Kari Thomas, CTC, president of Will Travel Inc., in Langhorne, Pa., was honored with the American Society of Travel Agents’ (ASTA) 2006 Young Professional Award during ASTA’s annual meeting at…
Kari Thomas, CTC, president of Will Travel Inc., in Langhorne, Pa., was honored with the American Society of Travel Agents’ (ASTA) 2006 Young Professional Award during ASTA’s annual meeting at THETRADESHOW (Travel Retailing and Destination Expo) in Orlando. This is the first year that the Young Professional Award is being presented; it recognizes the efforts of an outstanding young travel professional. The Young Professional Society (YPS) targets travel agents under 40, for the purpose of networking, education and career development.
“Kari Thomas was instrumental in helping to develop YPS in 2004, while still running a travel agency and being a very involved chapter president in the Delaware Valley,” said ASTA President and CEO Kathryn W. Sudeikis, CTC. “She constantly reaches out to lend a hand to her clients, employees, fellow ASTA members and the community. Last fall, she was able to gain community support in the wake of Hurricane Katrina by gathering supplies and sending them to victims. ASTA is thrilled to present this award to Kari Thomas, a highly, dedicated travel professional.”
Thomas has been a member of ASTA for the past 11 years and during this time served as chapter president from 2001-2005 and as a member of the board of directors from 2004-2005. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Millersville University and obtained her Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) distinction in 1999 from the Travel Institute. Thomas completed a course in family niche travel and has completed specialist courses for travel to Ireland, Great Britain, Scotland, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Bosnia, Croatia, Herzegovina and Montenegro.
Thomas appeared in Travel Agent magazine as one of the travel industry’s “100 Rising Stars” in April 1999 and June 2003. Additionally, she was featured in Travel Weekly as one of the “Forty under Forty” leaders of the next generation in the travel industry. Thomas is the third generation in her family involved with Will Travel, which has been an ASTA member for 32 years. She directs the marketing programs and works with preferred travel partners to ensure clients the best travel experience at Will Travel.
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