Terrapin Travel: The Female-Run Travel Agency to Know
Looking to learn more about how travel has changed this year and what to expect when you're ready to make vacation plans? We interviewed Heidi Buckler, the founder of Terrapin Travel, on advice for starting your own company, why you should use a travel agent for your next trip, and how to navigate travel right now and post COVID-19.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your entrepreneurial journey with Terrapin Travel.
I have been in the travel business for 12 years. I loved the process of connecting with clients and planning their dream vacations but, working for other companies, I felt undervalued. I knew I wanted to have my own travel agency: serve clients with the attention that I valued and begin growing my own business. I have owned my own travel business for almost five years, but, two years ago, it was time to grow the business and Terrapin Travel was formed. Terrapin Travel expanded to four travel advisors, all women and mothers, who have a passion for travel and are dedicated to finding a way to help others find their joy for travel. Angela grew up in Southeast Asia and has continued to travel since her childhood. Susan was a flight attendant for 15 years, traveling to places throughout the world. Deb’s travel experiences started as a child while traveling with her family and has continued throughout her adult life. Each of our advisors has their own specialties and unique perspectives, and together we make a great team.
As a small business run entirely by women, Terrapin Travel brings a unique perspective to travel agencies. What is the best part about working with an all-female team and how has it impacted your company’s growth and success?
We feel empowered by being an all-women business. As women, we know the importance of surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people. With an all-female team we have each other's backs, we compliment each other with our strengths and weaknesses, and we rely on each other for one another’s expertise. Each day we continue to grow and we support and celebrate each other’s successes. We are stronger together than we are on our own.
What advice can you give to young women looking to start their own small businesses?
Be confident in yourself even when you don’t feel it. Pick your passion, set your goals, be steadfast in your principles, and try to keep a positive outlook even in the midst of challenges and pitfalls so that you can fully experience the highs of your successes. It is important throughout the journey to remember your “why,” and re-visit it often to help you stay committed to your dream. Additionally, it is valuable to continue to train in business and within your field so that you become an expert within that field. Of equal importance is to make time to attend any networking events you can find in your area and reach out to other women with questions and feedback. They WILL support you!
Travel agencies are known to alleviate stress, provide the best deals, and give great recommendations whether you’re planning to vacation with family or looking to go on a trip with friends. What services does Terrapin Travel specialize in and how can an interested client get in contact with your team?
Simply put, Terrapin Travel makes travel planning easier and ensures our clients enjoy the greatest trip possible by helping them through every stage of their vacation, start to finish. Of utmost importance is communicating and consulting with our clients to find the best destinations, transportation, accommodations, and activities that fit with their wants, needs, and budget. Terrapin Travel is a full service agency and we have trusted suppliers that we work with that allow us to book any destination and form of travel. Whether it is a complete vacation package or customized trip that is put together piece by piece, we manage every detail for the trip. Most importantly, we are here if anything goes wrong before or during travel. As an additional service to our clients and unlike many agencies, we do not charge service fees for planning and booking your trips! We can be contacted through email at contact@terrapintravel.co.
We can also be found on online:
Website: https://terrapintravel.co/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TerrapinTravel/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrapin.travel/
What are the most significant changes you have seen in the travel industry this year due to COVID-19 restrictions?
The pandemic has taken a big hit on the travel industry, in all areas, from airlines to resorts to cruises. Travel came to a standstill in March and travel advisors spent long hours on hold cancelling and fighting for refunds for their clients all the while losing any income/commission they may have earned from booking those trips. We hope one of the changes that will come from Covid-19 and the travel industry is the importance of using a travel advisor who will go to bat for their clients and manage the ever-changing landscape of travel. With that said, almost every aspect of travel has been made safer, from requiring Covid testing and health declaration forms to being served at a “self-serve” buffet. Hotels, airplanes, cruises, trains, all-inclusives, and so many other aspects of travel have taken the time to re-evaluate their safety standards and protocols to help keep travelers as healthy and safe as possible. Additionally, we also cannot stress enough the importance of having the proper travel insurance in place with your trip.
What are some of the safest and best ways to travel right now?
This year’s limitations on travel have increased the desire to travel more than ever. Many clients are electing to book now and experience later - planning all the way into 2022. However, currently, many clients are looking to take advantage of travel deals on the market with flexible cancellation rates. A newer and popular trend is domestic travel with RV rentals and visits to National Parks at the top of the list. Additionally, many clients are renting cabins or villas in domestic and international destinations with their friends or family, allowing them to social distance. Lately, Mexico, with it’s easy to navigate Covid policies, is our top destination for international travel. We will help you understand travel restrictions and quarantine rules for your desired destination as well inform you of the sanitation measures taken by the resorts.
Do you have any recommendations for anyone looking to make vacation plans for 2021?
Hotels, resorts, and destinations are opening to US travelers each day. The two most important recommendations are to plan early and to purchase travel insurance. The importance of planning early is that travelers who had to put their plans on hold have rescheduled their trips for 2021. Furthermore, hotels and resorts are limiting capacity so availability will be in shorter supply. In the past, travelers often decided to forgo travel insurance but many travelers learned the hard way that unforeseen things happen that can cause a trip cancellation or interruption. There are many types of travel protection policies and we can walk you through which is best for your needs. With all of that said, the most important thing about traveling in 2021 is doing what feels right for you.
We need to know - what are some of the best “Girls Trip” vacation spots out there?
Women know that spending time with friends feeds our souls, fills our cups, and makes us smile. But now, research supports that taking a trip with your friends can actually improve your mental health and long-term happiness. It doesn’t matter the destination as long as women are together. Whether it is a weekend retreat through wine country, a villa in Jamaica, a spa resort in Mexico, a Caribbean cruise, or an adventure tour through the National Parks, women travel together with ease! This week on our Terrapin Travel Facebook page we are featuring ideas for Girls Getaways so be sure to check it out.
What are each of your all-time favorite travel destinations? On the flip side, what destinations are at the top of your bucket lists?
It is difficult to narrow down because each experience is unique and each destination offers something different. But, if we were to break it down between the four of us, our favorite European destinations are Italy, Ireland, England, and Greece. Our personal favorites for sand, surf, and sun in the Caribbean are Aruba, St. John, Tortola, and Jamaica. Domestically, we are partial to California, the National Parks of the midwest, and the warmer southern states. In Asia, Thailand is a favorite for a totally different culture experience and adventure. The number of destinations and experiences on our bucket lists are long, but all of our wish lists include an African Safari and European cruise to see the Christmas Markets.
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