“Power of You” Winner Demonstrates Dedication and Creativity That Keeps Customers Coming Back
SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 26, 2007–Sabre Travel Network, the world’s largest and most rewarding marketplace for buying and selling travel, today announced travel agent Yannick Gonzalez of Luxury Travel and Vacations as the winner of “The Power of You” Award, an awards program created by Sabre to recognize exceptional travel agent performance. Gonzalez, based in Connecticut, is a 31-year industry veteran and is described by her colleagues as the essence of the ideal travel agent.
“Yannick Gonzalez is the epitome of what every agency wants working for them. She goes above and beyond for her clients,” said Elissa Fallo, owner, Luxury Travel and Vacations. “She is truly an example of dedication and passion, and she deserves to be rewarded for all the time and dedication she puts into her job. She doesn’t just book vacations – she books experiences and memories for her clients.”
Starting in February, travel professionals nominated other industry veterans who personify a commitment to excellence, dedication to client service, a deep well of travel industry knowledge, and, above all, a passion for travel. Judges looked for a nominee with customer service that garnered loyal customers, use of innovative technologies to bring quantifiable benefits to the agency and customers, and leadership among peers leading towards a shift in customer perception.
“I am very honored to have been nominated for this award,” said Gonazalez. “This is very meaningful to be recognized this way. What an unexpected surprise! I am truly blessed to be doing what I love.”
Some specific examples of Gonzalez's dedication include:
-- Developing creative solutions like individual luggage tags and
travel packets to make clients happy and better meet their
needs.
-- Coming in every day urging co-workers to consider what the
agency can do to better serve clients and drive business to
the agency - actions that result in potential clients seeking
Gonzalez based on word-of-mouth recommendations.
-- Getting up in the middle of the night to make a last minute
change to bookings and remaining connected with clients and
their travel needs even while on vacation.
“Yannick exemplifies all the characteristics it takes to succeed in the ever-changing travel marketplace – drive, dedication and embrace of change and technology. We’re proud to recognize and celebrate her commitment to her agency, customers and the travel industry,” said Chris Kroeger, senior vice president of Sabre Travel Network.
Other nominees also showed dedication, creativity, and, most importantly, a customer-focused approach. Below are just a few of their examples:
-- One agency cited an agent's resourcefulness and vast
experience as the only reason the company survived the recent
changes in the travel industry.
-- When a wholesaler failed to get a customer's airline tickets
to the office in time, a nominated agent arranged for courier
delivery to the client at the airport. When this failed, the
agent relentlessly tracked the package to cargo at the
international airport, collected the package, and personally
presented it to the customer at the check-in counter. The
customer was absolutely blown away at how far above and beyond
her duty the agent had gone to ensure no further
disappointment was associated with the situation.
-- Another agency cited one of its agent's customer dedications
by noting that she behaves in a way that leads her co-workers
to believe she would change weather patterns for her clients
if at all possible.
-- While planning a vacation for a couple who wanted to go to
South America, a nominated travel agent dealt with her
client's indecision on the exact destination by immersing
herself in information on tour companies and sightseeing tours
for each considered destination. Once the destination was
settled, the agent pulled together a travel kit for the
clients including often forgotten items like a pen, travel
first aide kit, journal, disposable ponchos, photo album,
flash light, whistle, mosquito bite medicine and translation
book.
-- Yet another agent was cited for the fundraising travel
programs he offers to non-profit organizations. In one year
alone, the agent raised $75,000 through his program.
“These examples from the nominees of ‘The Power of You’ award is another way Sabre is constantly expanding our commitment to building a better agency community through knowledge, networking and fun,” added Kroeger.
Sabre Travel Network announced the winner of the contest during Kroeger’s keynote speech at the American Society of Travel Agents’ (ASTA) International Destination Expo on March 25 in JeJu, South Korea. Prizes awarded to the winners include a trip voucher for TripTailor, Travel Institute training dollars, an office lunch, and a one-year ASTA membership.
About Sabre Travel Network
Sabre Travel Network, a Sabre Holdings company, provides the most comprehensive end-to-end solutions for corporate and leisure travel. The Sabre GDS is the foundation for these solutions, providing a ready-built efficient marketplace that connects travel suppliers, including hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotels, with more than 50,000 travel agency locations.
Key brands of Sabre Travel Network include GetThere, for corporate travel reservation technology; Jurni Network, a consortium of leisure travel agencies providing marketing and promotion services; Nexion, a host agency; SynXis, for hotel reservation management, distribution and technology services; and TRAMS, mid- and back-office solutions and marketing services for travel agencies. Sabre Travel Network also markets TripTailor, a travel wholesaler providing dynamic packaging for the travel agency marketplace.
Sabre Holdings (NYSE:TSG) connects people with the world’s greatest travel possibilities by retailing travel products and providing distribution and technology solutions for the travel industry. More information about Sabre Holdings is available at http://www.sabre-holdings.com.
CONTACT: Sabre Travel Network
Media Contact:
Kathryn Hayden, 682-605-2252
kathryn.haygen@sabre-holdings.com
SOURCE: Sabre Travel Network
