I was profiled by Travel Week travel trade magazine this week about my travel year. It’s been magical and busy, that’s for sure.
And let me know – how was your 2024?
By: Kathryn Folliott
TORONTO — How another year flew by so quickly, no one in the retail travel industry quite knows.
But here we are, just about ready to close the books on 2024 – and looking forward to what 2025 will bring.
Was 2024 a good year for you? Did the revenge travel trend stay aloft with your clients and keep your agency busy with calls and inquiries and bookings? Or did you see a plateau in demand, or even a drop? What sold well, and what was the most memorable trip you created for a client? And did you enjoy the best part of this industry – the travel! – with a few trips of your own?
We connected with three travel advisors to get their take on 2024. They shared news of some of their biggest bookings – and their biggest frustrations with the industry. See if their reflections on 2024 echo your own. And all the best for 2025!
Sheila Gallant-Halloran
Lush Life Travel, a Direct Travel affiliate
“If 2024 taught me anything, it’s that travel transforms.
“This year felt like my ‘make-up’ year for all the trips missed during the pandemic, and it was nothing short of extraordinary.
“I began by grounding myself with my annual visit to family in Newfoundland, then shifted to business growth at Virtuoso Travel Week in Vegas, where I was honoured as a top sustainability advisor.
“From there, I crisscrossed the globe, blending personal adventures with professional milestones.
“In Maui, I soaked up island beauty with my family, enjoying luaus, shave ice and beachside relaxation at the Fairmont Kea Lani. At Miraval Austin Resort & Spa in Texas, I immersed myself in wellness with floating sound meditation, equine therapy and archery. Career highlights included being named a Virtuoso Cruise Icon (top 1% of the network) and celebrating with a Windstar cruise to Tahiti, where my youngest daughter and I snorkelled, went scuba diving and jet-skied in paradise.
“In Costa Rica, as a top performer for Direct Travel, I earned a GEM (Going the Extra Mile) trip to the Andaz Papagayo, spying on monkeys and ziplining through the treetops. Exploring Istanbul and Rhodes on an Explora Journeys cruise with my cousin revealed the cultural richness of both destinations.
“Three Danube River cruises – on the AmaMagna, Scenic Amber and Uniworld’s River Duchess – helped me refine my expertise in river cruising. This October, I even restarted my women’s river cruise group, sailing the River Duchess, and I already have plans to lead another group on the Seine with AmaWaterways next year.
“But the ultimate highlight? An unforgettable expedition to Antarctica with my husband with Lindblad Expeditions. From witnessing Adélie, Gentoo and chinstrap penguins, to walking on ice and cruising through the iceberg graveyard, every moment was surreal. Seeing an emperor penguin was the icing on the cake!
“As a newly minted empty-nester, I’m embracing ‘chapter 3’ – the phase after schooling and raising kids. For me, this chapter is all about travel and helping others explore the world. I can’t wait to see what 2025 will bring!”
Let me know as you look back – how was your 2024 for travel?
What new goals and destinations do you have for 2025?
Let me know if I can help you dream big!
#AskSheila [email protected]