Two TravelStore Experts Selected by Top Industry Magazines

Sept. 10, 2019 – Los Angeles: An award-winning travel agency and leader in cruise and luxury vacations, TravelStore is proud to announce employee-owners Susanne Hamer and Patrick Hinds have been selected by Travel+Leisure and Travel Agent magazines, respectively, for their work as top travel advisors in the business.

For 18 years, T+L has published the annual A-List, which notes its top travel advisors and tour operators worldwide in the travel industry. Susanne has been consecutively on the A-List for 13 years.

Susanne is an expert in the South Pacific, specializes in the Maldives, the Seychelles, and Bali, and has extensive first-hand knowledge and connections in those locations. This expertise enables Susanne to create personalized, creative, and unique itineraries for her clients. Susanne is based in TravelStore’s Los Angeles headquarters and has 23 years in experience as a travel advisor with each of those years at TravelStore. Born in Switzerland, Susanne speaks German and French.

“It is not only an honor to be on the A-List, but to be listed 13 consecutive years is humbling,” Susanne said. Travel advisors have to re-apply each year and are evaluated by the advisory board.

T+L examines hundreds of travel advisors with assistance from the magazine’s Travel Advisory Board for each year’s A-List. Each person who makes it to the A-List, like Susanne, has been extensively vetted by T+L.

“It starts with unique itineraries, exclusive access, and positive client testimonials,” T+L noted in an online piece dedicated to explaining how A-List advisors were chosen. “We also seek professionals who travel often to the destinations they specialize in (at least once a year) and who make a concerted effort to deliver more than their clients expect.”

30Under30, by Travel Agent magazine, has been published every year since 2008, during which time TravelStore experts have made appearances on the list. Patrick Hinds is the latest employee-owner to receive this recognition, which is a 30-person list of “the next generation of agents who will discover new places to go and new ways to connect with travelers.”

Patrick has expertise in Tahiti, Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Italy, and ocean cruise vacations. His love of travel can be traced back to a young age when he would journey between the United States and Europe while visiting Irish relatives.

At TravelStore, he has proven both his passion of and skill in travel. Patrick “is able to think outside the box and suggest destinations clients have never considered,” Director of Leisure Sales Katie Cadar stated. “Often relying on his personal travel experiences but also researching and collaborating with our suppliers.”

It is “incredibly validating to be recognized for this achievement,” Patrick said. “There are very few professions on this planet that can impact others so positively, so making sure travel experiences are the best they can be is very satisfying for me.”

30Under30 candidates are self-nominated travel advisors who are under 30 years of age. They are required to have finished a substantial project as a travel advisor and be regarded as a developing leader by company management.

As Travel Agent magazine stated, “Over the past several years, [30Under30] has created a buzz in the industry and also helped fuel a community of young professionals who enjoy being a part of a special, growing niche in the travel business.”

About TravelStore

Established in 1975, employee-owned TravelStore is one of the nation’s top travel agencies. Headquartered in Los Angeles with several branch locations throughout California, TravelStore is a member of Signature Travel Network and specializes in luxury cruises, tours and custom vacation packages. For more information, visit TravelStore.com or call 888-761-7447.