Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Kelly.
Jim, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I left Galway, Ireland to come to America in October 1963. My wife Teresa was here 4 years before that at the young age of only 15. I met her at the State Ballroom in December of 1963, which was the thing to do back in those days. We both worked in airline industries for more than 20 years – she was at Eastern Airlines and I was at Aer Lingus. It was my first time working in tourism, and I learned a great deal from the Irish-run airline. I really felt like I’d come full circle helping people travel to and from my home country. At times, it was surreal, and I can honestly say it’s always been exciting. The travel industry keeps you on your toes, as there’s always something new. After some time, my wife and I got to the point where we needed a change. We loved our experiences working for airlines, but we wanted to apply those to something different. That’s when we realized it was time to do something on our own. We were so excited to found Crystal Travel & Tours in 1985, and we’ve been loving it ever since.
Has it been a smooth road?
The internet threw a curve ball for many travel agencies. We saw a lot of these companies die out because they couldn’t keep up with the new technology. It was quite a transition for us and a hurdle that we were fortunate enough to overcome with continuous adaptation.
Not to mention, it was a very competitive industry to break into in the first place. There were many agencies all over the Boston area. While that isn’t the case as much locally, there are many on a national level. Initially, we had 3 offices, but today we operate out of West Roxbury, with my son Kevin as Head of Business Development in New York and one of our travel professionals, Elma, working in West Cork, Ireland.
One key factor in motivating us to go the extra mile is our Chief Morale Officer and office dog Hugo. My son Kevin adopted him from the NYC Animal Center in Harlem. He lives with my wife and me when he’s not with Kevin and his family in New York. His favorite hobbies are splitting lunch with me, walking our staff and keeping tabs on us.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are a small, family-run travel agency specializing in Ireland and U.K. tourism. We’re best known for our tours in these countries, but we will and do book trips all over the world. Our tours fall into 3 categories: Self-Drive, Escorted and Chauffeur, with self-drive being the most popular. As a company, I’m most proud of our ability to adjust and adapt to change. People say travel agencies are dying breeds, but I can confidently say we’re doing better now than ever before. I remember the days people used to line up outside of our office to book flights and trips. Technology has changed the physical lines into spreadsheet lines. We’ve managed to keep up with this fast-paced industry while still giving a personal touch in all we do. That’s what really sets us apart. Our employees have the knowledge and insight to guide you and hand-craft your vacation so that it’s exactly what you’re looking for. Success comes with the drive to keep improving and embracing the hard work that goes with it.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Technology is and will continue to play a key role in the travel industry. And despite what they say, it’s actually a big reason why travel agencies are still around. Social media plays a huge role in the way people research, plan and enjoy their vacations. That’s obviously not stopping anytime soon. With that in mind, we’re going to continue to hone in on the world of social media. It’s all about being a part of the conversation, and the most successful industries have realized this.
But it’s not just about social media, and we recognize that, too. We get quite a lot of repeat clients. There are people I’ve known for years who continue to book with us time and time again. Then there are clients who will recommend us to their friends and family, which means a great deal to us. There’s an element of trust that comes into play when you step into Crystal Travel or contact our agents. We realize you’re giving us the responsibility of planning your trip, and not only do we take it seriously, but we consider it a privilege. It’s that sense of trust and dedication that gets us so many of our referrals. We take pride in this, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
In terms of our tours, we’ve always sold Ireland trips the most. Within the next 5 to 10 years, however, the market for Scotland is growing and will continue to expand. That’s going to be a bigger focus for us, as well as more England and Wales tours. We love what we do, and we’re thrilled to share the culture and beauty of these regions with so many people.
Contact Info:
- Address: Crystal Travel & Tours
100 Spring Street
Boston, MA 02132 - Website: http://www.crystal-travel.com
- Phone: 1.617.327.4242
- Email: info@crystal-travel.com
- Instagram: @crystaltrvl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrystalTravelTours
- Other: https://50reasonspodcast.com
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