10 questions, 12 very different answers

Each month we will feature a new THOR member travel agent who’s been asked to respond to the same 10 questions. See how different the answers can be!

TRAVEL AGENT PROFILE:

NAME: Terri Coon

TITLE: Independent Travel Consultant

TRAVEL AGENCY NAME: Andavo Travel

TRAVEL AGENCY LOCATION: Denver, CO

YEARS IN THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY: 25

SPECIALTY: Corporate Travel

Q: What is your favorite airport and what does it offer that makes it your favorite?

My favorite airport is Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. The reason I love it might sound silly, but I was originally born in Minnesota and that’s where my heart is; it just makes me feel like I’m “home”. I love shopping and looking at the silly Minnesota souvenirs. The airport just feels open to me, so it doesn’t feel crowded.

Q: What is your most favorite all-inclusive resort?

My favorite all-inclusive resort is the IBEROSTAR Paraíso Del Mar. It was the first time I went to Mexico many years ago. I thought the food was great and the service was fabulous.

Q: What was the last trip you took where you were treated like a VIP and what was the VIP treatment?

I was treated like a VIP in Australia during a Captain Cook Cruises trip to the Great Barrier Reef. The ship holds 180 passengers, but there were only about 34 of us on the ship and about 80 crew members. We were so well taken care of on the ship. The crew really went above and beyond for us.

Q: Where did you go on your last road trip?

My last road trip was to the far northeast corner of Wyoming. We drove up the eastern side of Wyoming. Some would say it’s boring, but I love the hills and watching for all kinds of wildlife, like antelope.

Q: What book or movie have you watched that makes you want to visit the location in which it takes place?

My favorite book is, In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson. He is a great travel writer. The book is about his journey through Australia. I read it just before I went to Australia. He adds a lot of humor to his books and know-how to bring his destinations to life.

Q: Craft breweries have become a huge tourist attraction. What craft brewery would you recommend and why?

I would recommend Colorado Keg House. They offer over 75 craft beers from Colorado. They offer such a great selection and the bartenders can help you make your choice an easy one.

Q: What hotel restaurant is your favorite?

My favorite hotel restaurant is Flatz at the Renaissance® Boulder Flatiron Hotel in Broomfield, CO. I love the food there. We like to go there for special occasions.

Q: If you hosted a dinner party for a couple who was visiting from out-of-town, what meal would you make for them that encompasses the local flavor of where you live?

Living in Denver, which is home to the Great American Beer Festival and many, many craft breweries, I would grill some brats with the fixins’. Brats are always great with beer!

Q: What’s the most bizarre travel trend that you have encountered?

The most bizarre I would have to say is airport security. I think it’s bizarre that it cannot be streamlined. It is different at every airport that I have gone to and it seems that the rules change from one airport to another. No consistency.

Q: Why should more people use travel agents to book their corporate or leisure travel?

I could talk for days about this. You wouldn’t consult a doctor when your roof needs to be replaced, would you? My business is 90% corporate travel and I’m an Independent Consultant. There have been many times when I have had stranded travelers and they were able to reach me. I was able to assist them right away in getting where they needed to be. I offer a very personal service compared to the mega agencies where the clients would have to call a call center and wouldn’t even know the person they were talking to. I love the very close and very personal relationship I can offer my clients.