In 1993, Connie felt that the travel industry was changing. And she wanted more time to spend with her vacation-bound clients and family rather than being bogged down with paperwork and airline ticketing. That's when she decided to move her store-front agency to her home, take on home-based agents with a desire to provide genuine service and with a concern for the quality of the vacations of their clients, and to concentrate on vacations rather than selling airline tickets. What Connie did in 1993 is now much more common. In fact, she has been quoted in various travel industry trade magazines such as 'Travel Agent', 'Travel Life' and 'ASTA Management' regarding home-based travel agencies.
With a personal interest in deaf culture and ASL, and a developing interest in limited mobility issues, Connie George Travel Associates seemed to naturally begin working with clients who had special needs back in the beginning. Now we work with clients nationwide in both more "typical" vacations as well as the details of vacations for people who have disabilities. In fact, we are now one of the biggest "disabled travel" specialists in the US!
Our Associates
Connie George, CTC |
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Connie began working in the travel industry in 1978 and earned her Certified Travel Counselor degree five years later. She developed extensive experience in vacation and corporate travel arranging as well as management prior to opening a store-front travel agency in 1986 and then her home-based agency. Connie's particular specialties are arranging vacations for groups and for people who are deaf, wheelchair users and slow walkers. Connie has been quoted in magazines such as 'Travel Weekly' on disabled travel, has written articles on the subject and has been a speaker at ASTA and American Airlines conferences for travel agents who wanted to learn more about how to better work with disabled travelers. |
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Vicki Thorp |
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Vicki specializes in arranging travel for people with mobility issues and loves to sell (and go on!) cruises and land vacations. She's traveled extensively in the
When she's not booking vacations, she's involved with animals in her home state of |
Tracy Cross |
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Tracy is the musician in our group. He has played guitar semi-professionally in the Houston area for over 40 years. Before becoming a travel agent, he traveled extensively, eventually becoming an avid fan of cruising. Now, Tracy focuses mostly on selling cruise vacations. Disabled himself, he knows that cruising is tailor-made for individuals who have physical challenges but still want to explore the world. Tracy loves his work because he gets to use his experience to handle details for travelers with similar needs to avoid the many pitfalls he has personally confronted. Tracy has also handled group cruises sailing from Texas, including his own "fan-based cruise" for those who enjoy listening to his band, the Party Favors, perform as well as relaxing at sea with the group. |
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Sandy Wheeler |
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Sandy lives in the Outer Banks of North Carolina where she and her husband are ruled by their two rat terriers. She has raised children, spent 20 years teaching high school, escorted student groups, and has extensive training and experience with music. Some of the skills honed in those areas are used when she does trip planning with her clients. Sandy specializes in "ladies getaway" and theme group cruises as well as honeymoon and romance cruises and trips. She enjoys meeting new people, planning trips, and discovering new and fun places to visit. When not working, she likes to design and sew clothing, grow organic herbs and share her love of music with students and her church. |
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"Just wanted to say hello & let you know how much we loved St. Lucia!!! Rendevous was perfect & the island was just beautiful!! Thank you again for all your help in planning our honeymoon!" - Carly & Bill
"Thank you so much for all the hard work and time you dedicated to our wedding cruise. Your attention to detail and dedication are what make you an excellent travel agent. I also want to personally thank you for the times when sanity and reason were not on my side, you were a great comfort. You are the best!!!" -Teresa & Pete
"Tracy, Thanks so much for a job well done. It was the best vacation that I've ever been on in my whole life. It was absolutely amazing - everything was. ... Our hotel was really nice. They were so friendly in fact, that we ate dinner there on a few occassions for the purpose of visiting with the wait staff who had really interesting stories to share! ... We were greeted promptly at the airport just past customs by a Perillo agent. She helped us get our bags, put us on the bus, and was very helpful throughout the stay. ... Jason and I had a great time, and we really felt that you saved us a lot of money with this package deal. I'm totally a walking advertisement for you now! All my teacher friends want to know who I used to get such an amazing trip, and don't worry, I'm passing your name right along! ... Thanks for all of your hard work. It really paid off for us. I wish you all the luck in the future, and I'm sure that we'll be calling you again in the near future for another perfect vacation!" ... -Jamie
"We absolutely loved the cruise!!!! We had the best time and met so many people. I need to get the pictures developed and then I'll send you some. Thanks again for all your help." -Jennifer
"We had a wonderful time in Jamaica. The weather was in the 80's everyday, and Breezes was wonderful. Everything was very clean, and the food was excellent. The staff was very helpful, and extremely nice. I'd like to be there right now, and never have to deal with this snow!!!! -Jane
"I want to thank you. We just got back from the (Disney) Wonder cruise. You did a beautiful job advising my daughter. We all had a great time. We had gorgeous weather. Connie, you did a wonderful job! Everything--- the transportation, the people who drove us, everyone was so nice and I thank you for all of your help. It was really, really great and we loved our rooms and our itinerary." -Mona
"We are going to send you some pictures so you can "meet" our family... It's hard to describe the time we had, especially the grandkids who spent lots of time with kids their own age in "Kids Club". My son Frank calls this trip "fabulous" even though he's been all over the world, and the rest of the gang can't thank us enough for the wonderful trip. My personal thanks for all you arranged to make it as nice as can be." -Carlo & Lee
"Well, a good time was had by all. I just wanted to take a minute and thank you for making the arrangements for us. We appreciate all your help." -Lizann
"We surely appreciated your handling of the travel arrangements. Everything was just right, and it all worked out so well. You gave John great advice and were so helpful in all the details. Many, many thanks! It was a wonderful and memorable experience, and one we'll treasure the rest of our lives." -Shirley
"We had an AMAZING time and everyone wants me to send along a HUGE thank you for everything you did!!!! Thank you for the chocolates in our room too!!!" -Ginny & group
"Thank you very much for your splendid service, and the nice frame booklets! It was a great surprise." -Forrest
"You are our sweetheart travel agent and we truly appreciate all your hard work and time!" -Laurel
"Many 'thank yous' for all your sincere hard work over the years." -Felicia
"Thank you so much for your warm wishes & photo album. Our honeymoon was fantastic thanks to your time & dedication." -Greg & Reneé
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again for all your efforts in resulting in my having an incredible pilgrimage experience in the Holy Land. I will forever cherish my time spent there in all the Holy sites visited where Jesus lived and spent his ministry and gave his life for my sins and the world. Thanks for making it happen." -Linda
"Thanks a lot for the nifty photo album! What a nice memento of our trip, and of the very pleasant time we had working with you on the arrangements. You really took good care of us, and Maupintour was a great recommendation. When I'm cooking up my next grand plan, you can count on a call from me!" -John
"I just wanted to thank you SOOOO much for everything you did. Laura, Cheryl and I had an awesome trip! We really appreciated the fruit basket you sent. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will be recommending your travel agency to anyone who is planning a trip!!" -Christine
"WOW what a weekend! Thanks for your hand in creating the most unbelievable weekend. Both kids just praised you up and down and Bruce and I thank you for it." -Brigitte
"As Michael said last evening, '...Dad, it's the only vacation when Maria and I didn't fight once.' Ah yes, now there is a ringing endorsement for a cruise as the vacation of choice!" -Chuck
"Can't tell you what an incredible time we had on our cruise. Thank you so much for being a major part in coordinating this trip. The Royal Caribbean staff could not have been more accommodating. In particular our waiter Hekmet, assistant server Nicoletta and a member of the bar staff - Vivian Martin. They were terrific. The scenery, excursions and Royal Caribbean made it the best vacation of our lives." -Donna & Ken
"The Royal Caribbean cruise was terrific. The food, service, tours, etc. were all great. You picked a perfect ship for us. Bruce and I truly had a ball. The entertainment was varied and fun. Lots to do and yet could be alone if you wanted." -Brigitte
"Boy, if the rest of the world treated people the way you do your clients, it would be a great world!" -Tina
"My son is so pleased that I really enjoyed the trip that he has suggested I start planning another - sounds good to me!" -Anne
"Thank you so much for everything. This was the best vacation we all have ever had!!" -Stephanie
"Our brothers and sisters really appreciate your customer service!! We will have peace of mind while they are abroad." -Trang
Four months after booking their cruise, our monitoring caught a $260 savings AND a four category upgrade for Sandy & Carlos. Their response was, "This is great!!!! Who says I need a travel agent here in Houston, when I've found the best living in PA. We can't wait!" -Sandy & Carlos
