There's a moment in every travel agent's career where something shifts — where it stops being just about booking trips and starts being about something bigger. For Craig and I, that moment came when Pat Probert sat down with us and told us he was ready to retire.
Pat built something really beautiful over the years. His clients didn't just trust him to handle their travel — they trusted him with the moments that matter most. Family reunions. Milestone birthdays. Once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Group trips that became stories people tell for decades. That kind of relationship isn't something you build overnight, and it isn't something you hand off lightly.
Pat knew that. Which is why he came to us, apparently he had his eye on us for a few years. We had traveled with several of our clients on some of his group itineraries a few times, and he liked how we treated and looked after our clients, and knew that was what he wanted for his clients.
When he shared that he was thinking about stepping back, our first thought wasn't about the business opportunity. Honestly, it was about his clients — the people who had been traveling with him for years, and who deserved to know that someone was still going to look after them the way Pat always had. We didn't want anyone to feel left behind. We didn't want someone who'd been planning a dream trip to suddenly feel like they had nowhere to turn. That mattered to us deeply, and I think it's a big part of why Pat trusted us with what he had built.
So, we said yes. And we have never looked back.
Craig is often the first point of contact now, just like Pat always was, and he genuinely loves getting to know new clients — understanding exactly what they're looking for, what makes their family tick, what kind of travel experience is going to feel truly special to them. I handle the details, the itineraries, the destination expertise, and being there when you need support while you're away. And Pat himself is still part of our extended family — you'll still see his name and number, because that's how much we believe in continuity and in making sure his clients always have someone familiar to reach.
We are a bigger and stronger team together, and we truly love what we do.
To Pat's former clients — and to anyone who is new to us — I want you to know that we don't take this lightly. The same high standard of service, the same personal attention, and the same commitment to making your travel experiences truly memorable. That is exactly what we are committed to continuing for you, your family, and your friends.
And to those of you who are discovering BOB Family Travel for the first time, we are so glad you found us. Whether you've been dreaming about a family safari in Africa, a cruise through Europe, or a bucket list trip to the Galapagos, a multigenerational trip that brings everyone together, or something completely different — we want to hear about it. That kind of conversation is honestly one of our favourite parts of this work.
Pat poured his heart into looking after people. We plan to do the same.
We truly look forward to being your travel team for many years to come.
Warmly, Marcia & Craig White BOB Family Travel Team
Marcia White