E-mail: rhonda@terramartravel.com
Candidate Statement
After almost 30 years in the travel industry, I can say with some confidence that I have just about seen it all! Economic crises, the tragedies of 9/11, and more recently the pandemic, have all transformed my outlook. I've had the
pleasure of working in the travel business; first as an independent agent, and for the past 23 years as the owner of TerraMar Travel, Inc., a Host Agency in Southern California. TerraMar Travel was founded by myself with
my father who passed 2 years ago. He worked the business until the end of his life and passed on his passion for travel to his family! I caught the travel bug when I was a young child, watching the slide shows of my
parents and my grandparents travels and adventures. My grandparents cruised around the world several times. My grandmother was in Germany and heard Hitler speak when he was coming into power. You can only image
the wonderful stories I heard growing up. What an education and wonderful experience to follow them around the world through slides and pictures. I’ve been so blessed to carry on that tradition and have visited
over 110 countries!
I have always tried to be generous in mentoring, and LOVE mentoring our IC's, and assisting clients with the joy and memories even one journey can imprint on their lives forever. By really submerging myself into flexibility,
seizing opportunities as they present, shepherding new travel advisors and travelers alike I am more at peace about the crazy industry we all love!
I have enjoyed building strong relationships with our supplier partners to strengthen my business along with that of my IC’s. It is so important in our professionalism as Travel Advisors and not only do we have long lasting relationships
we have developed close friendships through the years. I like to think of the travel industry as one big family!
My passion for travel and the industry shines through to my IC's, my clients, and my community. Doing what I love and sharing it with others has brought me joy no matter how challenging the journey. Together we can find
our way to the brightest path forward!
In this everchanging industry of travel it is critical that we rely on the wisdom and experience of more veteran Advisors while learning from the technology driven practices of newer Advisors. Through my many years running a
small, successful Host Agency, I have found that listening to learn allows me to better hear the pain points before jumping in with solutions. We all have a voice, a question, a concern, an idea, and we all can collaborate without
fear of competition or retribution for the improvement of our industry.
I believe attending ASTA events is so important in the learning process of this industry as well as fostering new relationships with Advisors and Suppliers that we meet. I encourage our team of IC’s to attend along with
me. The new ASTA Luxury River Cruise Expo is truly one of the most educational, informative opportunities I’ve had in my many years in this industry. I also encourage us to attend ASTA Global Convention and participate
in the opportunities to advocate on behalf of the travel industry and our traveling clients. Legislative Day in Washington DC brings another great opportunity to participate in advocacy and is so important to further the
mission of ASTA, working on behalf of all of us!
I am currently serving on the ASTA Board as the SBN Director and am seeking re-election for a second term. I am the current Treasurer for our SoCAL ASTA Chapter, past-Secretary and past Chapter President of the California Inland
Empire SBN (formerly NACTA) Chapter. I also serve on the Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Advisory Board. I am an active member of PATH (Professional Association of Travel Hosts), a member of our local PROST Chapter,
and APTA. I have served in many volunteer positions in my community: School District committee chairmanships, Scout leadership, PTA President at all levels as my children were growing up, and Valley Wide Community Outreach
program committees. After suffering the loss of my oldest son to addiction I started volunteering and working with organizations such as GRASP (Grief Recovery After Substance Passing), Moms United to End The War On Drugs,
along with other community, state and National organizations to promote Drug Awareness and work to eliminate the negative stigma associated with addiction.
LET MY EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU! When re-elected as the ASTA SBN DIRECTOR, I will work diligently for you and with you, keeping the ever-evolving needs of the travel industry and small business owners in mind as we prepare for
tomorrow. I will listen to you and bring your concerns and suggestions to the ASTA Board. I bring to the Board my experience as the current SBN Director, and as a business owner.
By nature, I am a gatherer and love to gather wonderful relationships: people with varied backgrounds and bring us all to the conversation. I am passionate about this industry and if re-elected, I will bring with me to the Board:
that passion; my experience in leadership positions; and my perspective from years of traveling, selling travel, and running a travel agency.