Bella Vista Business Association Directory

Lisa Merutka started her travel company, Lisa's 3 Wishes Travel, in April 2016, but she was planning travel long before she started the business. What inspired Lisa was her experience moving around a lot over the years. Her husband was in the military for 27 years and in that time, they moved 16 times. "We were able to see a lot of the world and absolutely loved traveling and getting to know all the area where we lived. I wanted to be able to bring that passion of travel into a business to share with others," she says. e mission of Lisa's 3 Wishes Travel is to create the very best vacation for her clients. Lisa says this entails getting to know them and really listening. She tries to get to know what their interests are in order to cra their dream vacation. Lisa has a small staff of four agents, and will soon be adding two more. "I have one agent that is a Disney expert. So if you called me I would refer her to you. Every agent specializes in something different. at way you know you are getting the best service and know that you will be taken care of," she says of her experienced staff. On any given day, it's pretty routine. "Aer three cups of coffee I head to my office, which is in my home," Lisa says. "I answer emails, take classes on new products, different locations or what is new in the industry. It is very important to stay up to date especially on all the new rules and regulations for travel. Just last week I got a certification in Safe Travel. is was an extensive class on the new rules as well as what different companies are doing to help clients stay safe while on vacation. [One topic was] what does insurance cover? is is a big deal right now. What 'all inclusive' will provide [regarding] COVID testing; if you test positive what will they do for you? ese are all questions my clients need to know. I would only book with an agent that has this credential, so you know they are up to date on what is going on in the travel industry." Of course, the business has seen its own set of challenges. Lisa's main focus for years has been European River Cruising and tours, which has all changed this year, so she had to redirect that focus to travel within the U.S. "is has been a big learning curve but I have come to love this area of travel. ere are so many incredible places to see and go right here in the United States," she says. Lisa measures success by her clients' vacation experiences, as she always strives to help her clients have the best vacation possible. She relies on what they say when they return from their vacation. "Referrals and rebooks are what let me know I am doing something right," she says. And, the same goes for the reward the business brings. She says, "If someone refers me then I know they trust me and had a great vacation and know that I will take care of their family and friends." Of course the pandemic has affected Lisa's business, as hospitality and travel were probably hit the hardest. "COVID has hit the travel industry so hard. So many of my travel agent friends have had to close shop and that is sad. e most difficult work- wise has been the cancellations from the cruise lines. Whether a client rebooks using future cruise credits, does a li and shi or wants a refund, it is a lot for the client to navigate on their own. I was glad to be here for them," she points out. e BVBA has been greatly beneficial for Lisa's 3 Wishes Travel. "Getting the word out that I am here has been the biggest help. Getting to know other BV business owners and the community has been rewarding in and of itself," Lisa says. She absolutely recommends the BVBA to other businesses in the area, saying there are many new initiatives this year, and the goal of the BVBA is to get people to learn about what is available in their own back yard and to support these small businesses. "Now more than ever, we need to think local and shop local," she says. When asked the best thing about Bella Vista, like many other business owners, Lisa definitively says, "e people! I can say aer living in many different places that I love the people in NWA. e support and friendships I have gained have been amazing." Lisa's 3 Wishes Travel Lisa Merutka, owner 434-466-7707 E:lmerutka@ dreamvacations.com Lisa's 3 Wishes Travel: making vacation dreams come true By Rhonda Baber-Crone I can say after living in many different places that I love the people in NWA. The support and friendships I have gained have been amazing. 24 | 2021 Bella Vista Business Association Directory

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