Meet Marica - a business travel owner

Marica has a wealth of experience working in the travel industry in SA and abroad. She loves socialising and meeting new people. She has an adopted dog called Bruno and his adopted cat sister Missy - they are Marica's world!

Marica has just completed her 2-week induction training online and is now running her own business as a Travel Counsellor.

We caught up with Marica to learn more about her journey in becoming a Travel Counsellor.

Tell us more about yourself and your working experience in the industry?

I have been in the Travel Industry since 2002. I took a two-year break whilst working in London and today I have 18 years of experience working in travel. I am a strong believer in always delivering the very best service and I will always go the extra mile for my customers. All this helps create long-lasting relationships which are important to me.

I began my career working for a small Italian family-owned business. After two years of learning and gaining valuable experience, I decided to join my friend on an adventure for two years in the United Kingdom. Here I worked in different areas on contract work, for example, Last minute.com, Igluski, Corporate offices and Cruise Operators. These opportunities gave me time to travel around the United Kingdom. One of my favourite weekends away was to Scotland. I just loved walking down the streets of Edinburgh and hearing the bagpipes play - it was the best experience ever!

What do you love most about working in the travel industry?

Every day is different!

Where have you travelled to?

I have had the privilege to travel to the following destinations; Florida (Disney World and Miami), Waterways of Europe on the Rhine, Coach touring through Ireland, Mauritius, Seychelles, NCL Mediterranean cruise & MSC Walvis Bay cruise and one of my favourite destinations Vietnam.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Chasing the Northern Lights - this would be a Bucket List Trip.

What motivated you to start your own travel business?

I decided it is time. Travel Counsellors had a great reputation and I had read up on the great feedback from other Travel Counsellor franchisees. I knew instantly Travel Counsellors was for me.

What are you most looking forward to now that you are a Travel Counsellor?

I can't wait to be able to run my own travel business. I know that this will grow me personally and that it will help me to bring balance into my everyday life. It will slow me down and allow me to focus my time on my clients.

What will becoming a Travel Counsellor mean to you?

I always go the extra mile for my customers. I am looking forward to being able to offer them a personalised concierge travel service. With all my years of experience in assisting a variety of clients, I know that my wealth of knowledge will be appreciated. I am looking forward to enjoying a good work-life balance. So, with a fantastic support team behind me, how can I not take up the opportunity with both hands?

Can you relate to Marica's journey? If you have a passion for travel and service delivery and are keen to learn more about what it takes to be a Travel Counsellor then please get in touch we would love to chat with you.