ADVISOR SHOUTOUTS
DECEMBER 2021
Olivia Vasquez
Epperly Travel
Atlanta, GA
What excites you about the travel industry today?
Is it cliche to say everything?! Especially after this past year, having a sheer influx of clients ready to travel and wanting to explore new destinations they might not have thought of before is what makes this job so exciting and different every day!
​
Destinations you specialize in:
I'm a generalist agent so I book clients truly all over! But I particularly love Italy, the Caribbean, and South Africa!
​
Highlight a Bennett + Mercado Hospitality hotel or destination, or share why you enjoy working with our team:
I know when booking a Bennett + Mercado property my clients will experience personalized service and be "wowed" when they step on property. On the agent side I know that I can trust Bennett + Mercardo's team to provide a seamless planning experience from booking to concierge items. In particular, my go-to Bennett + Mercado property is Il Borro, which has become some of my clients' favorite spots in the world based on the resort's attention to detail, creating a 5-star experience for my clients from the moment they checked in!
​
What is something that your peers may not know about you?
I'm half Dominican--my dad is a first generation American!
How have you adjusted your business since the pandemic?
My new key word for all things in travel is flexibility. I've learned to be prepared for pivoting trips in all aspects, and to truly lean into the "advisor" part of this role. Being able to provide clients re-assurance and a flexible attitude when there is any kind of hesitancy towards travel, has been the key factor in strengthening the trust clients have in me.
​
What are you most looking forward to this year?
International Travel! During this past year I was lucky enough to have some amazing trips both domestic and international, but I'm hoping that 2022 brings opportunities for me to finally start ticking off some bucket list destinations!
Jessica Siregar
The Travel Advisor Group
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
What excites you about the travel industry today?
I am so happy to have clients traveling again. I've been working on many family groups and friends groups looking for getaways, great food, beaches and events.
​
Destinations you specialize in:
Mexico, Caribbean, Bali, Thailand, European River Cruises
​
Highlight a Bennett + Mercado Hospitality hotel or destination, or share why you enjoy working with our team:
Fast response time and excellent properties. I particularly love the Blancaneaux Lodge in Belize. It is a hidden gem I would not have known without B+M.
​
What is something that your peers may not know about you?
My dad worked on Holland America Cruise Line and my mom was a passenger when they went on their first date. I was born into travel.
How have you adjusted your business since the pandemic?
I have sold more US destinations than ever. Working in cities like Nashville, Charleston, Miami and lots of national parks with wellness components.
​
What are you most looking forward to this year?
Looking forward to working hard on navigating through covid requirements to make travel dreams come true. Well maybe not looking forward but I'm ready!
Yvette Chin
Valerie Wilson Travel
Menlo Park, CA
What excites you about the travel industry today?
I like that people are exploring domestic destinations and exploring in their own backyard, which we sometimes forget to do. I also love that people are focused on creating memories together instead of just going to a destination.
​
Destinations you specialize in:
Hawaii, my happy place. I wouldn’t say I specialize in anywhere specific, but Hawaii just feels like one I can speak genuinely about. I mean, name a hotel and I can give you the nearest plate lunch that is ONO.
​
Highlight a Bennett + Mercado Hospitality hotel or destination, or share why you enjoy working with our team:
EFFICIENCY. The Bennett + Mercado team knows why I’m asking the questions and is fast to respond with info I can easily share with my clients. In a world where everyone wants answers 10 minutes ago, I appreciate the swift and honest replies.
​
What is something that your peers may not know about you?
I graduated with a degree in Physical Therapy, have gone skydiving twice and bungee jumped off of the Bridge to Nowhere and I like to make big buns and I cannot lie.
How have you adjusted your business since the pandemic?
I have become a PROFESSIONAL Googler on COVID entry requirements, and if all else fails, I rely on my trusty magic 8 ball! All jokes aside, I’ve learned to be a lot more comfortable and OK with the unknown, which is not something I can say about my clients! However, I know that if it’s a property within the Bennett + Mercado portfolio I will have all the right people in place to jump in if there are any unexpected surprises.
​
What are you most looking forward to this year?
Trying to regain a work/life balance. 2020 was a fast hard pause, and 2021 travel was back with a vengeance and with a million unknowns, each trip taking hours of research. I want to try to regain a better balance somewhere in between to prioritize what is important to me. And to remind myself that “not all business is good business”.