Hello everyone and welcome onboard!
In this page, I would like to introduce myself and give you some information about me, l giving you an idea about my background, where I am coming from and my mission and make you feel more confident about the quality of services you will get from My Dream Vacations.
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Introduction
Everything started pretty early for me. I always knew what I wanted to do in my life. I knew that my career would be in the Tourist industry from the beginning. When the time came, I went to College and got my degree in Tourism. That’s how I obtained my IATA-UFTAA diploma in 1991.
A Few Words about The IATA-UFTAA Diploma
The IATA-UFTAA diploma, which is an International Diploma in Tourism, gives you the fundamental knowledge and prepares you to become a Professional Travel Agent and a Tourist Specialist. All Travel Agencies are obliged to have an IATA-UFTAA diploma holder to obtain their license from the National Tourist Organisation.
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My Career Start
My career started right after obtaining my diploma. Back then, everything was prepared manually. We had to search and prepare the itineraries; our clients were asking for, according to multiple facts and rules, searching for prices, fare rules and other information from big books (“The Tariff” and the Rule Book) managing to NWA Airline Ticket offer the best service at the best price.
We had to search other publications (like the Travel Information Manual – TIM) for information regarding entry requirements, allowances, regulations, restrictions, vaccination requirements, etc. We had to give to customers all the Travel Information (Places to See, City Maps, What to do and What Not To, etc.) required for their trip. Nobody had Mobile Internet back then to search anything, anytime and from anywhere, so everything had to be handy and available prior the departure.
We didn’t have hi-tech online reservation systems (like now) where we could get the fare for a round the world trip with just a few clicks. We had to make it happen by ourselves, from scratch and with tons of responsibility since, there was no room for mistakes. That’s what I loved!
As a high-grade student, I had the best references coming from the Principle of my college with job offers from some the best Travel Agencies and Tour Operators in Greece. I enjoyed every single day working for/with all of them and I still miss them since. Unfortunately, most of them are not in the market anymore..
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Change Of Route
In 1997, a route change appeared in my career. I got a position at a Handling Supervision Company at the old Athens Airport (Hellinikon), initially as a Check-In Supervisor.
Later I expanded my knowledge, through training, in other fields too. I become a Ramp Handling Supervisor and an Operations Duty Supervisor. I was arranging and coordinating the ground handling services for passengers and aircraft, making sure that everything was on time, and making sure that those services had the proper quality and according to the International Aviation Safety Rules. In the company I was working for, we were arranging all the Ground Handling Services required for Passenger, Cargo and VIP flights operating in Greece and to be according to airline’s and State’s standards. We were monitoring the 95% of all the VIP / Business flights operating in Greece.
That company also had a subsidiary Air Taxi company that we used to transport people, mostly, around Greece. I was trained to give rates to potential customers for routes with a different kind of business aircraft (jet, propelled and helicopters). Both companies were doing great, expanding and the growth was remarkable! We started hiring new people, and I had the assignment to train them. I prepared Training Manuals, Traning Courses by giving to the newcomers everything required to become responsible agents, operate with safety and according to the company’s and Civil Aviation’s regulations and laws.
In 1998 and for ten months I worked on a great project. An old Aviation Company was ready to start writing its history in the Hellenic Aviation History and expanded from a pure Aviation company, with a few propelled aircraft and based at a small airport in the vicinity of Athens, to a very successful Airline. An airline that is still making us proud. After the end of that ten month period, I went back to the company I used to work for before.
In 2001, the old Athens Airport was closed, and everything was moved to the New State of The Art Athens Airport (El. Venizelos).
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New Projects – New Era
From 2005 till 2007, I worked for two business who intended to make a clear start as Online Travel Agencies, trying to find their way in the innovating, new market of Online Travel Agencies.
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The Final Approach
In 2007, I went back to the airport after a great job offer. I started working for the best Business Aviation Airline as a Ground Operations Duty Supervisor. Our job was to Prepare flights for aircraft and helicopters, including Ground Handling Services, Flight Planning, Weight and Balance, VIP Services, etc. to almost every continent. Unfortunately, this great company ceased operations in 2013.
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The Landing
These are some things and thoughts I wanted to share with you, hoping that you feel more confident now about your choice to plan and book your holidays using My Dream Vacations.
After so many years of experience, I have the “right” and the knowledge to choose the best for you.
If you have any questions or any special inquiries for services that I do not include, yet, please feel free to send me an email and I’ll find the right solution for you or discuss the best option for you according to your needs and expectations.
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My Mission
My goal is to help Greek Tourism as much as I can, and as an insider, I know what is good for you and I will do my best to offer you the best and most legit services available in the tourist industry. Customer’s satisfaction is the essence, and I would like you, after finishing Your Dream Vacations in this beautiful country, to leave with a smile on your face and with only good memories to share!
That’s all I want from you!
With My Kindest Regards
It’s great to read something that’s both enjoyable and provides real solutions.
Thank you Ramiro and thanks for dropping by!
Stay tuned and you will find many useful things to read about vacations, avoid common mistakes and how to plan them correctly!
Thanks for visiting and for leaving a comment
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