Amstar DMC is proud of the relationships we have with professional Travel Advisors, partnering with them to ensure incredible vacations and successful travel programs for their clients. We are delighted to join the travel world in celebrating their invaluable contribution to the travel industry.
We also recognize the important role travel advisors play in advancing the recognition and quality of the Amstar brand. Each partnership we forge with a Travel Advisor is unique, but more than that, we like to think they have become a part of the Amstar family. In honor of Travel Advisor Appreciation Month, we interviewed two travel advisors whose passion and commitment to their clients make their work stand out.
Meet Syreeta Grose, Travel Professional, and Meetings and Events Planner for over 15 years, specializing in MICE and large groups and owner of Grose Travel Meetings and Events; and Tom Brussow, the President and Owner of Sunsational Vacation Marketing, who has enjoyed a 30+ year career in the travel industry.
1. What inspired you to become a travel advisor and for how long have you been doing it?
Syreeta Grose: I was inspired to become a TA after taking my first trip in 2005. I researched for weeks! I have always been one to want to learn everything. I also had very small children and wanted to give them experiences I never had. Once touching a beach with real turquoise blue waters, I was hooked. After seeing my pictures, I started helping friends do the same and it became one of the greatest things in my life to see others happy with something I helped make happen. Now I have been an advisor for 16 years.
Tom Brussow: It was 2010 and an opportunity to start my own company presented itself. Prior to that time, I had worked in sales and business development managing key travel agency accounts. With that knowledge and many contacts in the industry, I was confident I could be successful. Twelve years later, we are going strong and having our best year ever.
2. What’s your biggest motivation to succeed as a Travel Advisor?
Syreeta Grose: I always want my clients to return home satisfied with what they paid for when they book and experience Grose Travel Services. Some of these individuals save months and even years for a trip. Some can only vacation every 1 to 2 years. Even those well-traveled, I do everything in my power for them to have a memorable and dream come true vacation. I qualify them and then push them out of their comfort zone. The purpose of a vacation is to leave home life there and experience things you can’t at home.
Tom Brussow: The biggest motivation is to continue to sustain and grow the business and the Sunsational Beach Vacation brand that I created. There is personal pride in overcoming obstacles and achieving success in a very difficult environment (and recently) under the worst possible business conditions.
3. What’s your personal definition of outstanding customer service?
Syreeta Grose: My goal is to always exceed and overachieve. I´m very transparent and honest with my guests. I will not send them anywhere I wouldn’t stay myself, anywhere I don’t have a relationship with, and will not book ANYONE without insurance. I feel it is my job to, while servicing them, also look out for their well-being. They always, while in the destination, have 24/7 access to me. I send notes and amenities of thanks and appreciation while at the destination and when they return. Starting in the 3rd quarter of this year, we will be implementing a rewards program for repeat clients.
Tom Brussow: We are in the business of making people’s dreams come true. Vacations are both aspirational and meaningful to our clients in so many ways. Knowing that we apply all of our knowledge, personal experience, and care to ensure that the customer is given the best possible product options and information so that they can make an informed buying decision. Once the sale is closed, we follow through on all of the small, but important, details to help ensure they have the best possible vacation experience. And, if things go wrong, we are there to jump into action to help resolve any issue.
4. How does Amstar help you to achieve your goals?
Syreeta Grose: Amstar’s expertise and customer service were the first things I ever experienced as a consumer as I booked my first trip with Apple Vacations. Back then you knew you were going to be ok as soon as you saw those flowered shirts. Once I became a TA, I learned and researched everything Amstar offered. Amstar provides modern and safe transfers and excursions and experiences for my clients, and I feel confident, once my client lands at their destination, that Amstar acts as an extension of me. From the signs to decorated vehicles and personal transport services, I know that once I book that trip for my client, Amstar is the icing on the cake that bridges it all together.
Tom Brussow: Having strong relationships at all levels of the company is extremely important. We rely on the availability of the Amstar products and teams in the destinations to not only provide transportation and tours but also to support the needs of the clients while on vacation. This helps to create a positive experience which results in happy customers. Those customers come back to us for future trips and refer their family and friends, which has a huge impact on our business.
5. Why do you recommend Amstar to your clients?
Syreeta Grose: I need someone in the destination I can absolutely trust my clients to and will act on my behalf and Amstar is that for me. From great in-house employees like Adrian and Shayla in CUN and Angeline in MBJ and Michelle, Stewart, and Joseph in PUJ, to customer-facing employees like Gloria Lisbeth, Justo, and Soriano, I can keep going and going. The people are what make Amstar and the trust I have in them keeps my clients happy. Thank you for always making me look like a rockstar!
Tom Brussow: First, we trust that AmStar will take care of the customer and be there with reliable service. In addition, Amstar is in almost every beach destination where we sell, so there is an ease and consistency of working with one company across multiple destinations. Also, I am lucky to have a great relationship with my Amstar BDM (Business Development Manager) who supports me and keeps me informed. Finally, I work together on my groups with some excellent Amstar team members, especially in Punta Cana and Jamaica, who have done an excellent job delivering all the special services that groups need with private transportation, private excursions, etc.
Thanks so much to Syreeta and Tom for sharing their experiences.
There’s no doubt when we say that Travel Advisors contribute to the positive experiences that travelers enjoy across the globe. More now than ever, it is important for travelers to consult a travel advisor for their upcoming trips, especially when traveling internationally. It cannot be stressed enough the important role travel advisors play in providing both leisure and corporate clients destination expertise, safe travel options, and peace of mind.
On behalf of the entire Amstar DMC network – thank you Travel Advisors! We salute you for all that you do to advance the travel industry and passionately serve the common goal we share of delivering fantastic travel experiences.
