Becky Bowman (Source: Becky Bowman)
Travel Advisor Success Stories focus on veteran advisors and how they achieved success. Here’s a look at Becky Bowman, owner of Classic Travel and Tours.
How did you get your start as a travel advisor?
For many years, I enjoyed doing my own travel research, but I would always call my local travel advisor who had a storefront in our area to book my trips.
After doing that for many years, the owner asked me if I’d be interested in becoming an independent agent with her agency. So, I agreed, and since then, I have built a very large clientele within the last 15 years or so.
I ended up purchasing the storefront just six months prior to the COVID pandemic. What a journey it has been since then!
How did you build your business over the years?
Since I purchased the agency, we’ve hit large sales volumes. Most of our clients hear about us through word of mouth or our Facebook page and website.
We have many, many repeat clients who are very loyal to my agency. My husband and I have a strong community presence, so that helps when clients see us out and about. There is hardly ever a time that I go somewhere in our community and someone doesn’t come up to me and start talking about travel.
What characteristics make you a successful advisor?
Attention to detail – and I always try to be very personable with our clients, and not so much business-focused. I feel clients appreciate the casual way in which I relate to them.
What has been your greatest challenge?
My greatest challenge was purchasing an existing storefront agency, and then, just six short months later, having the COVID pandemic hit. It was especially difficult because I was a new owner and could not keep the full-time staff.
I had to design a new business model from scratch to keep my business alive. This was extremely challenging as a brand-new owner.
But we have been growing by leaps and bounds since recovering from COVID.
What have been your greatest accomplishments?
My greatest accomplishments include receiving numerous awards as a top producer for Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection.
We recently joined MAST Travel Network, and within the very first year, my agency received All-Star Status.
My team has been an Elite Diamond Preferred agency with ALG Vacations for several years.
I’ve been lucky enough to build strong relationships with the travel advisors associated with my agency. They are all very committed to providing amazing customer service.
What tips can you provide advisors new to the industry?
Be patient with every aspect of travel. It can take several years of learning and growing your client base to become a top-producing travel advisor.
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