Industry Insider: Danielle Cutrupi from Travel Counsellors

This week’s industry insider, we speak to Danielle Cutrupi from Travel Counsellors about what it is like to be a homebased travel consultant, why she enjoys the industry and how she stands out to her clients.

Why you enjoy working as a homebased consultant?

I love being a home based consultant because I get to have it all. I’m a mother, a lover, a career women, and a business owner. I have the flexibility of working my own hours and choosing my clients which fit me and my business model.

Having my business from my home allows me to focus on my client and deliver an exceptional service that they would be hard pressed to find in any other agency.

Best part of the job?

Of course the travel perks! I do this job because travel is my life and without travel, I’m not me.

How do you stand apart from other agents?

I’m in a unique position where I can offer my clients personalised and one-off itineraries, I deliver specialised travel services that are exactly what my client needs (wants) and not what the brochure told them they could have. I’m also able to deliver this service with wholesale pricing, I work directly with suppliers and my clients to ensure cost is the best value, yet itineraries are completely unique with greater control over land arrangements.

My corporate business is specialised in businesses within export and IT, especially those in start-up who require assistance in locating their target markets outside of Australia. I put my clients where they need to be and arrange everything from drivers to receipts for claiming on EMDG grants.

Challenges of the job?

My job never ends, it is around the clock service that I deliver, so times like these with terrorism on our doorstep I can be found at my desk right through the night ensuring my clients are safe, protected and out of harm’s way. This is a challenge, though also rewarding that I’m in a position to be able to be there when my clients need me to be.

Best tips for dealing with difficult customers?

Just remember that if I were paying all this money, I would want what they want too. Put yourself in their shoes first, then react. Sometimes it’s a simple matter of trust or allowing you to get to know each other, a small inexpensive gesture such as dropping in with a coffee for a quick hello can make all the difference. Then there are those that you will just never please, so I’m ok to let them go and suggest they work with another agent that will make them happy.

What do you wish could change in the industry?

Nothing! I love the crazy fast paced environment that is our industry. It is forever changing and evolving which is what I’m addicted too.

What do you want to see more of from your wholesalers?

Commitment to seeing us agents as their friends and allies, rather than trying to steal our clients directly from us. Make love and not war… Stop competing but rather working with us, after all, it is the clients best interest we have at heart isn’t it?

What advice would you give an agent considering to move into the homebased environment?

Do it! Act now and don’t wait, be prepared for long days and hard nights and little reward for the first year, though I can promise you, if you commit and you make the effort that is required, you will succeed and be gloriously happy. Your clients will thank you for it too- mine have never been happier, 100% net promoter score is proof of that.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Danielle Cutrupi Industry Insider travel counsellors