Success Stories focus on veteran travel advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at Elizabeth Henn, founder of LBAC Travel in Sayville, NY.
How did you get your start as a travel advisor?
My passion for travel began early, tracing back to childhood road trips to Walt Disney World with my grandparents. I still remember the excitement and wonder I felt stepping into the Magic Kingdom for the first time. That sense of discovery fueled my desire to make travel dreams come true.
I knew I wanted to make a career out of helping others plan and book epic adventures, but the world had other plans for me for several years as I pursued a career in education.
In 1997, I got my start in the travel industry as an outside agent for a local hometown agency. I learned the ropes and excelled at putting together customized itineraries for clients. By 2007, after gaining a decade of experience and building a loyal client base, I decided to open my own travel agency, LBAC Travel. Combining years of experience with personalized customer service, LBAC Travel specializes in crafting one-of-a-kind luxury and multigenerational travel experiences all over the world.
How did you build your business over the years?
It has been extremely rewarding to have started from just me to now having a talented team of LBAC travel advisors across the US who help clients plan their dream vacations. We have grown from a small local business to one that serves clients across the country and around the world. I attribute our growth to providing exceptional customer service, listening to what clients want and going the extra mile for them. I’m proud that many of our clients are repeat customers and refer their friends and family to us. As we continue to grow, my team and I remain committed to making each travel experience memorable for every client.
What characteristics make you a successful advisor?
The characteristics that help make me a successful travel advisor are my knowledge and passion for travel along with dedication to my clients. I go above and beyond to ensure each client has a customized vacation that fits their unique interests and budget. My attention to detail and organizational skills allow me to efficiently research and compare various destination options and utilize supplier resources to find the perfect fit. Whether it’s a relaxing beach getaway or an adventurous mountain excursion, I craft personalized itineraries tailored to each traveler. The LBAC Travel commitment to five-star service is why clients rave about their experiences and keep coming back year after year.
What have been your greatest challenges been?
One of the greatest challenges I have faced over the years is constantly feeling the need to defend why travelers should use a travel advisor rather than just booking trips themselves online. Many feel they can plan entire vacations through a few clicks without needing our help. While convenient websites and apps have their place, they simply don’t offer the customized guidance and the reassurance an advisor provides.
However, until licensing and educational requirements exist for all in this industry, travelers will remain skeptical about professional travel planning. I wholeheartedly believe an advisor’s role is essential for navigating the increasingly complex world of travel. We translate our specialized skills into dream vacations. But gaining widespread trust is an uphill battle without formal industry structures. My goal is keeping travelers educated on the very tangible benefits we offer. But I look forward to the day my/our expertise is assumed rather than questioned.
What have your greatest accomplishments been?
My greatest accomplishment is that I have been able to fulfill my childhood dream of becoming a travel agent and make it a full-time career. I am proudest of the expert travel advisors that make up the LBAC Travel team. As the saying goes, ‘Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much,’ and that is exactly what my team accomplishes day in and day out. I cannot think of a more rewarding job to have and I am grateful every day for the opportunity to be a small part of the vacation memories clients are creating – memories that will last a lifetime.
What tips can you provide advisors new to the industry?
Pick a niche and master that specific type of travel planning.
Relationships are key. Get to know hotel managers, tour guides and other travel professionals. These contacts provide invaluable resources and can help you every step of the way in crafting incredible vacations.
Be sure to go above and beyond for your clients. Follow up is key when they return so you are ever present in their minds when it is time for them to travel next.
Always remember – as a good travel advisor you are not just selling trips, you are curating dream vacations. You have the profound privilege of helping to create life-changing, perspective-expanding experiences for your clients. The destinations you recommend and trips you plan can rejuvenate, educate, heal and transform those who embark on them.
Approach this work with reverence for the depth of impact you can have. Let curiosity, kindness and care guide the way. Learn continuously – about places, cultures and most importantly people – so that you might serve each client in such a way that every trip achieves its greatest potential.
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