Susan Tanzman has been in the travel industry more than 30 years
and with Los Angeles-based Martin’s Travel since 1974. Recently,
the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) named Tanzman 2005’s
Travel Agent of the Year. Tanzman shares with TravelAge West how
she’s seen the industry change and her insights into travel’s
future.
You were recently named ASTA’s “Travel Agent of the
Year” for 2005, what was that like?
It’s been the most exciting award or honor I’ve gotten in all
the years I’ve been a travel agent.
Have you seen an increase in business?
Definitely. There are more people coming into the office the
consumer takes it really seriously. It’s been an amazing thing. A
famous, Oscar-winning screenwriter even selected Martin’s Travel
based on the award.
How have you seen the travel industry change over the
years?
It’s completely changed. It’s not the same industry. Now more
than ever it’s your expertise, your knowledge, that’s going to
secure your clients and the ability to be successful in this
industry.
Travel agents have to know more than the consumer. With the
Internet, consumers who go online are now educated consumers. We as
an industry have to be more educated and familiar with our
destinations and have to really add value to our customers’
experience in order for them to understand that the travel agent is
somebody you can’t plan a vacation without.
What do you see happening with the rise in home-based
agents?
Unfortunately, I think a lot of people find the idea of travel
exciting and want to be in the business. But they don’t have a clue
of how difficult it really is to be a travel agent and know so much
about so many different places in the world. Many people don’t know
how to offer clients a service they can’t get anywhere else.
Home-based doesn’t mean anything to me. What means something is
experience it doesn’t matter if you do it from your home or from an
office.
Any new destinations you’re promoting in the near
future?
One of my passions has always been Portugal. We’ve been doing a
lot of individual trips there, like wine tours. We’re doing more of
Portugal than we’ve ever done before.
| Tanzman's He Ola Pono Tour
Tanzman also created a unique Hawaiian tour focusing on women and
their quest for balance in life.
During the He Ola Pono Tour, guests spend five nights at Turtle
Bay Resort in Oahu, while experiencing a week of Hawaiian healing
ways that include tapping vital energy flows, releasing obstacles,
opening to reiki, guided lessons of connecting with self and spirit
and stress-reducing techniques. The six-day program will be conducted by Denise Moreland,
Maureen Puua O’Shaunghessy, Sheila O’Malley and Tanzman. Several of
the leaders are renowned through the state for their knowledge of
ancient Hawaiian healing practices, cultural traditions and
philosophies. “He Ola Pono is a rare chance for self discovery and healing
that came out of the experience I had in battling cancer,” said
Tanzman. “Whether the women who come on these weeklong missions are
looking for direct curative measures or just a way to balance their
lives with a wholeness they will not find elsewhere, we strongly
recommend this experience as a way to stop, embrace and discover
yourself and your inner healing spirit.” The tour runs $2,995 per person, double, and $3,350 with air
from the West Coast. Rates include all taxes and amenities. The
women-only retreats are limited to 20 participants. All but two meals are included, as well as a lomi-lomi and/or
reiki treatment, workshops, classes and airport transfers. Departure dates for this year include Sept. 16-21, Oct. 8-13 and
Nov. 5-10. 800-999-7124
www.martinstravel.ensembletravel.com |
