“Dream Big:” Pat Probert & Mary de Almeida Sell Bob Family Travel to Fellow Advisors Craig & Marsha White

The announcement that one of Canada’s most successful cruise-focused retail groups is changing hands came in typical Pat Probert style — with microphone in hand and 180 clients, suppliers, fellow agents and friends in the room.

“A few hours ago we sold our business,” said Probert, who, along with partner Mary de Almeida and a growing team of advisors has been selling cruises and other travel products as The Bob Family Travel Team since 2000. The retail group joined TravelOnly in 2009 and has been one of the host agency’s top sellers ever since.

The new owners are Craig and Marcia White, fellow TravelOnly top performers. 

“We think we’re ready for it,” Marcia White told the crowd. She is stepping down from a full-time executive position outside the travel industry to take on the challenge, having already built a significant book of business along with husband Craig.

“You have always shared your knowledge with other agents,” Craig White told Probert and de Almeida. “Your mentorship and generosity means the world to us.”

Probert is the quintessential ‘pied piper,’ with a big personality and a large circle of friends and acquaintances, many of whom return year after year for upscale group trips. That means millions in bookings for suppliers like Regent Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Uniworld, Rocky Mountaineer and others.

Those brands, along with others including Manulife Insurance, Club Med and Exotik Journeys, hosted a mini trade show at the beginning of the evening’s festivities.

An emotional Probert told the audience that he hadn’t travelled much and knew little about global geography when he joined the travel industry nearly 50 years ago. 

“Now I’ve been to every continent in the world. I’ve been to 100 countries and on 100 cruises. So I say dream big folks. We may not have a lot of time left, so let’s enjoy it.”

When Probert announced the news of the sale, there was an audible gasp in the room, with the response typified by one voice that yelled: “Where are we going to go without you?”

Probert had an easy answer: “We are not retiring and I will be working very closely with Craig and Marcia as their Senior Vice President of Groups. We are working on so many groups to take you all away. Craig and Marcia will be continuing with the Bob Family name as well.”

Mary de Almeida seconded Probert’s words: “We’re not going anywhere. We’re going to stay here until they tell us to leave.”

A graduate of Ryerson’s Hospitality and Tourism program, de Almeida has been in the business for over 40 years. She thanked the many long-time customers in the room.

“It’s been an adventure. You’re not our clients. You’re our friends, you’re our family.”

Probert is known for negotiating attractive perks and promotions with suppliers, who are confident he will reach his sales goals, however ambitious they might seem. That was apparent on this evening as well, with close to $50,000 worth of travel prizes given away in draws.

As Travel Market Report Canada mingled with Bob Family clients, they shared stories of fun and frolic among like-minded travellers. For many, the people that Pat and Mary attracted on their hosted trips were as much an attraction as the destinations.

“You never know who you’re going to meet on a Pat cruise,” said Paul Cormier. “There’s always a party and it’s always a great time.”