Today we’d like to introduce you to Carl Howard.
Carl, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After working for airlines- and getting laid off too frequently I started working with a travel agency. Initially working with corporate travelers and their business travel. As the commission structure started to change (and then disappear) with the airlines it became clear that I needed to focus on leisure travel –especially products with better commission.
Industry experts were advising that it was more lucrative and better long term potential to specialize in one or two travel products/services – and do them better than anyone else. About the same time one of my hotel sales reps introduced me to a new product and agent training program with Karisma Hotels & Resorts. After my first visit to one of the Karisma resorts I was convinced that I had found the right product. Even in my airline days I worked with groups so I knew to make that my focus.
The Karisma training program grew and began to include wedding group info to the curriculum. That was 10 years ago. I am pleased to say that my relationship with Karisma has flourished since they began the specialty agent program.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The travel industry is challenging. Like any business things change frequently. The wedding business is very competitive. Prospecting for clients is time consuming and difficult.
I have been very fortunate to have made good industry friends thru networking. And it is work- but I do love participating in consumer shows of all types. It is also critical to keep your name and product in the public’s view.
I love my hotels and the product they supply. Though their name is still not one that immediately comes to mind it is one that I am always confident in recommending to my clients.
Any business is about trust. My clients are trusting me to provide honest & accurate information for what will be one of the most important times in their life. Honoring that trust and helping clients fulfill their wedding dreams motivates me. It also helps me to keep them as life-long clients.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Expert Honeymoons – what should we know?
Expert Honeymoons is a destination wedding honeymoon specialist agency. Being a landlocked city, people in Atlanta LOVE the beach. I am convinced that this is one of the biggest reasons why beach weddings and honeymoons are so popular.
In recent years destination weddings have grown to be almost 30% of all weddings for US citizens. In Atlanta, we are so lucky to have great air access to the Caribbean & Mexico.
We specialize with the Karisma Group of Hotels & Resorts. The original 6 hotels are located in the Riviera Maya, only a quick 2 hr. 20 minute flight from Atlanta. Additional new hotels are located in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Serbia & Croatia. The hotels are known for luxurious accommodation, beautiful beachfront grounds and excellent food & beverages. They are also eco-certified and grow their own fruit, herbs & vegetables in a 100,000 sq. foot hydroponic/organic garden. In 2016 Karisma opened the first Tahitian style overwater bungalows in the Northern Hemisphere on a beach (Maroma) rated as one of the top 10 best in the world.
I am very proud of my relationship with great industry partners like Karisma Hotels and Resorts, and Perfect Wedding Guide.
We are creative, knowledgeable and industry experts with more than 20 years’ experience.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I like to work with creative and smart people. I’m curious. I like being challenged. And I have to have fun at work and in my personal life.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3355 Lenox Rd NE
Suite 750
Atlanta, GA 30326 - Website: www.experthoneymoons.com
- Phone: 678 920-5294
- Email: carl@experthoneymoons.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExpertHoneymoons/
- Twitter: @PepeDelVerde
El Dorado Casitas Royale
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Image Credit:
Karisma Hotels & Resorts
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