It is without a doubt that I say that 2017 has been one of the most whirlwind and wild years of the past ten. I finalised my trip around the world, signed on with a new company and became the proud owner of my new travel consulting business, and capped it all off with an exciting trip back to Europe in December.
I am far from the settled-in-one-place person I thought I might be this year, as my adventures even within the US took me from Kansas to Pennsylvania, Boston, Las Vegas, Miami, and halfway across the Pacific to Hawaii. I rang in 2017 in Wellington, New Zealand and added another six new countries to my tally before the summer (Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, UAE, and Czech Republic). My year ended in Italy, after adding one more country (Hungary) to my list.
A personal reflection on 2017
While some many disparage my travels as flights of fancy, I’m here to tell you it’s simply not the case. As a travel advisor, it’s my job to know as much as I can about the destinations in which I am an expert. I believe that travel is one of the best forms of education a person can have. Furthermore, it’s all on my dime, although I may be invited to various events or hotels. It’s a huge investment on my part, but I believe wholeheartedly that my travels cement my credibility. I’ve been on a lot of airlines, in a lot of airports, flown bizarre routes, and stayed in everything from questionable dorms to five star hotels. I know that my experiences qualify me as an expert in travel, and the more I travel the more I will know.
I’ve also been privileged to meet a vast network of suppliers, from Virtuoso partners to fantastic networks of three to five star hotels that offer the perks of Virtuoso without the price tag. My network spans the globe, and I can call on many of these people personally.
So 2017 has been very good to me, professionally. I am still building a network, but through the mentor programs I’ve been affiliated with I have learned to be more confident in how I discuss my career. The solo female traveler that backpacked the globe in 2016 is still here, no worries, but she’s grown just a bit. I’m more aware of how to discuss the value I add to trips, what perks my clients get when they book with me, and the support network I have to ensure their trip goes smoothly. And I can communicate that to clients.
I cannot imagine putting my own travels on the back burner, although I do my best to infuse every destination with a bit of work… whether it’s meeting a hotel rep and touring the hotel or having a wine with a potential tour supplier. Since all I ever do is talk about travel, it stands to (my) reason that it would be my life’s passion.
I feel not just incredibly lucky to have been in the right place at the right time to meet the right people, but also that I have an incredible support network in both my real family and my work family. My parents are nothing but supportive (and usually tag-alongs) while I have a select few people I can call on with any questions. In addition, I’ve been so lucky to meet other fearless females in the industry. I’m so proud to call many of them friends.
As I cap off 2017 with a simple glass of prosecco, I wish each and every one of you a buon inizio di 2018, happy new year, and many happy returns. May 2018 be filled with safe flights, empty middle seats, upgrades, new adventures, and free WiFi in all airports! Here’s to yet another wonderful year, no matter where it takes you!
