The last few days in our office I realized why I am enjoying the travel business so much more this year than last year. This year it’s more fun. We have been doing this for a year and people know where we are and are coming in regularly. Comparing the last couple of days to the same time period last year reminded me that last year was all about training and learning and just getting started. Most days last year I felt I was in over my head. This year has been all about meeting new people and arranging their travel…and having fun!

Today for instance I got to meet another member of a bunch of wonderful women who range in age from 66 to 89 (I can mention their ages because I would NEVER mention their names)  who came in late last week to book a cruise for next October. I have now met five of them and loved every minute of helping them plan their cruise and the air arrangements to get there. Between their three visits to the office so far, I have made five new friends.

Then yesterday, another client (who is becoming a friend) called to ask if she could bring in her new Mac and have me help her find some info on Cruise Critic. Had a great time doing that. In the meantime, I booked cruises for the ladies, talked with the Royal Caribbean Business Development Manager (who is a GREAT guy) who came in to see our fearless leader. Found out some facts I needed to know for still another client about things for them to do that are…you guessed it—fun!

Then I finished up today by meeting two other client friends at Starbucks to talk about their South America cruise that they just returned from. They shared some great recommendations for any other traveler that comes in who is going in that direction.

And lastly, earlier this morning, when I was talking to our fearless leader we were discussing why we do this job. I told him that I know there are many reasons our travel consultants do this job but for me, it’s because every day…it’s fun. I have spent the last 37 years working in the publishing industry where the most common contact I had with customers/clients was when they had problems. When they were facing deadlines. It’s altogether different in travel. In travel, people are calling us because they want to go on vacation. They want to have fun. It’s one of the best jobs I have ever had…helping people have fun.

Even though you’re growing up, you should never stop having fun. –Nina Dobrev