Behind every successful travel advisor is a story of passion, perseverance, and a genuine love of helping people create unforgettable vacations. At Academy Travel, we are proud to have a team of talented advisors who have built rewarding careers while doing what they love. In this Q&A, we’re sitting down with one of our longtime, successful Academy Travel agents to talk about their journey, their experience with the agency, what they have learned along the way, and what it takes to build a thriving travel business. Whether you’re an aspiring travel advisor or simply curious about what it’s like to turn a love of travel into a career, their story offers an inside look at the opportunities, challenges, and rewards that come with being part of the Academy Travel team. Meet Kimmy, from Alabama!
- What made you choose to become an Academy travel agent? I’ve been going to Disney World my entire life. When I decided to become a vacation planner, I researched a few agencies and quickly discovered that Academy Travel is the best in the industry.
- What were your biggest fears or misconceptions before starting? At first, my biggest fear was “What if no one wants to book a trip with me?” “How am I going to get clients?”
- What does a typical week look like for you now vs. when you first started? When I first started, I wasn’t really sure what the best system would be to organize my business. Now, I have 2 planners, about 10 binders, electronic spreadsheets, and a million sticky notes! It may sound old school, but it works for me.
- What was the hardest part of your first 90 days? The hardest part of getting started was spreading the word about my new adventure as a travel planner. Word of mouth takes a while, but it’s what grows the business.
- What’s something you wish you had done differently in the beginning? If I could go back and change one thing, I would utilize social media more from the very beginning to market myself.
- How did you land your very first booking? My first booking was shortly after I started with Academy Travel. It was one of my closest friends, and it was for two tickets to Disneyland. I will always be thankful to her for being my first client.
- Where do most of your clients come from (social media, referrals, etc.)? I never thought I would say this, but most of my clients actually come from social media. The first couple of years, it was word-of-mouth through friends. Now, most of the people I book are people I have never met. Some of my clients have actually become good friends, and that’s such a fun part of the job!
- What’s your process for turning an inquiry into a booked trip? I think communication is definitely key. When someone reaches out to me, I immediately respond. People love a prompt reply and they appreciate someone who is personable. I never want to be seen as a “sales” person. I want to be seen as a friend who is helping them book and plan special memories.
- What do you say to clients who are “just looking” but not ready to commit? I never try to be pushy in any way. However, I do make sure that potential clients know the benefits of booking sooner rather than later. I point out all available promotions and make sure they know that resort availability could be gone at any time.
- What’s your approach to planning a complex trip? When I have had more complex, larger groups to plan a trip for, I take as many notes as possible. I make sure to know exactly what they want and what they expect. And it’s a comfort to know the leadership team at Academy Travel is there to help me in any way!
- What tools or systems do you use daily to stay organized? I am so old school! I still use two paper pencil planning books. And there aren’t enough sticky notes in the world for me!
- How do you deal with difficult clients or complaints? It is important to handle every client with professionalism, patience, and empathy. Planning a vacation can be stressful, and it is my job to help alleviate some of that stress.
- Can you share a time something went wrong and how you fixed it? Just recently, a sweet family called me from their restaurant at Disney World. The mom was in tears. They had driven themselves to the restaurant and got lost on the way. They were 25 minutes late, and the hostess said she could not seat them and that they would be charged the no-show fee. Clearly, this was not going to be acceptable to me! The mom handed her phone to the hostess, and I was able to get them seated within 10 minutes. It had rained all day, the family was tired, and this was the first day of their trip. I was so thankful that it worked out for them.
- How do you handle cancellations or last-minute changes? Of course it is always disappointing when someone cancels their trip. Not only for me, but also for them. I handle these situations with as much understanding as possible. And, most of the time, I am able to rebook them to a later date that works better for them.
- What habits or actions contributed most to your income growth? Being consistent has definitely helped my travel business grow. Posting on social media as much as possible is important. Showing up even on days when I don’t feel like it pays off in the long run.
- What advice would you give someone who wants to make this a full-time career? It takes a while to build a solid client base. Don’t get discouraged and don’t give up! Reach out to other, more seasoned agents who have been doing this longer than you have.
- How do you set boundaries with clients & avoid burnout? Honestly, it took me a while to figure out the perfect work-life balance. I have informal work hours now. Unless it is a true Disney emergency, I try to limit responding to clients unless it is within certain hours of the day. That helps me avoid burnout, which in the long run is beneficial to my clients as well.
- What’s the #1 thing a new agent should focus on in their first 30 days? The number one thing to focus on in your first 30 days as an agent is marketing! Get a few ‘hype’ people in your life. Have them help you spread the word that you are now a travel agent. Work Disney into every conversation you have! Wear Disney clothes to the grocery store. Your goal is for people to immediately think of you when they hear the word Disney.
- If someone is on the fence about joining, what would you tell them? Do it! There is literally no downside. You are surrounded by people who love the same things you do. And the joy you will have in helping other people plan special vacations is beyond what you can imagine.
- Why did you choose Academy over other host agencies? I reached out to a few agencies when I was thinking about going down this path. Academy Travel just felt right. The longer I am here, the more I realize that I am truly with the best agency in the travel industry. And I love the fact that it is a family-run business.
- What support or training made the biggest difference for you? There are endless training opportunities provided for us at Academy Travel. But honestly, what has made the biggest difference to me is the leadership team. Being personal friends with Lisa is such a blessing. She and her family are always there for me when I need them.
- What destinations do you specialize in and why? I specialize in Disney destinations. Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Disney Aulani in Hawaii. My passion lies with all things Disney. It’s just part of who I am. When I book a Disney trip for someone, I’m helping them create an experience. I put as much love and care into planning Disney trips for other people as I do my own.
- Walt Disney World or Disney Cruise Line? Tell us why! Disney World! I know cruises are fabulous, but there’s no other feeling in the world like being inside the Disney bubble.
- Which Disney resort is your favorite & why? Oh my goodness! I can’t pick just one favorite resort. We love Beach Club because of its close walking proximity to Epcot. We love the Polynesian because it’s the Polynesian! The Magic Kingdom resorts and the Epcot resorts are our favorites.
- Which Disney park is your favorite & which attraction is a must-do for you?! As much as I love Epcot, if I had to pick just one, I would pick Magic Kingdom. It’s the classic. It has the most rides. Pirates of the Caribbean will always be my favorite. I remember riding Pirates with my parents when I was a kid. Happy memories. That’s what makes Disney World so very special!
Kimmy’s Disney Tips & Tricks
A successful career in travel is about so much more than booking vacations. It is about building relationships, creating unforgettable experiences, continuing to learn, and having a team behind you every step of the way. Our advisors’ stories are a testament to what is possible when passion is paired with the right support and resources. We are proud to celebrate the dedication and success of our Academy Travel agents and the incredible vacations they help make possible every day. If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your love of travel into a rewarding career, there’s never been a better time to explore what your future could look like with Academy Travel. Click here to learn more and apply to join our team! Want to stay up to date with all theme park & cruise line news? We’ve got you covered. Subscribe to our newsletter and be sure to follow our media partner, The Kingdom Insider!
