many agents are now charging fees in different ways. 

I have started booking again but even that has gotten difficult with Omicron as people are canceling or once again having travel canceled or changed. I have a personal cruise coming up booked my air in November and in December the airline canceled those flights and offered to change them to two days later. I could not accept that as they were after my cruise departure so I changed airlines. I have had clients receive schedule changes as well. Both Air Canada and Air Transat have canceled most of their Caribbean Islands flights other than Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and Cuba.

I have secured many groups for cruise sailings to help secure the best prices for my clients. I have one group for 2022 and many for 2023, 2024, and even 2025. As the world opens back up and people travel again inventory will be hard to come by and pricing will get higher. 

I did travel back in October/November for a conference and I have to say it was amazing. It was definitely different with all the protocols in place but I still had a great time and I am looking forward to my many adventures this year as well.

The one thing I do like about covid and the shut down was re-evaluating what is important in our lives. I have four children a husband I belong to many groups and committees as do they and my calendar was insane. It was color-coordinated and full. There was never much free time available. This full-on stop was actually nice and weird at that same time. Our family has spent more time together not just rushing from one event to another. 

So while my work is picking back up our activities have not yet and they have had me re-evaluating a lot of change. Which includes more travel with my family and friends. As they are so important and we need to make up for lost time

Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor
Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca
Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.ca

TICO 50021282
55 York Street, Suite 1003
Toronto, On M5J 1R7
Office Phone 416-367-8264 ext 2625
Direct Phone 613-543-3006

Please keep in mind that while my head office is in Toronto. I am a home based travel agent and I live in South Dundas and I can service clients anywhere in Canada. But, I meet with clients in the SD&G area