John Schmitt, Jr. (Source: John Schmitt, Jr.)
Success Stories focus on veteran travel advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at John Schmitt, Jr., CTC, owner of Traverse, Mich.-based Grand Traverse Travel, an affiliate of The Affluent Traveler Collection.
How did you get your start as a travel advisor?
I began my career in travel as a young man. I began stamping brochures and answering phones at our family agency in the 1970s. Ultimately, I began selling travel at the age of 16 in 1981 and I have been selling travel for 43 years.
How did you build your business over the years?
Our business developed as I observed the travelers quest for value. As the industry has grown over the past 40 years, the best value in travel, in my opinion, is in the luxury travel segment. For this reason, we are now a luxury-only agency.
What characteristic make you a successful advisor?
Listening.
What have been your greatest challenges been?
Helping travelers understand the complexities of the industry has been a great challenge. Many details within the travel business simply don’t make good sense. While I understand why things are the way that they are, travelers at times just don’t.
What have your greatest accomplishments been?
One of my greatest accomplishments in my career has been the evolution from a full-service ‘everything for everyone’ agency to a luxury-only agency.
What tips can you provide advisors new to the industry?
Don’t stop learning – but only learn what will allow you to be most successful in your niche. Develop solid relationships with the suppliers that you sell. Treat them as your own partners.
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