Jennifer Doncsecz, president of VIP Vacations (Photo Credit: Jennifer Doncsecz)
Success Stories focuses on how veteran advisors achieved success. Here’s a look at Jennifer Doncsecz, president of VIP Vacations in Bethlehem, Pa.
How did you get your start as a travel advisor?
I started as a corporate agent with a travel agency doing corporate travel and meetings, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) for their accounts. Even while I was handling corporate travel, I loved planning Disney vacations and sun/fun trips for friends and families. I eventually became the go-to agent for leisure business among the employees of the corporate accounts that I was handling business travel for. When 9/11 hit, the corporate accounts pulled out of their agreements, but the employees that had booked their honeymoons with me still traveled. I instantly shifted focus to leisure travel and honeymoons.
How did build your business/niche over the years?
9/11 forced many travel agencies in my area to close their doors. I doubled down on utilizing an online presence (which in that time was not focused on) and I started advertising in the bridal market, which included bridal shows, bridal magazines and bridal websites.
I wanted to build a romance brand, which meant utilizing specific colors that would attract newly engaged couples (light pink), concentrating on romantic destinations and specializing in resorts that oozed romantic experiences (Sandals/Beaches Resorts).
By 2003, elopements were morphing into a new trend – destination weddings. The experience I had with MICE groups helped immensely with organizing and managing group destination weddings.
Additionally, the ”romance” travel branding that VIP Vacations had been focused on started to shine. After winning several awards from Sandals/Beaches and The Knot.com in 2004 & 2005, VIP had credibility and that helped drive even more business.
By 2012, I opened a prominent storefront in a large pink Victorian on a busy street in Bethlehem, Pa. The inside team has grown to 13 and we also have a few independent contractors. We’ve won over 200 awards, and to this day we are top sellers of Sandals/Beaches Resorts.
What characteristic makes you a successful advisor?
I believe my superpower is tenacity. I also think that I am always looking to learn new things and improve.
What have been your greatest challenges been?
If I look back over the years, there were many challenges. I remember feeling powerless when the airlines removed commission from airline tickets. Then the events of 9/11 made me reconsider if I should leave this industry. Zika hit the honeymoon/romance niche very hard and the ‘tainted’ alcohol in Mexico crisis was also difficult to mitigate.
But COVID-19 managed to make the combined 20-plus years of challenges look like a walk in the park! However, each and every one of those challenges can’t compare to my personal battle with breast cancer in 2019.
What have your greatest accomplishments been?
The instant answer to this is creating a thriving family business – my husband and adult children also work at VIP. Additionally, I am very proud that VIP kept our entire team of travel advisors employed during COVID. Beyond VIP Vacations, I am very proud to have formed the Female Leaders in Travel Conclave in 2019, which was the foundation for the creation of the Travel ALLIES Society that was established in 2021.
What tips can you provide advisors new to the industry?
First, have a growth mindset. Second, find a circle of people in this industry that you can learn from, gain support from and receive advice from. Third, let integrity be your compass, because trust is key with clients, vendors, co-workers and industry relations. Fourth, above all, take care of yourself – eat healthy, drink a lot of water, sleep well and enjoy the fresh air. You can accomplish a lot of your goals when you are healthy!!
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
