Kathy Grant
Kenosha,WI
Summary
Dynamic travel professional with proven expertise in itinerary development and exceptional communication, honed at LaMacchia Travel Agency and other leading firms. Excelled in building lasting client relationships and delivering personalized travel solutions, significantly enhancing customer satisfaction. Skilled in international reservations and leveraging strong interpersonal skills to exceed travel goals.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
Work History
Travel Advisor
LaMacchia Travel Agency
Kenosha, WI
01.2020 - Current
- Advised clients on travel destinations, transportation options, accommodations, and activities available at their destination.
- Researched and compared different travel packages to ensure the best value for customers' money.
- Assisted with booking flights, hotels, rental cars and other reservations.
- Attended training sessions, familiarization trips and site inspections to maintain current industry knowledge and gain insight into tourism trends.
- Researched cruises, airfare options and siteseeing options to best meet client expectations.
Manager of Travel Agency
Travel Market Vacations
Racine, WI
08.2013 - 12.2019
- Developed and implemented marketing strategies to increase customer base and revenue.
- Organized travel arrangements for clients, such as scheduling flights, booking hotels, and making car rental reservations.
- Provided customers with detailed information about available travel packages and options.
- Managed daily operations of the travel agency including staff management and budgeting.
- Maintained relationships with airlines, hotels, cruise lines, insurance providers, and other vendors in order to secure competitive pricing for customers.
- Assisted customers in resolving any issues that arose during their travels.
Manager, Travel Agency
Fox World Travel
Kenosha, WI
11.2011 - 07.2013
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Coached, mentored and trained team members in order to improve their job performance.
- Provided leadership during times of organizational change or crisis situations.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activity to inform business strategy.
- Resolved any issues related to travel plans and services.
- Responded promptly to customer inquiries via phone, email or in-person contact.
- Provided customers with detailed information about travel destinations and packages.
- Developed customized travel plans to meet customer needs and preferences.
- Created itineraries for customers, including flight bookings, car rentals and hotel reservations.
Independent Travel Sales Contractor
Oak Creek Travel
Oak Creek, WI
07.2003 - 11.2011
- Advised clients on travel destinations, transportation options, accommodations, and activities available at their destination.
- Researched and compared different travel packages to ensure the best value for customers' money.
- Assisted with booking flights, hotels, rental cars and other reservations.
- Provided customers with detailed information about various tourist attractions and activities in different countries around the world.
- Created itineraries tailored to each customer's individual needs and preferences.
Travel Advisor
Veltra Travel Service
Racine, WI
02.1986 - 07.2003
- Advised clients on travel destinations, transportation options, accommodations, and activities available at their destination.
- Researched and compared different travel packages to ensure the best value for customers' money.
- Assisted with booking flights, hotels, rental cars and other reservations.
- Provided customers with detailed information about various tourist attractions and activities in different countries around the world.
- Created itineraries tailored to each customer's individual needs and preferences.
- Processed payments using a variety of methods including cash, credit cards or online payment services.
- Answered inquiries from customers regarding visa requirements, passport regulations, health precautions, currency exchange rates, climate conditions and other related topics.
- Prepared itineraries to deliver travel arrangements to clients.
- Built long-term client relationships to generate repeat business and referrals.
Travel Advisor
Bergner's Travel
Racine, WI
04.1984 - 02.1986
- Contacted preferred suppliers for air, hotel and ground transportation to receive incentives, upgrades and other amenities for clients.
- Booked transportation using booking engines and Sabre GDS, made hotel reservations and collected payments to optimize trip planning.
- Researched cruises, airfare options and siteseeing options to best meet client expectations.
- Provided travel brochures and publications to build relationships, drive more traffic and bookings and showcase expertise.
Education
Certified Travel Consultant - Tourism And Travel Management
Northwest Schools
Portland, OR03-1983
High School Diploma -
Case High School
Racine, WI06-1981
Business Management
UW Parkside
Kenosha, WISkills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Excellent customer service
- Exceptional communication
- Itinerary development
- International reservations
- Overseas tours
- Leisure travel
- Travel insurance
- Travel packages
- Travel research
- Client relationship building
- Geography
Affiliations
- I am an excellent multi-tasker!
Accomplishments
- CTC degree
- Aussie Specialist
- Hawaii Destination Specialist
- Scenic River Cruise Specialist
- Disney College of Knowledge
- ALGV Pro Certified Specialist
- Certified Sandals Specialist
- Destinations that I have traveled to-
- Mexico-Cancun, Riviera Maya, Ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel
- Jamaica
- Dominican Republic
- Bahamas
- Puerto Rico
- Disney World (multiple times)
- Hawaii
- Hungary
- Austria
- Germany
- The Netherlands
- France
- England
- Greece
- Italy
Timeline
Travel Advisor
LaMacchia Travel Agency
01.2020 - Current
Manager of Travel Agency
Travel Market Vacations
08.2013 - 12.2019
Manager, Travel Agency
Fox World Travel
11.2011 - 07.2013
Independent Travel Sales Contractor
Oak Creek Travel
07.2003 - 11.2011
Travel Advisor
Veltra Travel Service
02.1986 - 07.2003
Travel Advisor
Bergner's Travel
04.1984 - 02.1986
Certified Travel Consultant - Tourism And Travel Management
Northwest Schools
High School Diploma -
Case High School
Business Management
UW Parkside
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