Stephen Smith, SVP, Leisure Strategy & Marketing for Direct Travel, announced that four of the group’s Canadian independent travel advisors have been named to the Condé Nast Travel Specialists list. Each has been included at least once before.
The list, which features some of the world’s best travel advisors and niche tour operators, recognizes top travel pros for their experience, expertise, resourcefulness and customer care. As Condé Nast expresses it: “They’ll pull off the impossible and spare you the logistics.”
“The fact that these Direct Travel advisors have been repeatedly showcased on the list is a tribute to the consistently superior service they provide,” says Joelle Goldman, VP Host Services and Luxury Hotel Program at Direct Travel. “They are clearly at the top of their game and we are tremendously proud of their achievements.” It’s evidence, Goldman added, that the supportive and collaborative culture of Direct nurtures the best in travel advisors.
The Canadian Direct Travel advisors are White-Rock, B.C.-based Ariane Henry (making her fourth appearance on the list); sisters Lisa and Nancy Zupancic of Toronto (in their third year); and Katherine Velan of Montreal (now celebrating her second year). Says Velan, “When I was little, my Dad subscribed to the Condé Nast Magazine, and I decided I wanted to become a writer and travel the world. I never became a writer, but became the best travel agent I could – and lucky for me they noticed!”
Adds Henry: “I am honoured to be recognized by Condé Nast Traveler once again. It's a privilege to be acknowledged alongside such esteemed colleagues in the industry.” And, according to the Zupancic sisters, “This recognition allows us to think we are on the right track with our care and inventing explorations for our clients. What is clear is we do not work in a vacuum and having wonderful clients and exceptional suppliers is the key.”
Two of their Direct Travel colleagues in the U.S. (Jennifer Fried of Cleveland, Ohio, celebrating her second year on the list, and Jesse Taylor of Naples, Fla. – a fourth-time honouree) - also appear on the list.
The complete list of Condé Nast Traveler Specialists can be found here.
