As one of Avanti Destinations' longest-standing employees, Tami has been the heart and soul of our Italy (and other European) products for more than twenty years. Over two decades ago, she started out in Avanti’s Reservations Department, spent a stint in Operations, and then settled into her role on the Product Team, now gleaming as our Senior Product Manager. Though she has taken on responsibilities for various countries over the decades, she currently oversees the destination management and product selection for Italy, France, and Malta. Tami and the Product Manager team are continuously expanding Avanti’s offerings by working closely with our international suppliers, as well as working hand-in-hand with Avanti’s internal teams to ensure that the products stay updated in our system and are easily accessible to you, our Travel Advisor partners. Tami is one of Avanti’s most knowledgeable, well-traveled, and enthusiastic employees, having gone on more than 75 trips via educational excursions, trade shows, summits, and supplier gatherings. Discover more about what’s new and upcoming with our Product Team, and discover Tami’s insider tips with the full article below!
Tell Us About Your Role As Avanti's Senior Product Manager: "In a nutshell, the Product Team's biggest responsibility is to ensure that Avanti is always offering a wide variety of interesting products that appeal to many different types of passengers. We are always in constant communication with our suppliers and visit often to keep updated with what’s going on. There is a lot happening behind the scenes, such as working around big events like the Olympics this year in France, the Jubilee happening next year in Italy, fashion shows, air shows, and lots of events all year round! We have to understand everchanging ticketing policies and booking entrances for iconic attractions as well. We want your travelers to have the best trip of their lives, so it’s important that we’re really in tune with all of these aspects! In addition to the products themselves, we are responsible for keeping things updated in our system, training our staff, and hosting educational webinars and/or marketing to keep our advisors in the loop about what we offer."
What is Unique About Avanti's Products: "We were really one of the first companies to offer such an impressively wide variety of experiences that meet varying interests and are customizable to fit exactly what the client is looking for. While we offer the most popular tours in desired cities, we truly specialize in unique excursions like hot air balloon rides at sunrise, cooking classes in local family homes, Vespa adventures through the countryside, romantic cruises at sunset, soaking in a beer spa, and snow resorts made of ice. We also love giving travelers the opportunity to learn about a destination through experiences, like meeting passionate local producers and artisans, whether it’s food, wine, perfume, or woodwork. These are usually the best days of the trip! We are constantly seeking out new products, so our list is always growing and changing, with the aim to provide your clients with what they want – and even some surprises and special touches along the way that will create lasting memories."
What Is Something People Might Now Know About Avanti: "We focus on building strong relationships with our suppliers, and many of these partnerships have lasted for decades. Because of our close collaborations, we are able to craft each tour like a recipe. We hand-pick every component to make them unique, and often, they are further customizable based on the clients' desires. We also offer a wide variety of transfer/tour combinations so clients can make the most of their trip while moving from place to place. For instance, when clients are traveling from Florence to Venice, instead of merely booking a train or transfer from point A to B, we can include a visit in Bologna along the way to get lunch at a local market and introduce them to an otherwise overlooked spot. Our suppliers stand behind their products and provide support 24/7, meaning they immediately address any in-travel inquiries, ensuring your customers are fully taken care of during their trip."
What Is New and Upcoming with Avanti Products: "Our biggest release this year has been our South Pacific launch! We now offer Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, which has been very exciting. We have also continued to expand our driver guide itineraries across Europe, most notably in Ireland. We will continue to expand on these, and are currently looking at adding a couple in France. Upcoming in my regions specifically, I am adding more boutique hotels and new experiences in smaller, more personable places, away from the crowds of larger cities. A few of my favorites are the quaint towns and countryside locations in Sicily and Puglia in Italy, as well as Bordeaux, Lyon, and the Provençal villages of France. There are so many treasures to share with your clients, and I can't wait to continue securing these hidden gems for your travelers."
What Is Your Most Memorable Travel Experience: "Italy will always be my number one true love and hold a special place in my heart because of its unparalleled beauty, warmth, its amazing food, and because of our incredible suppliers and lifelong friends I have made along the way. Beyond Italy though, I think some of the most memorable experiences for me have been those outside of Europe, since that is not my typical territory. I have loved Thailand, Costa Rica, and Belize – most notably because I am a huge animal lover, and I had the opportunity to volunteer at different sanctuaries and animal shelters in each of those places. I spent time with elephants, abandoned dogs, and lots of sweet baby animals as they get rehabilitated."
What Are Some of Your Travel Recommendations: "Slow down. Whether it's your first time traveling or not, include a lesser known area in your itinerary. Sure, feel free to include those bucket list destinations, but also book a couple of days in a countryside town you don't know much about. Take the time to meet local food producers, chat with wine makers, enjoy a meal in a home, and hear residents talk about their passions and their lives. Not only will you get to know the destination up close, but it will enhance your perspective on life. Also leave some free time in your itinerary to wander and explore on your own. We have so many ways to connect travelers to these experiences – reach out to us!"
Thank you, Tami, for sharing your insights, and for all that you do for Avanti!