As part of my ongoing participation in the Travel agent Blog project, I have been asked to briefly talk about my credentials and my company this week– so here goes!
I have been in the travel industry since I was 16 years old, beginning with 2 years full time college to obtain the equivalent of an Associates degree in Travel and Tourism, and at the same time my ABTA Certificate of Travel Agency Competence, while working various part-time travel jobs as a student. Since graduating, over the past 21 years I have worked for a travel agency, a tour operator and a major airline between the UK where I was born and in the USA after I moved. 6 ½ years ago I created my own company, and among other hats one wears as a small business owner, I continue to also serve my clients personally “on the front lines” as a dive travel specialist. I love to challenge myself and believe anyone who is serious about what they do is always learning. I regularly attend seminars and attain credentials with various tourism boards and organizations across the world in the hope to ever increase my knowledge. As a diver, I am an SSI Instructor who teaches all ages and abilities whenever I am able, and almost all of my free time you will find me under the water, whether it is in a beautiful warm sea, or under the ice in my local quarry. I am blessed that my life is filled with my two passions – travel and diving.
My company has seen much growth and success over the past few years and I am also extremely fortunate to now have two highly experienced agents working alongside me who not only share my both of my loves – diving and travel, but subscribe to the same philosophies as me when it comes to taking care of our customers and striving to be the absolute best in our industry. While our combined qualifications, knowledge and other more practical items such as access to an agent 24-7-365 in an emergency are of course an asset, it’s our team that really sets us apart. Our clients receive complete and genuine care and attention to every need or requirement to make their vacation truly special and ensure all arrangements are in place and go as smoothly as possible. Between the three of us there are few places in the world that would interest a diver that we have not been, and we share that knowledge and personal insight with each of our customers to enhance their experiences. We each truly believe in doing the best by our clients and our recommendations are based on striving to match perfectly what each of our customers are looking for with the best destination and resort/liveaboard for them. We have established relationships with all of the largest suppliers in the dive vacation world, and are excellent advocates for our clients, be it for securing the best deal or should a problem arise. Yet as s small business we are able to get to truly know our customers on an individual basis so that they have one single, trusted source that they may return to again and again, whether their next desire takes them to the Great Lakes or the Great Barrier Reef.
When considering your next dive vacation, please send me an email or give me a call. I would love to discuss your plans with you!
Cheryl Patterson
Dive Travel Specialist & founder of Deep Blue Adventures
