We had the good fortune of connecting with Judith White and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Judith, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
Prior to 911, most travelers depended on Travel Agents. With the introduction of online booking engines, many travelers book trips online and rely on images and reviews. While these are great tools, the wealth of insider knowledge that a Travel Agent offers cannot be understimated. We’ve slept in the same beds, dined at the restaurants and enjoyed the services of many of the resorts we recommend. So, we are well aware of the options that will fit a client’s personal tastes and lifestyle. Additionally, we are much more equipped to help clients choose the ideal transfers and travel protection so all the components of travel are ideally suited for their unique experience.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
This could be a long story, but I will condense it into a summary. I’ve been a romance junkie since 9 years old and dreamt of castles and fancy hotels all through school. I couldn’t get the passion of travel to quieten so I decided to get a formal eduction in the world of travel and in 2008, White Sand Travel was born. White Sand Travel is a luxury boutique travel agency that specializes in designing bespoke romance travel (honeymoons, destination and romantic getaways) for discerning couples who are looking for a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience. What sets us apart is that we recognize that we cannot serve everyone so we focus on the couples that are ideally matched with our vision and business model. We are focused on the client, not the transaction. We are focused on value, not the price. We are focused on an experience, not an itinerary. And mostly, we excel in the service we provide. We know how to go the extra mile and we do it. The travel business is very competitive and this business is never easy because travelers can book their own travel online. But, they are not always aware that booking with a Travel Agent is worth it much more than booking online. So, it is challenging to attract the clients who know our value and can trust us to do what we are trained to do. Through the years, we’ve learned that clients are very loyal if they feel that we care about them and also that they are getting the best value. We have clients who book year after year, after year. That is our highest recommendation.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I have a friend visiting for the weekend, our weekend together is going to be all about being spoiled and pampered. Our experience begins at the Four Seasons Buckhead. Because we are in Midtown, we are steps from the renowned High Museum of Art, eclectic Peachtree Street and the sprawling green spaces of Piedmont Park. Our morning starts off with breakfast at Park 75 before heading out to renowned Georgia Aquarium. After such a fun activity, we are definitely ready for a healthy dose of self-care at the Spa. Because we have an appetite for elegant ambience, impeccable service and tasty dishes, our choice for dining is at the Capital Grille and we end the night with drinks at Bar Margot. Day two takes us to Piedmont Park and people watching and the scene is set for some history lessons at the High Museum of Art. Our evening hits perfection at Nan Thai Fine Dining – 13 time 4-Diamond Award Winning restaurant. Nothing beats the city lights in Atlanta so our night includes taking in the sights at Atlanta Station (trying to avoid the amazing tastes of home made ice-cream.) We are definitely not ready to check out but must make our way to the Flying Biscuit Cafe for a healthy breakfast and another hour or so of just idling at the park.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The minute we think we can succeed alone, is the minute we set ourselves up to fail. The travel industry thrives on relationships. A special shoutout to Laura Frazier from Bliss Honeymoons who teams up with me to share ideas, challenges and improvement strategies. Although we do the same thing, there is no competition between us and that is HUGE! We truly care about each other and support the success we both achieve.
Website: https://whitesandtravel.net
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitesandtravel/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WhiteSandTravel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiteSandTravelJW/
Image Credits
Pics are taken from my own phone. I uploaded two just in case one is better than the other.