Celebrating 60 Years
Serving Lake Oswego for Three Generations and Counting…
Proudly published in Lake Oswego Lifestyle Magazine as part of our ongoing community travel column.
In 1965, the travel industry looked very different than it does today. Airline tickets were printed on carbon paper, the word “Internet” did not even exist, and the only way to plan an overseas vacation was to sit down across from a trusted travel advisor. It was that same year that Julie Shipley would open a small agency in downtown Lake Oswego called Julie’s Travel Desk, planting the seeds of a business that would not only endure for six decades but also adapt, innovate, and thrive throughout some of the most tumultuous times the travel industry has ever endured.
When the agency was launched, travel advisors were a cornerstone of the industry. People relied on them not just for the basics, but for virtually every aspect of their trip. In 1972, Julie’s daughter, Sandi Hanna, joined the team. She worked her way up the ladder and, in the early 1980s, took ownership of the business. It was during her period of leadership in particular that travel entered an era of unprecedented change. The introduction of the Global Distribution System revolutionized how agencies booked tickets. The Internet ushered in online services like Expedia, providing consumers the autonomy to research and book flights themselves. The events of September 11 reshaped the industry forever. Through each challenge, Sandi navigated with steadiness and foresight, ensuring that the agency would remain a trusted resource for its valued clientele.
The original Julie’s Travel Desk team in the early years, laying the foundation for six decades of trusted travel planning.
By 2011, brick-and-mortar travel agencies were becoming a rarity, but that was when Jamie Anderson came on board. He was so enamored with the business and so impressed by the level of expertise, professionalism, and dedication shown by the team that when Sandi prepared to sell in 2019, Jamie, Sandi’s now son-in-law, took the reins. As we all know, however, it was just one year later that global travel came to a halt with the arrival of COVID-19. For Jamie and his team, it was an unprecedented crisis, but one they survived because of their long-standing reputation for building personal connections. Travel planning, after all, is about more than simple logistics. It is about genuinely knowing your clientele — their likes, dislikes, dreams, and aspirations — and providing them with the confidence, support, and peace of mind no online service can provide.
The Travel & Cruise Desk team today, blending experience, innovation, and three generations of leadership.
Today, rebranded as The Travel & Cruise Desk, this is more than just a travel agency. It blends cutting-edge technology with personalized service. Clients benefit from the agency’s Pocket Travel App, an incredible tool that organizes itineraries, tracks past and present trips, and keeps all critical information close at hand. A 24-hour emergency hotline provides reassurance that help is always just a phone call away. And through their consortia, they’ve renegotiated partnerships to ensure clients always receive inclusions, perks, and upgrades when available. Luggage insurance is included in their fee with every booking, and the agency supports responsible tourism through Positive Impact Travel, an approach that seeks to create meaningful experiences for travelers while respecting and benefitting local communities.
Giving back is also central to the agency’s philosophy. 10% of its BEYOND Planning & Service fees go directly to Travel Elevates, the charitable arm of the Signature Travel Network, supporting global initiatives to improve lives in destinations around the world.
As the travel industry faces new disruptions, from artificial intelligence to shifting consumer expectations, Jamie remains focused on what has always made The Travel & Cruise Desk special: its relationships. Technology may continue to change, but the value of trust, human connection, and personalized service will not. As a result, The Travel & Cruise Desk was awarded Business of the Year by the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce.
This upcoming anniversary celebration will honor their past while looking toward the future. The event will be held on November 5th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ironlight building in Lake Oswego. Guests will enjoy appetizers and drinks, meet and interact with more than two dozen industry partners, and take part in an evening dedicated to thanking clients, honoring Sandi, still an active contributor, and outlining the agency’s plans for navigating the changes ahead.
In a world of constant change, it’s comforting to know that some traditions endure, like sitting down with someone who is not only an expert advisor in travel, but also a friend. Someone who knows your story, your needs, and your preferences, and uses that knowledge to curate a journey you’ll never forget. The Travel & Cruise Desk: the Pacific Northwest’s most trusted family-owned travel agency for 60 years and counting.
The Travel & Cruise Desk is located at 601 1st Street, Ste B, in Lake Oswego. You can also call at 503-636-5684 or visit their website at travelcruisedesk.com.
