Rising Stars: Meet Kacie Walls

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kacie Walls.

Hi Kacie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for travel started as a child and came from my grandmother. As a child, I would travel all over the USA and to Disney/Florida every year. We always drove, so I could see this amazing country we live in. In 2009 I took a trip with friends to Cancun, and we used a travel agent, I remember in my young 20s walking in that travel agency, and that is when I knew this was it, this is what I wanted to do. Travel Agent is not something you are told as a child you can be, so I never knew until that day that this was it. I then started unofficially looking for a travel agency job. I applied all over and heard others back, but in 2017 I was ready to make a move, so I emailed all the local travel agencies in town, and someone brought me on. This month makes 5 years in the travel industry for me. I am now full-time remotely with a travel agency, Travelista Travels, and I do this full time ( I am typing this in the USVI right now). It has been a hard 5 years as this is a sales-driven business, but it has also been so much fun. I can not see where the next 5 years in business will take me.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
Has it been a smooth road? I sold travel during a global pandemic, lol. I quit my full-time job in Nov 2019, as my travel business had taken off so well, then here comes March 2020, and my whole life changed. Travel agents do not get paid until after clients travel, so for all the bookings. I was now canceling. I was working for free to cancel and get refunds for all my clients. As most clients were very understanding, many were not very nice, and I was doing all this for free at the time. I lived off of credit cards for 2 years, traveling myself to show my clients it was ok to travel, and I can finally say I am back to my pre-covid bookings.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a travel agent, but most don’t understand that. What is a travel agent in 2022? Yes, I book your vacations, cruises, and destination weddings, but I do not sit in an office. I do not have a storefront. I travel to resorts and destinations once a month to learn more about what I am selling. I don’t just book your hotel and say have a good trip. I will send you everything you need for your trip, where to eat, and what you should see. I reach out to the hotels and let them know you are coming. I submit for upgrades when available. I specialize in the Caribbean, Mexico, and cruises for destination weddings, families, honeymoons, or vacations. I do, however, book a lot of Europe and Asia. I prefer the Caribbean, Mexico, and cruises so that you will see the most from me. I also travel with my 3-year-old son Tanon, which brings a lot of families my way as I show them you can travel with a child and where the best places are to go. We are heading off to Cancun to celebrate his 3rd birthday at the end of the month.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I feel I am not a saleswoman; I am your friend. I am not pushy. I am honest and will not sell it to you if I feel you will not like it. I am not into just booking any trip. I am into making sure you have the best trip you can.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.travelistatravels.com
• Instagram: Chasing_Seashorses
• Facebook: Kacie Walls Travel Agent with Travelista Travels
• Other: TikTok: ChasingSeahorses
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