Her relationship with Abercrombie & Kent dates back to 1992 when she was working at New Wave Travel, and a client wanted to go to Africa. “I checked around and Abercrombie & Kent were the best … and they’re still tops in my book,” says Vision Travel’s VP Leisure Travel, Lynda Sinclair.

Now Sinclair finds herself appointed to the advisory board of the well-known luxury tour operator, the first Canadian to serve on the otherwise entirely American board, including A&K Founder, Chairman and CEO Geoffrey Kent and Vice Chairman, Jorie Butler Kent.

Liaising on a quarterly basis, the board comprises the top travel agents who provide first-hand advice about consumer habits, demands and requirements. It is this insight that enables “I’m thrilled and delighted to be invited onto the A&K advisory board. It is a huge honour as A&K is one of the world’s truly blue-chip tour operators and I fully applaud the value they bring,” said Sinclair.

Sinclair was selected based on her superior expertise within luxury leisure travel in the Canadian market. Her support and guidance over the past several years has helped A&K grow its business significantly, despite challenges in currency values and world events, said the company.

Founded in 1962, A&K is known for its exceptional experiences worldwide, from deluxe safaris to their private jet tours. “Abercrombie & Kent truly deliver what they promise and all of us at Vision admire their philosophy and philanthropic works,” said Sinclair.

Vision Travel has been a member of the company’s Top 100 Club for the past five years. Vision has also been named A&K’s top-grossing multi-branch retail travel partner worldwide.

Sinclair said one of her primary contributions to the company over the years has been connections and relationships to advisors who could sell A&K product. “As Vision acquires more team members I began introducing all the advisors who had clients and the potential advisors who I knew could grow a client base into A&K clients.”

What does her advisory board appointment say about the increasingly high profile and respect for home-based travel agents? As Sinclair points out, it’s not just about home-based advisors, but all travel advisors. “They do respect all travel advisors … they wanted to stay fresh as the industry evolves, to learn about what younger advisors need, what new processes these advisors are using, how to work with younger clients. They know they need to be available around the clock to help close bookings for advisors, as advisors have to make themselves available.”