Holiday times are all about feeling good and giving back and happy endings.
Christy Prescott, a Travel Leaders Associate owner, started Christy's Hope, a nonprofit to help victims of domestic abuse. Christy's Hope raises money in support of the San Antonio Battered Women's Shelter. Founded by Prescott, the charitable organization coordinates an annual golf tournament and gala to raise money to help stop the vicious cycle of domestic violence. Since its inception, Christy's Hope has raised over $1.9 million with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to the shelter. Last year, Travel Leaders gave her their Golden Legacy Award.
"What Christy started in 1991 with a single, 400-square foot location in San Antonio has turned into a nearly $200 million travel enterprise that's now one of the largest female-owned, full-service travel management companies in Texas and among the top 50 in the country," explained Roger Block, CTC, President of Travel Leaders Franchise Group.
While some agents help their communities, others make sure to help their clients in special ways as well. This past year, Nicole Thibault of Magical Storybook Travel booked a four-day cruise to Mexico for two adult daughters and their mother. One of the daughters is deaf, and the mother was recovering from chemotherapy.
"Many accommodations were needed for this travel party," explained Thibault. "I helped to coordinate the on-board sign language interpreters, made sure the cabin had the vibrating alarm system installed prior to sailing, arranged for a shower chair to be in the stateroom for mom in case she needed assistance bathing, and coordinated a wheelchair to be delivered to the ship from an outside vendor. The ladies had a wonderful time, and I was thrilled to see many photos of them on the ship and in Mexico, smiling and enjoying their time together," she said.
Sadly, the mother passed away this Fall. "I was very proud and honored to have been able to assist this family with making some of the last travel memories with their mom," said Thibault.
As a travel agent, Judith White knows her job is not to book a trip but to design an experience. "Not only that, my clients need to know that I care and that sometimes means going above and beyond," said White, of White Sand Travel.
So when her client, Kendra, came to her to design a honeymoon to Australia, White took care of all of the details. Unfortunately, however, Kendra missed one time-sensitive email. "By the time she responded, we had a 24 hour turn-around time or we would face increased pricing," said White.
This created a challenge since Kendra is an educator and is in the classroom all day. The solution: White drove 50 minutes one-way to get the paperwork and turn them in so the deadline was made and the increased pricing avoided.
This year, Margie Lenau's client had a rough year, with her husband's passing. "She wanted to go away to a wellness resort, so we choose the Miraval Resort in Tuscon, Arizona," said Lenau of Wonderland Travel. "We booked the resort, arranged the transfers, and signed up for a list of classes and activities for a much-needed time for reflection. I checked on this reservation frequently because I knew how important it was for her."
Unfortunately, at the last minute the resort called and said they had her date of arrival three days later than the date that Margie had booked. "They had also lost her list of class and activity requests," she said. "I had kept meticulous notes, and by referring to them we found that her first three days had been canceled in error by one of their employees."
Lenau insisted that they have a room for her. "They upgraded her to one of their best suites, which was extremely large with a private fitness room, fireplace, dining room, and had a great view," she said. "They also offered her upgraded classes at no cost to her."
Holiday times are also about bringing people together. For Debbie Santiago, owner of You Deserve Travel, this year brought her together with a longtime online friend.
"We were both on Christian Mingle -- two single gals -- and we hung out in the chat room," said Santiago. "Once all of our memberships ran out, we moved to Facebook and friended each other. I've seen pictures, chatted online, etc., but never face to face."
This year Santiago finally met her friend in person. "I shared, on Facebook, a trip I was taking in November," she said. "I shared the price with everyone and she brought her mom and aunt. It was a great time and it was awesome finally meeting her, spending quality time with her, etc."
Holidays are all about happy endings.
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