Travel Advisors are Back in Style!

With the onset of the internet and the mindset of DIYs (do it yourselfers), the profession of being a travel advisor (aka travel agent), was determined by many to be a dying industry. But, as owner of Accent on Travel, Annette Nero Stellhorn, will attest, nothing could be further from the truth.

To entice those looking for a new long-term career, Accent on Travel will be hosting a presentation for those seriously interested in a long-term career as a professional travel advisor entitled – “Day in the Life of a Professional Travel Advisor” with Q & A to follow.

Says Stellhorn, “For most people, it is hard to fathom selling and managing over a million dollars of travel products every month. But that is exactly what is happening at Accent on Travel. We were already increasing our client base in double digits prior to the pandemic, but now, with travelers weary of dealing with the hassles of managing their own travel, saving little or no money, travel professionals are doing more and more of the travel components for our existing clients, and new ones coming to us daily.”

“Our industry is in growth mode” Stellhorn continues. “2019 was the best year ever for travel companies and we surpassed that before the fall even began in 2022. Even though we kept our team at the same size, and even hired during the pandemic expecting the business to come back, we are still in need of staff, both new to the industry and those experienced travel professionals looking for growth career moves.”

“Booking your own trip or the trip for a few friends or relatives might allow you to ‘have some wrinkles’ that only a professional would have known to correct ahead of time. But, when you get paid to consult, reserve, and manage that same trip, the expectations and results are quite a bit higher. That’s why our vetting process for new team members includes not only looking for those who can speak of travel experiences with confidence after their own training, but also those who have a sincere desire to help people be happy; hold a deep curiosity and respect for our world; like a team style work environment; are social by nature in their community; are quick learners; and have the ‘stick with it’ work ethic.”

Stellhorn notes that “Yes, the lifestyle can be amazing. When you look at an ‘around the world by private jet journey’ vacation for a client and realize you have been everywhere on the itinerary, it reminds you how lucky you are to be a travel advisor.”

She adds “I started at age 29 and after being an advisor for over 33 years, I have no regrets. The feeling of fulfillment in my ‘job’ is overwhelming some days and has overflowed into my personal life making a positive and long-term impact on my family’s lives. You cannot say that about most careers. It can take a few years of working full time for a travel advisor to be highly proficient, but even our Directors of First Impressions who answer the phones and assist our certified travel advisors enjoy that sense of fulfillment every time a guest returns saying it was ‘their best travel experience ever’. That’s enough of an initiative to plow through additional training about the world we live in and the best travel opportunities out there. The learning as a professional travel advisor or cruise consultant continues for a lifetime.”

For those interested in a rewarding career path as part of the Accent on Travel team, you are invited to a complimentary event entitled “A Day in the Life of a Travel Advisor” on January 11th, 6 PM at Kings Creek Country Club. This is a small group presentation, so seating is very limited.

Please contact Amanda Wobeter at 302-703-0126 or email her at [email protected].