About Us
Valarie Contrino
President / Owner
Beginning her career as an outside travel consultant for a local Staten Island agency just before 9/11/2001, Valarie worked concurrently as an insurance broker for a large commercial brokerage firm which had been located in the World Trade Center. After relocating to the brokerage firm’s Parsippany office while still working simultaneously as a travel consultant, she made the decision to open her own agency and did so in February 2005.
She worked concurrently for several years after that, and just recently (March 2008) left the insurance industry to commit 100% of her energies to her business. Given the economic climate, it was a very tough call, but she is certain that she made the right move.
Valarie holds the designation, CTA, Certified Travel Associate, a professional certification program in the travel industry. She has traveled extensively to parts East and West, including Hong Kong, Japan and Western Europe, North America, the Caribbean and Mexico. Cruising is also a special interest, having sailed on more than a half dozen ships.
Proud of her designation as a Hawaii Destination Specialist, Valarie has earned specialist titles with Vegas, Disney and Sandals/Beaches, just to name a few.
Acting as a host agency for other outside sales agents, she recruited and is currently providing mentorship to one of her clients who realized being a travel professional was “in her blood”.
Valarie is always up for a challenge and enjoys researching those locations she has not yet had the pleasure of experiencing for herself. She prides herself on continually educating herself through various venues such as seminars, webinars and online education, utilizing that knowledge to assist her clients’ needs. She is committed to service.
Valarie also mentors students preparing for their entry into the work force as a member of the newly founded group, Career Coaches. This group was recently featured in the Staten Island Advance. Click here to read the article.
Tracy Abbate
Travel Consultant
After finishing school in 1994 and until 1999, Tracy worked as a Court Reporter for a freelance firm in downtown Brooklyn. When she gave birth to her daughter, Tracy decided to take time off from the “business world” and devote her time to raising her two children.
Once her son and daughter began school, Tracy wanted to stay current by re-entering the workforce and did so as a Teacher’s Assistant at a local community pre-school. Working as a Teacher’s Assistant afforded her the opportunity to be available to her children after school hours.
Tracy’s enthusiasm for working with people of all ages, along with her strong passion to travel, she is most anxious to provide outstanding service to her clients. As a result, Tracy has begun her career as a travel consultant by gaining in-depth knowledge about various destinations and looks to constantly further her education in this regard.
As Tracy believes in giving back to her community, as a result, she currently volunteers as a teacher of religious education for Our Lady Help of Christians. In addition, she finds the time to co-chair fundraising events for John Hudson, a resident of Tottenville, who has been afflicted with EB from an early age. Tracy and her co-chair have successfully raised thousands of dollars in an effort to fight this debilitating disease.