A Travel Agent's Thanksgiving

It's time to give thanks, so we asked travel agents all around the country to tell us what they are thankful for this season.

Working from Home

"I am thankful for a wonderful travel business that I run from home and am able to work around my family," said Denise Lorentzen of Dreams Travel Consulting in Hughson, California. "I am thankful for the wonderful clients that I have."

Loyal Clients

"As an agent, I am thankful for wonderful loyal clients," said Lori Wall of Destinations to Explore in Hyde Park, New York. "Obviously, your clients can make or break your business and I am so thankful for my awesome clients who support me and refer me to all of their friends and family."

"As a Travel Advisor, I'm most thankful for my loyal clients who have kept me in business and my bills paid for the last almost 20 years," said Elaine Carey, an affiliate of Travel Experts.

"I have lost many throughout the years due to death and not being able to travel any longer, but they've left friends, adult children and so forth to carry on. My family and friends who've put up with my missing or canceling appointments, dinner, or just meeting up because a client needs me: I love them all from the bottom of my heart and am so very thankful for each one."

Being Able to Travel

"I am thankful for having a couple of my bucket list places realized like Africa and Australia," said Stefany Di Manno Ceccato, DMC Travel Tailor in Charleston, South Carolina. "Connecting with the animals in their own natural habitat gave me memories of magical moments. Each time I think about my experiences there, it brings a smile to my face. I am also thankful for having met my husband in Venice, Italy, while on a work trip. If it weren't for that trip, my life and love would be different."

As the holiday season approaches, Lynn Belles of Travel Like An Architect in Rockford, Illinois is thankful that she has a getaway already scheduled for when it's over.

"Because of this, I can look forward to the hustle and bustle of the season," she said.

"I will even enjoy the snow. I can let myself flow into the holidays knowing that it is all temporary. This too shall pass. I can enjoy the festivities. But I won't overspend or overeat because I have an amazing Caribbean vacation coming at the end of January. Having a vacation on the horizon is always a good feeling, but it can really get you through the Christmas chaos like nothing else can."

Memories

"The travel industry every day is high on my list," said Rhonda Day, Vacations Franchise Owner and Vacation Specialist with Vacation Days Travel in Louisville, Kentucky. "Are there challenges? Of course. But think of all the things that go right: Lifetime memories on the beach with your new spouse, pina coladas on a girls' trip, visiting historical sites in Europe, grandma and grandpa taking the whole family on a cruise and the list goes on.

"A travel professional has the honor of being a part of the planning for those once-in-a-lifetime events. That's what gets me up and excited every day and for that I'm thankful."

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