Today we’d like to introduce you to Abigail Schimke.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My adventure in the travel industry has been a family adventure. My grandfather started his first travel agency in 1967, allowing my father to grow up in the industry, and soon thereafter, me! My grandfather passed away in the 90s, so I feel honored to help carry on his legacy alongside my father, our current agency’s owner, and President. I remember from a young age helping my dad at the office stamping brochures. And while I did stamp the brochures, I also spent a lot of time flipping through them, looking at the colorful photographs of African Safaris, crystal clear blue waters and white sands, the Eiffel Tower, giant pyramids, and luscious jungles. I knew from a young age that I wanted to see it all and help others see the world too.
Today, I can say that I am pursuing my dream of helping others see God’s beautiful creation as Luxury Travel Advisor at Grand Traverse Travel. I am helping people to achieve their travel goals in the most attentive and handcrafted way possible. I am also pursuing my passion for traveling with my husband, as we explore the world together! Whether it’s mingling with wild elk, hiking a mountain, exploring our beautiful home state of Michigan, or finding the biggest, bluest waves to jump, we always enjoy our adventures together. We also enjoy traveling with my family, and just returned from our first trip together since my husband and I have been married and had the trip of a lifetime!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
With any obstacles or challenges, I look to God for guidance and help. I have my husband and my family for support and encouragement.
If the travel industry were a road, it would be a cobblestone road…bumpy but beautiful. The most recent struggles that our industry has faced has been the COVID-19 pandemic. Opening Grand Traverse Travel in early 2020 just, to shut down was extremely difficult. We saw so many travelers disheartened, having to cancel or delay trips that we had been planning 1, 2, 3 years in advance. We had to mobilize as well…making sure that all our agents had laptops, at home connection to our server, and connected office phone lines to continue helping travelers. Although this was difficult to adjust to, I was able to learn how to adapt to a changing environment and empathize better with travelers. I think it taught me, and our travelers as well, how valuable time is, and I don’t think we’ll ever take a vacation for granted again…even if it’s just a quick weekend getaway.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We currently have 3 locations: Grand Hill Travel (located in Grand Blanc, MI), Frankenmuth and Bay City Travel (located in Frankenmuth, MI), and Grand Traverse Travel (Located in Traverse City, MI).
I am a Luxury Travel Advisor at Grand Traverse Travel that specializes in creating one-of-a-kind travel experiences, putting an emphasis on the value of time, eliminating traveler’s planning stresses, and helping to organize memories to last a lifetime. I am known for my personal service, attention to detail, helping achieve traveler’s goals, and creating handcrafted, luxury travel experiences.
I am very proud of our agency’s dedication to partnering with high-quality travel brands (hotels, ocean and river cruise lines, tour companies, charter companies) that support our mission and shared vision for level of service.
I am also extremely proud of the loyal support we have received from our clients. In a digital age where many rely on the internet to “book vacations”, travelers are calling our office because they trust me and my services to provide them with travel plans created specifically for them and their needs.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
In the travel industry, I define success by the relationships you create with travelers. There is nothing more rewarding than getting to know your travelers, why they are traveling, who they are traveling with, and how you can better serve them. It’s a beautiful thing when you get to know your travelers enough to call them your friend… plus, it makes planning their trips that much more fun as well!
Contact Info:
- Email: abby@grandtraversetravel.com
- Website: www.grandtraversetravel.com
- Instagram: @grandtraversetravel and @thetravelgail
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grandtraversetravel
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCizDaeVyySEYqgWCsbryaqQ
