5 Minutes with a Travel Advisor: Steve Kuriga
Spend a few minutes getting to know Steve Kuriga, CTA, MCC
Top Producer & Independent Affiliate of Cadence
Tell us your travel origin story! What led you to a life in travel?
Growing up, my family was fortunate to have traveled. During our family road trips, I remember looking out the car window to see how many different state license plates I could find. At attractions and parks, I would do the same, and imagine what it was like to come from different states. Travel was in my veins at an early age.
I proceeded with an undergraduate degree as a Physician Assistant and a masters degree in Health Care Administration. While working in health care, I began to work on travel to China for health care professionals - both as tourists and to visit medical facilities in China. Through this process of planning trips for others, I developed knowledge and experience, and after 20 years in health care, I made the decision to pursue a full time career in travel!
How long have you been in travel and with Cadence?
I starting planning trips in 1983 during my time working in health care. Once I transitioned into the travel industry, I began working in a small family-owned travel agency and progressed to a larger corporate agency before coming to Cadence in 2007 - the best move I ever made while pursuing my passion of travel.
What’s your favorite aspect of being a travel advisor?
My favorite aspect of being a travel advisor is working with clients to turn their travel dreams into reality. There is something so special when clients come to me saying they have saved up for their once-in-a-lifetime trip, only to return home to say they can’t wait to return to that destination again because of how incredible their experience was. In addition, planning trips for others allows me to relive my travel experiences to destinations across the globe! I am fortunate to have traveled to over 112 countries and use this knowledge and experience when working with clients in planning their trips.
Want to learn more about what it means to be an Independent Travel Advisor through Cadence? Click here to discover the difference of the Cadence community.