[Travelandtourism] Article from Agent Life Magazine

[cheryl echevarria]

Agent Life Magazine is the monthly magazine for NACTA - National Association 
of Career Travel Agents, they did an interview with me a few months ago, and 
it just came out today.

I got the word document so that I can post the store here.


A Day In the Life: Making Travel Possible

A NACTA agent advocates for the importance of travel for everyone with the 
help of Norwegian Cruise Lines.

By Julie Anne Long

When Cheryl Echevarria lost her sight in 2001 due to complications of 
diabetes, her life changed. She had to learn how to use a cane and get used 
to a service animal and learning Braille. Her previous career as an 
administrative assistant was put on hold for four years while she underwent 
dialysis daily. In 2005, when her health had stabilized, she assessed both 
her options and her desires. She had a love of travel and had often acted as 
an unofficial travel agent in her role as an administrative assistant. With 
help from a member of the National Federation of the Blind, she was 
connected with a host agency, Montrose Travel, and opened Echevarria Travel 
in 2009.

"I want everyone to be able to travel," says Cheryl. "Right now, I would say 
75% of my time is spent advocating for impaired travel and 25% of my time is 
spent booking travel for the disabled."

As she has navigated the world of travel and how it relates to the disabled, 
Cheryl has found a great partner in Norwegian Cruise Lines.

"With Norwegian Cruise Lines, I can contact them through Facebook, Twitter, 
or e-mail, and I am immediately put into contact with the right person," 
says Cheryl.

Recently, Cheryl scheduled a ship tour on the Norwegian Gem for a group of 
blind people and the parents of blind children.

"It was the first time I had ever done anything like this," admits Cheryl. 
"And for many people with us, it was their very first time on a cruise 
 ship."

The ship tour allowed the group to explore the Norwegian Gem at their own 
pace and ask questions relevant to their own travel needs and wants. 
According to Cheryl, instances like this are educational for everyone: the 
people on the tour and the travel partner, as well.

"They were so accommodating to us," says Cheryl. "At lunch, they brought out 
menus in Braille."

As the president of the travel and tourism division of the National 
Federation of the Blind, Cheryl is passionate about travel for the impaired.

"I sell what I know," says Cheryl. "And it all comes down to asking your 
client questions. It's not about where you can't go, or what you can't do. 
It's about what is possible."

Leading the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com

For daily updates read our blog at
http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com