New business travels to new location

Posted Jan 19, 2012 By Kristen Coughlar

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EMC Business - After 41 years the passion is still there. One can tell almost instantly that Debbie Lloyd loves what she does, love of travel radiates with every word she speaks.

Lloyd entered the travel business in 1971, after completing business school.

"At that time a lot of girls wanted to be stewardesses. There was an economic downturn at that time and Air Canada was laying off hundreds of stewardesses...So that option was not available."

It was at that point that she began looking at work at a travel agency.

"Back then we had to apprentice, we didn't have travel schools at that time in 1971. I was lucky enough to land an apprenticeship with an established office in Toronto."

Lloyd finished her apprenticeship and continued to work at the agency located within the United Church of Canada building located at St. Clair Avenue, and in 1974 she moved to Kingston to be with her husband, Tony Rix.

In 1977 the pair went into business together, opening The Travel Broker and Cruise Centre at 1758 Bath Rd.

In the 1980s the business found its niche building special interest tours for small groups that were looking for a more intimate experience of the history, culture, food, and people of specific regions. The business has a collection of five travel brands: Travel Broker Tours, Canadian Woman Traveler, Creative Arts Holidays, Zoomers on the Go, and JB&A Custom Holidays.

Today, The Travel Broker and Cruise Centre, is undergoing big changes.

Eighteen months ago, Lloyd's husband and business partner died.

"My whole world kind of took a real shake. I decided very quickly that I wanted to keep the business going because I love it, but I also have to step into the administration chair," she said.

Lloyd described her husband as an "administrator extraordinaire", which allowed her to focus on the creative side of the business. She is now attempting to settle into her new role as administrator, creator and salesperson.

As if that weren't enough, the business is also in the process of moving to a new location, after serving the local community and travelers from across the world for 35 years out of its location on Bath Road.

"I decided to make a wish come true. I always wanted to have my own building to put the travel agency in," she said.

"I spent all last summer scouting and looking for places that I could put my travel agency in. They were either the wrong location, or they had no parking, or the building was deplorable."

Finally, a place became available on Sydenham Road.

"It's a lovely big, ol' house, a.k.a, a fixer upper...I've been working on remodeling the house to accommodate the agency, and working with the City to allow me to have the agency in the house, to operate the travel agency in the location."

On Dec. 23 Lloyd had gotten the go ahead from the City. The business is expected to move into its new location at 1049 Sydenham Rd. on Jan. 30.

Lloyd is both nervous and excited about the change. She is hoping a fresh start will allow her to embrace her new role as the sole head of the company.

"In the new place I think I'll really feel that I am the administrator, and I'll take on that persona in a more positive, proactive mode...I'm taking my husband's big desk with me...and hoping to maintain his spirit and his help."

While many changes lie ahead, one thing remains as a constant: Lloyd, and her passion for all things travel.

"To create any type of a tour to a specific place, to dream of it, to create it, produce it, market it and then take it and watch the people enjoy the experience is energizing. I'm hoping it will keep me young, and I plan to be doing it for a long time."

For more information on The Travel Broker and Cruise Centre visit www.thetravelbroker.ca or call 1-613-389-7914, or 1-888-830-5324.

kcoughlar@perfprint.ca




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