One of the best parts of being in the Tourism industry for many years is the people I meet. Our industry has an endless list of talented, hardworking, fun-loving and creative professionals. I decided to interview my friends and give you a peek into their lives and careers. Feel free to ask questions in the comments section, and I will follow-up with the guest interviewed.
This week we hear from my friend Palmyre Gilles, from the Cuivres d’Art Albert Gilles – Copper Art Studio & Museum in Quebec Canada. Palmyre and I were on a Women entrepreneurs in Travel panel at NTA a few months ago and I knew my readers would love to hear her story.
Tell us a bit about how you got started in the tourism industry.
Since our Copper Art Studio is our family business, founded by my dad in 1927, I started at a very young age in public relations! ………my mom would place my crib in our Art Studio when we had visitors and groups at our place! Later on, at 22 years old, I began representing our attraction at tourism shows, like NTA, Atelier Canada (Canadian show in France), and Bienvenue Québec in Québec. I also started representing our company at our Tourism Office (DMO), and to different levels of governments.
What is your current job and what are your primary responsibilities?
In the family, we are all “Jacks of all trades”! I greet and give guided tours to the groups we welcome, I also work in our studios polishing our copper creations, …..as well as cleaning up the washrooms! But my main job is public relations, marketing, and accounting.
Deciding to which marketplace or travel exchange we will attend, and doing the follow-up. I take care of advertising, as well as our website.
What are some of the changes you have seen since you began your career?
The biggest change is technology. 20 years ago, we depended on our folders, their distribution, and the advertising we would take in different magazines or tourism guidebooks. Today, paper is almost out! Websites have to adapt to cell phones, visitors place comments on your establishment on Expedia or other travel sites. Everything is much faster and immediate and has a larger impact.
What tourism trends are you seeing that will impact your job and how you work in the next 2 years?
Travelers want to ‘experience’ a destination and not just do sightseeing. It will impact changes in how we present our attraction to our visitors, and what they will ‘live’ during their visit. The world is more and more filled with technology and at the same time, I think travelers will search for more ‘enchanting moments’ to remember.
It’s vacation time – where do you go?
Europe! I like history, architecture, museums…..
What is your favorite app and tell us a bit about it.
My agenda app on my cell phone and tablet…..I write everything on it: to do list, contacts I must call,….birthdays…..I have a very bad memory!
What is your favorite tradeshow and why?
NTA! I re-started attending in 2015, (after a 17 years gap), and I noticed that Tour Operators I meet, are really interested and truly open to change or add new attractions on their tours.
What advice do you have for someone just getting started in the tourism industry?
You have to love public relations and people. Be attentive to the needs of your clients (tour operators). Also, try to choose a place and organization you truly love and feel a part of. I have never seen an industry, where people change jobs so frequently! Stability makes it easier for your clients.
Enjoy this short video of the Cuivres d’Art Albert Gilles – Copper Art Studio & Museum