Today we’d like to introduce you to Pam Cherek.
Hi Pam, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have always been a wanderer and a traveler at heart. As a young adult, my passion was anything outside – hiking, camping, kayaking, etc. Eventually, I started traveling internationally and fell in love with the unfamiliarity of new cultures, new languages and new customs. I moved to Austin in 2015 to take a position as the Director of Adventure Travel for a national tour operator. I had the privilege of planning and hosting trips all over the world, building relationships with guides and tour operators along the way. In 2018, I decided to start my own adventure travel agency and Wander Beyond Travel LLC was born.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Early on, my agency grew at a quick but manageable pace. Just as I reached my first big goal of booking trips for clients on all seven continents, the pandemic reared its ugly head. The world shut down one day before I was scheduled to take a group of clients hiking in Chile and Argentina. That day, my primary duties switched from booking travel to canceling or postponing trips and helping my clients get their refunds or future travel credits. Fast forward to 2021 – travel is picking back up again, but my clients aren’t yet traveling as far away as they did before the pandemic. Currently, I’m booking a lot of trips to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Alaska. People are cautiously booking bigger trips for 2022, and many people who never used a travel agent in the past are reaching out because they want a professional to help navigate the ever-changing rules and new regulations that come with international travel today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Wander Beyond Travel?
At Wander Beyond Travel, we create custom itineraries for adventurous travelers. If you have a sense of adventure and like to do things a little differently than everyone else, you are my ideal client! As an adventure travel specialist, I have built strong relationships with my suppliers around the world. My primary value to my clients lies in my partnerships and connections with local suppliers and tour operators. Combine those connections with a personal desire to provide truly excellent customer service and you’ve got a winning combo that will elevate your travels to a level you may never have thought possible!
One thing that sets Wander Beyond Travel apart from other travel agencies is our annual small group adventures. They’re perfect for solo travelers, couples, or small groups to join others and make new friends while discovering the world. Each year, I plan, organize and host a small group trip to an iconic destination. This year, we’re hiking in Patagonia. Next year, we’re going to explore Machu Picchu and the Amazon jungle in Peru. You can read more about these hosted adventures on our website: https://www.wanderbeyondtravel.com/hosted-trips.
Many people believe that travel agents are irrelevant due to the ease of booking travel online. However, as the internet made information readily accessible a new problem emerged – information overload. Try googling “Antarctica Cruise” and see how many different options there are. It’s overwhelming! For a bucket-list investment in travel, it makes sense to work with a professional travel advisor who will take time to get to know you and build a perfect trip for you, then support you along the way.
One thing I wish the general public understood about travel agents is that they are all unique and different. Do your homework when choosing an agent. Find out what their specialty is. You wouldn’t want to plan your Alaskan fly fishing trip with an agent who specializes in destination weddings, would you? Find out how long the agent has been in business. Ask for references from past clients. A good agent shouldn’t hesitate to answer these questions and provide references.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The book Organize Tomorrow Today by Dr. Jason Selk was easily digestible and really beneficial when I was just getting started. During the pandemic, I began writing down three things I am grateful for every morning when I wake up. This gratitude journal helps keeps my mindset in the right place even when times are tough. Currently, my favorite professional podcasts are Business Made Simple with Donald Miller and Travel Geniuses with Christy Camren. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed Snap Judgement as well as the Freakonomics Radio Podcasts.
Contact Info:
- Email: pam@wanderbeyondtravel.com
- Website: www.wanderbeyondtravel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wanderbeyondtravel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WanderBeyondTravel/
