Travel Best Bets
Owner: Claire Newell
Year Established: 1993
After 23 years in business, Travel Best Bets has become one of Canada’s largest independent travel companies and has received numerous awards for their sales and customer service. Founder and owner Claire Newell started the business right after graduating from university. “I originally wanted to be a lawyer, but a family trip during my final year of my undergrad degree from UBC changed that.” How did she turn her passion into a successful career? By focusing on the basics: “Excellent customer service and a strong product line are the keys to success,” she explains. “Word of mouth is the most valuable marketing and hardest to achieve. Once you build a reputation as a solid business, the growth will come naturally.”
The proof is in the pudding as they say, and it seems happy customers and employees are not uncommon. “I have had employees that have been with me for over 20 years and have had clients for 25 years!” And after two decades she still seems just as passionate about her business and customers’ experience: “I LOVE hearing about our clients’ travels around the world. From their experience at the airport when leaving to their flight back home. I love the details!” So where can you find Claire when she’s not working? Why travelling of course!
