Local travel agency provides alternative for travellers

She never wanted another family to go through a bad experience like she had, which is why she offers her customers, at Boardman Discount Travel, a sense of traveling comfort.

“Your emphasis has to be customer service,” Yozwiak said.

Using a travel agency today may sound unnecessary with websites such as Travelocity available for travelers, but Yozwiak said when customers come to her, they have more than a travel agent — they have a travel consultant.

“Travel agencies are still alive and well,” Yozwiak said. “A travel agency does more than just buy a ticket or book a cruise. [The customer] is going to get the expertise of the agent.”

Yozwiak has been in business since 1997 but celebrated a grand opening of Boardman Discount Travel’s Market Street location in April. The Valley resident was a teacher and principal with the Diocese of Youngstown schools when she decided to open her own travel agency.

“I always had a love and passion for travel,” Yozwiak said.

After a travel agency Yozwiak used many times caused her family to nearly miss a flight and a cruise, Yozwiak told her husband she was going to school to become a travel agent. She attended the former American Travel Training Center, which was located on South Avenue in Boardman. Her agency is certified to sell travel, and Yozwiak remains a part of the Cruise Lines International Association and the National Association of Career Travel Agents.

“What got me into [travel] was I wanted to provide the best prices so families could afford to go on vacation,” Yozwiak said.

She also wanted to remain supportive for her customers, which is why Boardman Discount Travel is open seven days a week and travelers always have a contact for her in case of emergency.

“You never know when someone might need you.” Yozwiak said.

Besides having in-person customer service, Yozwiak said dealing with a travel agency gives the customers access to more of everything: airfare, hotels, cruises, etc.

“Our inventory encompasses every company that is out there,” Yozwiak said.

Having the option to explore every offer can be difficult on the Internet because many travel companies have agreements with certain hotels and airlines, Yozwiak said.

“When people go to the Internet to book, they only see a select, very partial view of the inventory available,” Yozwiak said.

With the travel industry being very competitive, Yozwiak said getting deals as a travel agent is simple because resorts and travel distributors are fighting for her business.

“There is no incentive for these huge multibillion [dollar] travel resorts to give one specific person a deal,” Yozwiak said.

For some people who are not tech-savvy or just can’t push the enter button after selecting a vacation package, a travel agency may be a helpful tool. Yozwiak specializes in selling Disney trips, and she has four employees who also are specialized in selling for various occasions or various locations.

“In order to still be in this business, you have to have a passion for travel and hang in there for the ups and downs that parallel the economy,” Yozwiak said.

At Boardman Discount Travel, there are no service fees or consulting fees for customers thinking about travel.

One customer of Boardman Discount Travel said he will never travel again without a travel agency after a recent family trip to Disney.

Owner of Innovative Family Wellness of Boardman, Dr. Noah Erickson, his wife and two children went on an eight-day, seven-night trip to Disney, and with Yozwiak’s help, they were able to save money and had her to guide them around the Disney parks.

“We had a personal, on-board travel agent,” said Erickson, “I would have felt lost without that kind of guidance. I wouldn’t do it any other way.”

With a belief in supporting local business, thanking customers for their business and giving to organizations in the area, sometimes Yozwiak is told she isn’t business oriented enough. But to her, it’s not about the business or the money — it’s about the service she gives to her customers.

“You have to be yourself to be successful,” Yozwiak said.

For more information about pricing and travel, go to BoardmanDiscountTravel.com.