Tales From the Front Lines - Alicia Mitchell, Evening Star Travel

I NEED TO GET THEM BACK NOW.

This was the thought that was running through my head, the evening of March 11th, when I watched as US President Trump announced the restriction of travel from Europe to the USA. Fighting off the rising panic of realizing something much bigger was unfolding, I focused first on getting my clients back home.

I was there (along with many of my fellow Travel Advisors), desperately working from my dining room table on March 16th, when Prime Minister Trudeau said straight to the camera, addressing Canadians still abroad: "Get. Back. Now". At this point our worst fears were now a reality and we knew that things were not going to be the same for a very long time. Still at this point I don't think anybody was willing to say out loud how long it would really take.

Through those first few days and weeks, I would get my clients back home and cancel many upcoming trips. I was lucky. In the grand scheme of things I'm a small beans operator. I don't have a brick and mortar shop, and I don't have sub agents. But my business had been growing. I was an active and supportive member of my local business community. My four year old business that I had built literally from the ground up was on track for its most successful year yet - now it felt like ashes in my mouth. Where do we go from here?

The world of travel and tourism has and will continue to change because of the pandemic.

There is no true "getting back to normal."

There will be a new normal.

We have all been through something traumatic, not only with the pandemic impacting our business and livelihood, but also personally. Each one of us needs to find our own way, our own anchor to keep us grounded and weather the storm. The tourism industry was the first industry to be impacted, and it will be the last to recover. We are on our knees, ready to wobble over - but we will not fall. Keeping up with the changes from different countries and suppliers is exhausting, but it has revealed the critical need for travel advisors. It's made our profession valid in a way that we never could on our own.

One thing is certain, we are still in the middle of a pandemic. With the Canadian government recommendations to avoid non-essential travel, and the neverending changes and delays from suppliers, I made the difficult decision early on to not book any further travel at this time. I'm still working on cancelations and sorting out credits for existing clients, and I do have upcoming bookings that will need to be dealt with, but nothing new. I've essentially taken a hiatus to look after myself and my family. Again, I'm lucky. I'm in a position where I am able to do this. I know some who would say it's the wrong decision, but this was the right decision for me.

Now that fall is here, I am starting to work the "behind the scenes" aspect of my travel business. I have started studying to finally get my CTC, brushing up on supplier training, cleaning up my website, updating my CRM, learning more social media tips, and working on engaging my audience. All the while keeping an eye on the international travel scene, the Canadian government and various health agencies in eager anticipation of planning (and booking), future travel. I can't wait!

What I will remember the most from this experience; the shining light through all of it, is the camaraderie and support I've received from my fellow agents. I would have been in a very bad place if not for them. I've always found that in any industry, it's always about the people and connections you make, that is what gets us through times like these. And get through them we will.

At the end of this (whenever that will be), we will be stronger. Travel will come back with a vengeance, and we will be there.

When the time is right.