Who's Who Travel

TRAVEL OUT'N ABOUT TRAVEL who's who | TRAVEL 27 I n the early '90s, my niche was travel for the LGBTQ community. I saw a real need to have a place that was open and welcoming. We were a rare bunch of people back then," she says. "The world is becoming more inclusive, so more of our clients are looking for 'mainstream' holidays now. I love that — I love how it's become so diverse." Today, Out'n About Travel has a diverse range of customers. Burndorfer says she's just as likely to work with corporations as individuals these days. "We're handling more corporate travel now than we are leisure," she adds. "The tide is shifting." Burndorfer believes travel should be an experience, so her agency specializes in creating trips that align with a client's interests and budget. "We're giving them an experience and making sure they hit all the highlights," she says. "We're doing a lot of adventure travel, like Machu Picchu or the Galapagos." She's arranged custom trips for clients with strong interests in cooking or religion. River cruises in Europe, Asia, South America and the U.S. are becoming more popular as well. Her agency also specializes in destination weddings for both gay and straight couples. "People want these big life experiences when they travel, and you really need to have an agent with experience for these more intricate trips," she says. "We recommend things to our clients and know the tricks of the trade — you just don't get that online." In fact, more people are coming back to travel agencies after realizing the limitations of booking tours online. "Online sites are one-dimensional. You never get the full picture. The experience and knowledge we offer is invaluable." There's a misconception that working with travel agents is more expensive than booking online, but Burndorfer says that's simply not true. "You think you're getting these great deals when you book online, but what are you getting at the end?" she says. "When you've got a really good relationship with a travel agent, it will likely cost you less. Once you find a good travel agent, they'll do anything for you." Burndorfer and her team strive to get clients the best deals, but they also take other things into consideration, such as the number of flight changes, the quality of the hotels, and the time spent languishing in airports. "We look outside the box, and we need to be on top of things — we're constantly trying to reinvent the wheel," she says. "Many of our clients have been with us since we started. Give us a shot — try us out and see how you feel." That said, not all travel agencies are created equal. Burndorfer says you should work with an agent who will look out for your best interests. "Sometimes travel agents are their own worst enemies," she says. "A good travel agent should listen to you, and get to know your needs and budget, asking you questions and listening to your answers. No one should try to push you into something you don't want." Outnabouttravel.com 204-985-9200 CREATING AN EXPERIENCE Out'n About Travel thinks outside the box BY HOLLI MONCRIEFF ABOVE RIGHT: LYNNE ROBIDOUX BURNDORFER, MARIE-SEHLLY COLY, OWNER LINDA R BURNDORFER AND CRYSTAL PETERSON TAKE CARE OF BIG-PICTURE ITEMS AND SMALL DETAILS IN PLANNING TRIPS. PHOTOS BY DARCY FINLEY Linda Burndorfer has seen a lot of changes in the industry since she opened the first gay-owned and operated travel agency in Manitoba back in 1994. And that's a good thing. " "PEOPLE WANT THESE BIG LIFE EXPERIENCES WHEN THEY TRAVEL, AND YOU REALLY NEED TO HAVE AN AGENT WITH EXPERIENCE FOR THESE MORE INTRICATE TRIPS."

• Cover