Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Pomeroy.
Melissa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Fiji has been a part of life since inception. My parents went to Fiji on their Honeymoon 46 years ago (they are still married) and together as a family we traveled back and forth visiting different resorts and islands each year never repeating a resort twice until I was 18. My father was the exclusive travel agent for a surf island in Fiji called Tavarua so travel was in my blood. In high school my father and I bought the domain, www.fijivacations.com with the goal that I would one day run it. I wanted to sell packages for honeymooners, families and divers to Fiji. Over the last 18 years, I have built the premiere travel agency specializing in the Fiji Islands. Our marketing strategies are always ahead of the curve and out of the box, we are constantly improving our websites, relationships and love the path we are leading.
We are known as the authority in the industry and all of my agents are certified Matai Fiji Specialists. We truly pride ourselves on being able to place clients in the perfect resort for their needs. We specialize in Destination Weddings too! We have done weddings up to 170 people (tony Hawk) and down to just the bride and groom. I even planned my own wedding for 130 people in Fiji in 2010.
Fiji is still in my blood as I travel back and forth with my parents and my family now. I look at this career and I love coming to work everyday!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In every business, there are challenges. We had to endure the 2008 economy crisis and leisure travel really suffered. I had to think about how we could survive and the one market that was impermeable was the Honeymoon Market. No matter what was happening in the world those honeymooners were going to travel. We positioned ourselves right in front of the honeymooners at trade shows and that saved us.
After that, we had and have to constantly fight with the Online Companies that want to swallow us. We have had to show our clients that we offer something they do not. We offer service, advice and a real person that they can count on to talk, answer questions and ultimately be there if something should go wrong. We offer a level of service that is second to none and our clients value that. Price is not always the deciding factor. We have seen clients value the service and personal knowledge over price. We are nimble and cognoscente of our environment and we are able to adapt quickly to changes in the market and are ready to do so at a moment’s notice to survive and thrive.
Fiji Vacations – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
FijiVacations.com is the leading travel agency in North America specializing in the Fiji Islands. I am really proud of our product, my team constantly exudes excellence. They will stay as late as needed to service clients, they take calls on the weekends, after hours and work tirelessly to make sure every need is met. I am also proud of our relationships within our industry, we work really hard to maintain those relationships with resort owners, managers, representatives, the airline and tourism board. We cooperatively share marketing campaigns throughout the year and that speaks volumes about our relationships that they trust us to get the job done.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is a job well done even without the positive review from a client. Clients tend to only take time to let you know if something went wrong as they get home and are busy getting back to life. I know that if our clients trip was perfect within our control then that is success. That client will remember that positive experience and tell others whether they tell us or not!
Success is that we are still standing as many many other companies have faded away or closed their doors, we are surviving and thriving and always looking to expand our reach.
Success is giving back. We have partnered with the Loloma Foundation which is an amazing charity based in San Diego that offers FREE medical services ranging from dentistry, oBGYN, various general medical procedures. We also support local schools in Newport Beach, Life Rolls On Foundation, John Wayne Cancer Foundation and various other charities with trip donations.
Pricing:
- Airfare LAX- Fiji from $995 round trip per person including taxes. Must book N class before 31 JAN. Based on availability
- Air, Land, 7 night package price from $2500 per person
Contact Info:
- Address: 711 West 17th Street
Suite H1
Costa Mesa, CA 92617 - Website: www.fijivacations.com
- Phone: 8009271923
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @fijivacations
- Facebook: @fijivacations
- Twitter: @travel2fiji
Image Credit:
Fiji Vacations
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