Meet Toni Gault | Travel Advisor, Agency Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Toni Gault and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Toni, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
One of the big misconceptions about travel agents is that clients have to pay for their services. 95% of the time, our services are complementary to our clients. Our commission comes off the backend from the vendor. Clients do not pay more if they book through us versus booking directly through the vendor, and they get our Expertise and oversight for their entire trip.

What should our readers know about your business?
I began my career life many years ago as a Flight Attendant for Pan Am. Following that I spent 30 years in Healthcare Administration, and completed my Master’s Degree in Health Science. Looking towards my retirement, I decided to return to my love of travel and opened my own travel agency, Cruise Planners-5 Star Journeys, LLC, a franchise of Cruise Planners.

The biggest challenge of being a Travel Advisor is gaining the trust and confidence of clients. I specialize in luxury travel and making my clients travel dreams come true. My goal is that they have a wonderful experience from the moment they walk out their door to the moment they return home. Luckily, I have a lovely base of clients that continue to rely on my services and refer others.

One of the misconceptions about Travel Advisors is that it will cost the clients extra to utilize my services. While a small pocket of very high-ed Advisors may charge a nominal fee, my services are complimentary to my clients. Commission comes from the vendor side. My clients will never pay more than if they booked the travel themselves and often, I can provide extra perks that they wouldn’t otherwise receive. And the best part is that they get my expertise, guidance and support through their journey. Should they have any issues while traveling, I am always available to them.

I have learned several things along the way, but the most important is do what you love to the very best of your ability. If you do the right thing for the right reason you can never go wrong.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in Florence, SC, about 90 minutes from Myrtle Beach. We would start out locally by visiting the downtown art Museum, have a spa experience at Hotel Florence and then dinner at Victor’s in the Hotel Florence. Then we would spend a few days down at the beach. We would stay at the Marriott Grand Dunes in Myrtle Beach, check out Boardwalk on the Beach, ride the ferris wheel, walk the pier and have a wonderful seafood dinner at Captain’s Table.

Traveling south down the coast, we would stop and visit Murrell’s Inlet, Pauly’s Island, and then stay in Charleston at the Hotel Bennett (King’s Club access) in the center of historic downtown. After a mani/pedi at the spa, a stroll down King street. After a rooftop yoga session and a lovely brunch at Callies Little Hot Biscuit, followed by shopping and long stroll on the Battery.

For our last evening, we would have dinner and drinks at Gabrielle in the Hotel Bennett. After a wonderful nights sleep, I would drop my friend at the airport and head home.

Website: 5StarJourneys.com

Instagram: @5StarJourneys

Linkedin: Toni Gault

Facebook: CruisePlanners-5StarJourneys.com