Monday Minute: Jamie Badowski of The Travel Agent Next Door

The Monday Minute is a weekly feature in PAX that highlights the movers, shakers, leaders and rule breakers of Canada’s travel advisor community. Wanna be profiled? Wanna nominate someone? Email [email protected]!

Name: Jamie Badowski

Business: The Travel Agent Next Door

Where do you live? Ajax, Ontario

How long have you been a travel advisor? 25 years

What is your specialty? Luxury travel. I’m well versed in luxury all-inclusive travel, FIT packages throughout the world, as well as cruises and river cruise packages.

What inspired you to become a travel advisor? 

I’ve always worked in sales—I started at Transat years ago. My father travelled the world for business and I was so intrigued by his photos and stories, so I thought: “Why don’t I work in travel?” And that was that.

What’s the first trip you ever took? 

The first trip I ever took without my parents was Club Caribbean in Runaway Bay, Jamaica. I’ve loved Jamaica ever since.

What travel trends are you seeing these days? 

I’ve seen an uptick in luxury cruise travel, both river and ocean. Clients are booking for longer durations and really immersing themselves in the destinations, so they’re booking pre-cruise stays and post-cruise stays to add to their experience. 

I’ve also seen a huge uptick for Asia. I have many clients travelling to various countries in Asia, all booking FIT to make it their own holiday, so they have private guides, private transfers, and cooking experiences. 

Of all the bookings you’ve made, which itinerary are you most proud of? 

I book many trips that I would love to sneak into my clients’ luggage and go with them on! This is a hard question for me because I put so much time and care into each individual booking. My clients always get exactly what they ask for. 

One that sticks with me from 2025 is a South African itinerary that I built with the help of one of my trusted travel partners. The clients were off to celebrate their 65th and 75th birthdays and wanted to cross this off their bucket list. Working with them was genuinely amazing—they were so excited, so organized, and so kind. They had the trip of a lifetime. When they got back, I met them at the Ajax waterfront and we went through all of their photos and they shared their amazing experience with me.

What’s the most memorable trip you ever took? 

I love Costa Rica. I’ve been many times and I still haven’t seen it all. The warmth and beauty of the destination is what keeps calling me back. “Once you go, you know” is what I tell clients.

Where do you see your business one year from now? What are your future goals? 

I’ll continue on the same path I’m on. I work by referral only and expand my business booking clients’ friends and family. This works for me. I’ll continue to operate with set hours and deliver amazing experiences for my clients, both on the travel level and the customer service level. Some of my clients have been booking with me for 25 years and I’m now booking their once-children on vacations with their significant others. It really is special to have long-time clients.

What’s one thing you would change about the travel industry? 

I want the industry to be united, with everyone respecting the different roles that make this business work. I’ll never forget a quote my manager told me 25 years ago: “You cannot clap with one hand.” I use it in many situations, but when I think of the industry as a whole, this couldn’t be more true. There are many moving parts that make this industry a success.

What’s the secret to being successful in this business?

Never stop learning and understanding the moving parts. Educate your clients so they’re ready when they travel. Know what’s in your control and what’s not. Set boundaries to avoid burnout and always be respectful to your clients and your industry partners.

What is your motto? Live, laugh, travel!

What is your number one piece of advice to other travel advisors? 

Know your worth and work smarter, not harder.

Where are you travelling next? 

This is up in the air. I have a big birthday coming up, so I’m undecided.

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