Tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been in the industry.
My name is Duane Zambas, and I am a licensed travel advisor based in Canada. I have been a licensed travel advisor since January 2014. I am passionate about helping clients create meaningful and memorable travel experiences whether they are travelling for leisure, family vacations, milestone celebrations, or once in a lifetime getaway. Over the course of my career, I have come to appreciate not only the excitement and inspiration that travel brings, but also the responsibility that comes with guiding clients through every stage of their journey with confidence, professionalism, and care.
What do you specialize in and why are you passionate about that?
I specialize in a wide range of leisure travel, from international itineraries, cruises, wedding destinations, and romantic getaways to all inclusive package trips to the Caribbean thoughtfully designed travel experiences tailored to each client’s individual preferences. What I find most rewarding is the opportunity to transform a client’s vision into something elevated, meaningful, and unforgettable. Travel is deeply personal, and I am passionate about creating experiences that reflect not only where my clients want to go, but how they want to feel while they are there.
Are you noticing any interesting trends from the bookings you have or from what suppliers are promoting?
Yes, I am seeing a growing demand for more intentional and experience-driven travel. Clients are increasingly drawn to itineraries that offer greater comfort, exclusivity, cultural depth, and flexibility. Multi-generational travel, premium cruising, curated long-haul vacations, and destination-led experiences continue to stand out. On the supplier side, there is also a stronger focus on personalization, elevated inclusions, and immersive offerings that go beyond the traditional vacation model. Today’s travellers are looking for more than just a trip. They are looking for value, meaning, and a memorable overall experience.
What’s your biggest piece of advice for travel advisors right now?
My biggest advice would be to remain adaptable, informed, and deeply client-focused. The travel landscape continues to evolve, and the advisors who stand out are those who continue to learn, build strong industry relationships, and consistently deliver exceptional service. In a highly competitive environment, professionalism, responsiveness, and credibility make a lasting impression.
How is the role of the travel advisor evolving?
The role of the travel advisor has evolved significantly. Today, we are no longer seen simply as booking agents, but as trusted travel consultants and strategic partners in the overall travel experience. Clients are looking for expertise, reassurance, personalization, and support, especially in a world where information is abundant but not always curated, reliable, or relevant to their specific needs. The modern travel advisor adds value through knowledge, efficiency, and the ability to create journeys that feel seamless, refined, and thoughtfully tailored.
Tell us a little bit about a booking that stands out, whether it’s the most expensive, the longest, the most adventurous, etc.
One booking that stands out involved a complex international itinerary with multiple travel components, requiring careful coordination, precision, and a high level of attention to detail. What made it especially memorable was not only the scope of the trip itself, but also the level of trust the client placed in me to manage every element from beginning to end. It was a strong reminder that beyond the logistics, our role is to create confidence and peace of mind. Delivering that level of service is always one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.
What are your thoughts on FAM trips? Are they valuable? Why? Do they help you sell more? How can they be improved?
FAM trips are extremely valuable because they provide firsthand experience that no brochure, webinar, or supplier presentation can fully replicate. Personally experiencing a destination, property, cruise, or tour allows advisors to speak with authenticity, depth, and confidence when recommending travel products to clients.
They absolutely help increase sales because clients respond to genuine insight and personal knowledge. As an advisor, I make it a point, at least in a year, to travel to highly recommended destinations or key travel products in Asia, Europe, and other parts of the world so I can gain direct experience that I can confidently recommend, sell, and promote to my clients. That firsthand understanding makes a meaningful difference in both client trust and the quality of advice I provide.
FAM trips can be improved by making them more educational, better paced, and more accessible to advisors who are genuinely committed to growing their business. The most effective FAM experiences are those that strike the right balance between product exposure, destination immersion, and practical learning.
What’s the biggest challenge you are facing in the travel industry right now? What do you think can be done to overcome it?
One of the greatest challenges in the industry today is balancing increasingly high client expectations with a travel environment that remains fast-moving and, at times, unpredictable. Travellers want personalization, value, efficiency, and flexibility, all while expecting a seamless and elevated experience from beginning to end. Meeting those expectations requires not only expertise, but also agility, clear communication, and strong industry relationships.
To overcome this, the industry must continue investing in advisor education, supplier partnerships, service standards, and smart technology that supports both efficiency and the client experience. Strong collaboration across the industry is essential in ensuring that advisors can continue to deliver the level of excellence today’s travellers expect.
Do you have anything to add?
I believe the value of a travel advisor has never been more relevant. In an age where travellers have unlimited access to information, what truly sets an advisor apart is judgment, experience, personalization, and genuine care. It is a privilege to help clients create meaningful memories through travel, and I am grateful to be part of an industry that continues to inspire, connect, and evolve. For me, travel advising is not simply about planning trips. It is about designing experiences, building trust, and delivering a level of service that clients remember long after they return home.
Nominator:
“Duane has been the family’s travel agent since 2019 and he has been the most detailed, most reliable agent I have ever dealt with. He goes above and beyond looking after our travel needs. He takes care of everything including checking flight schedules; reminding us days prior to flying, checking us in online so that all we have to do is show up and drop our luggage. I am truly grateful for his dedication to his craft. He has all the traits of a perfect travel agent.”
