BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—With “COVID revenge” travel on the rise, local agency CTA Travel is experiencing a surge in bookings, according to owner Candace Kalb.

Kalb, appearing on the community spotlight segment with Randy Bigley, described the multifaceted role of a travel agent in 2025. “A travel agent does so much from beginning to end,” she said, emphasizing her commitment to assisting clients even after their return.

CTA Travel assists clients with booking cruises, airline tickets, hotels, and rental cars, focusing on finding the best value within a client’s price range. Kalb said she constantly monitors bookings for price drops, rebooking clients at lower rates when possible. “I do it all, from airline tickets all the way to tours around the world,” she said.

Kalb highlighted the personalized service CTA Travel provides. “Any questions that clients have, I tell them, ‘Don’t go to Google. Call or text. Let me help you through your vacation,'” she said. “And any problems that arise when they’re on their trip, they’re not calling a call center trying to get a hold of someone, they’re calling or texting me, and I’m there right away.”

Popular destinations this year include the U.S. Virgin Islands, particularly St. Thomas, as well as Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando, which is opening its new Epic Universe theme park. Florida remains a favorite, with Kalb mentioning her personal fondness for Clearwater Beach and its annual sandcastle festival.

“There is a thing called COVID revenge, and we’re there,” Kalb said, explaining the increased demand for travel. “They are getting revenge on the time that they spent at home, and we are very, very busy. Clients want to travel.”

International destinations such as England, Ireland, Scotland, and Italy also remain popular. Kalb noted the ease of travel within Italy via train, allowing for visits to multiple cities in a short period.

Kalb stressed the advantages of using a travel agent over online booking. “I’m not a call center that you have to be on hold for hours on end,” she said. “I answer my phone, I text message people, I can meet with you in person. That’s the biggest difference. I’m there to help in any way, and we don’t charge service fees on packages. So why not use us?”

For more information, contact CTA Travel at 419-689-0423 or visit their Facebook group, CTA Travel LLC.