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Anna’s Journey to Transforming the Travel Industry

In an industry where authenticity and expertise are key, Anna stands out as a supplier leader who is redefining what it means to connect travellers with the perfect travel experiences. Here’s a closer look at her remarkable journey and vision for the future.


A Bold Leap from Corporate to Wanderlust

Fifteen years ago, Anna made a courageous decision—leaving behind a corporate marketing career to pursue her lifelong passion for travel. “I wanted to help people experience their dream holidays,” she recalls. Starting as a travel agent, Anna quickly built a loyal clientele that trusted her expertise to craft memorable journeys. As her reputation grew, she transitioned into a home-based role, focusing on repeat and referral business—a model that allowed her to deliver truly personal travel experiences.


Anna Shannon, Founder of Travel Agent Finder
Anna Shannon, Founder of Travel Agent Finder

Pivoting in the Face of Adversity

The global pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to the travel industry. Like many, Anna found herself at a crossroads when her role as a travel agent was disrupted. However, instead of stepping away from her passion, she returned to her marketing roots—this time with a renewed focus on supporting the travel industry in crisis.

“I started working in marketing again, outside of the industry, but soon realized I could make a difference for small local businesses and owner operators struggling to juggle everything,” Anna explains.

Innovating with Purpose

Determined to empower her peers, Anna launched Travel Agent Finder—a platform designed to help travellers find agents based on expertise, and in doing so, bolster the online presence of travel agents. Recognizing an even larger gap, she later introduced Travel Trade Connect. This extension not only facilitates connections between agents and suppliers but also provides access to vital resources, events, training courses, and destination information.

With over 1,000 members now benefiting from her platform, Anna’s work is a testament to the power of digital marketing and personal branding in today’s travel landscape.


The Power of Personal Branding

Looking ahead to 2025, Anna believes that travel agents must embrace personal branding. “It’s not just about the brand you work for, but you—your individual expertise, reviews, and passion. That’s what truly attracts clients,” she emphasizes. By showcasing their unique skills and personal touch, agents can rise above the competition and offer unparalleled travel experiences.


Some fun facts about Anna!

Anna has a deep love for conspiracy theories, the paranormal, and anything that makes you question reality. She thrives on the unexplained and the unexpected!

And if you try to put her in a box? Well, she’ll probably jump out—just to keep things interesting



Looking Forward

Anna’s journey—from corporate marketer to industry innovator—illustrates the transformative power of passion and resilience. By blending traditional travel expertise with cutting-edge digital marketing, she is not only helping travel agents thrive but also reshaping the industry for the better.


Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight visionary leaders like Anna who are driving change and inspiring new standards in travel.

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