ADVISOR SHOUTOUTS
APRIL 2021
Celeste Chang
Celeste Curates LLC.
An independent luxury travel agency of Global Travel Collection
New York, NY
Why do you love being a travel advisor?
I fell in love with leisure travel advising because it is an absolute privilege when my clients entrust me with curating bespoke travels of their life’s monumental moments and know that I will be able to help them create meaningful stays that contribute to memorable experiences near or far!
Destinations you specialize in:
Caribbean, Mexico, Domestic Driving Trips, Europe, and UK
Highlight a Bennett + Mercado Hospitality hotel or destination, or share why you enjoy working with our team:
Bennett + Mercado Hospitality has such an authentic approach to the hotels they represent, and a carefully curated collection that I know I can fully trust even if it is a destination that I have not yet inspected in person. Moreover, it is always a pleasure to know that both Beatrice and Cheryl will have travel advisors’ best interest in mind because they are both travel industry veterans so they really know the ins and outs of our work flow and needs.
Any words of encouragement for the travel industry community?
We have all been through the valleys and the hills by now. If you are still sticking around after the year 2020, chances are you will make it out stronger and better than ever. Your passion for travel shows through every client booking and that will translate when travel returns in an uptick motion!
Vikram Seshadri
In Residence An independent affiliate of Protravel, powered by Global Travel Collection
San Francisco, CA
Why do you love being a travel advisor?
How blessed am I that I get to fulfil my personal wanderlust each time I talk to an advisor colleague, an industry partner, a client or a friend, which is nearly all day, every day.
Destinations you specialize in:
The world really. That said, I get personal pleasure from planning vacations that incorporate environmentally sustainable, socially conscious and globally minded destinations, hotels and touring into my clients’ itineraries. It also feeds my soul sending people to vibrant cities where they can eat, drink and do a deep dive into the soul of that culture through food & wine, art and music, history and politics.
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Highlight a Bennett + Mercado Hospitality hotel or destination, or share why you enjoy working with our team:
Of all the hotels and destinations in the portfolio, I have a soft spot for The Family Coppola Hideaway properties in Belize, Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn, where I keep sending clients over and over again whenever possible!
Any words of encouragement for the travel industry community?
This last year was a gut punch for all of us and while it was a depressing year all around, things are definitely on the upswing and our best times are ahead of us. If you survived the disasters of the last 12 months, you can survive anything. Keep at it and remember that our best days are ahead of us.
Vivian deLeon
Valerie Wilson Travel
New York, NY
Why do you love being a travel advisor?
I love being a travel advisor as I love being able to help people realize their dream trips as well to assist in scheduling their corporate needs.
I absolutely love the travel industry as we are such a tight knit worldwide community, helping each other, sharing and caring with each other.
Destinations you specialize in:
Large fashion cities (Paris, London, Milan, Los Angeles etc…) for my fashion accounts.
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Highlight a Bennett + Mercado Hospitality hotel or destination, or share why you enjoy working with our team:
I have worked with quite a few of the Viceroy Hotel and Resorts teams (Sugar Beach, Santa Monica/Los Angeles, San Francisco, Snowmass) and I have to say, they are prompt, very attentive and amazing! They understand what is needed and get it done, love it!
Any words of encouragement for the travel industry community?
For my travel industry family - Keep strong, stay connected - we will get thru this crazy time. People want to travel, to experience the world, to meet new people and we Travel Advisors with our awesome partners such as Bennett + Mercado Hospitality and their fine collection, will be there to assist in making dreams come true!
Melissa Wu
Woodlyn Travel
Pasadena, CA
Why do you love being a travel advisor?
In this industry, relationships matter and I love being able to connect my clients to the perfect travel partner – whether it’s a resort, experience or destination. It makes me very happy to see the “lightbulb go on” when a new client realizes all the advantages (and amenities!) they missed out on by not working with a travel advisor.
Destinations you specialize in:
United States (California, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, East Coast), Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Asia, Japan, Mexico, UK, Belize
Highlight a Bennett + Mercado Hospitality hotel or destination, or share why you enjoy working with our team:
Not only does the Bennett + Mercado Hospitality team represent some of my favorite travel partners but they also understand the needs of travel advisors and our clients. The entire team appreciates the importance of quality service and the value of strong partnerships.
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Any words of encouragement for the travel industry community?
Travel is coming back, so be prepared! Use any downtime you have to build your business operations and increase and improve your client and hotel relationships. Then when travel gets busier you can offer the very best service and products to your clients!