Avenues of the World celebrates 30 years of helping people explore the planet.
Forty-six years later, Yves and Monika Leuenberger, married since 1997, are still sharing adventures together, and bringing friends and clients along for the ride.
The vehicle for all this fun is their Avenues of the World Travel agency on East Cedar Ave. in Flagstaff, which will be celebrating 30 years of business in November.
They’ve already had their anniversary business party, as they will be in Africa in November. “We are celebrating now because the weather is nice, and we were all around,” said Yves.
The country of Switzerland remains at the heart of their lives and business. Monika recently has been recognized by Condé Nast Traveler magazine as a 2023 travel specialist for Switzerland.
“It’s a very special recognition that goes to only a few advisors per year,” he noted.
Monika came first to the U.S and settled with her first husband in Flagstaff and started working at a travel agency in town. On November 3, 1993, she went into business partnership with two clients, Joe and Connie Levesque.
After her first marriage ended, Yves would visit her in Flagstaff. “Our entire families are so close,” he said. “We visit each other when traveling. When you’re in the Western part of the U.S., you visit Monika.”
The couple kept in touch long distance and grew closer. “The fourth visit in 1995 was when the two magic wires were put together,” Yves recalled about their relationship.
He came to live in Flagstaff in 1996. They bought out their partners over the years.
“Now it’s just our business,” Monika said. “We’ve been all over Flagstaff – Route 66, Fourth Street and now at this location on Cedar for six years.”
The couple majored in business at Swiss universities, Monika in Zurich and Yves in his hometown of Basel. Yves handles finances. “I do the financials, looking after the books, negotiating contracts and making sure there’s toilet paper in stock,” he said.
Monika, working with staff, handles sales. “I love putting trips together, alongside with my team,” she said.
Today, business is bouncing back after hard times during the pandemic. “We were pulling our hair out; our business was down 80 percent,” Monika said. “I had to cancel trips, advise clients of best moves, fill out forms. They could get a refund or a credit at a later date.”
Clients were urged to take credit rather than refunds, as they were worth more. “We were all in the same boat,” Yves said. “It hit everyone hard.”
The financial picture was helped in 2020 because January and February were strong, Monika said.
“Also, we were lucky because we were able to maintain our whole team. They stuck with us, and we stuck with them.”
Now, the travel picture is rosy. Bookings are way up. “Our business is better than ever,” Monika said. “There’s still pent-up demand. People are getting older. They are realizing if they don’t go now, they may never be able to go.”
“COVID also showed a sense of urgency to follow your dreams,” Yves added. “People are thinking it could be taken away again.”
Travel is also more expensive now. “Post-COVID, prices have gone up worldwide for everything,” said Monika. “They have to make up for lost time. Pent-up demand is huge industry-wide – cruise lines, resorts, hotels and airlines. Our advice is to book early. It’s almost impossible for last-minute booking.”
Each member of the Avenues of the World team specializes in different travel areas. “We basically cover the entire world,” Monika said. “My specialties are Switzerland, continental Africa, small ship cruises, Peru and New Zealand.”
Travel advisor Daniela Harrison handles sales for expedition cruises, small ship cruises, luxury world cruises, Africa, European river cruises, South Pacific, and Antarctic and Arctic cruises.
Senior travel advisor Eleanor Masayumptewa specializes in Asia, cruises, Costa Rica, beach vacations, Ireland and Europe.
Travel advisor Judy Ruppert handles Japan, cruises, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Europe and Tahiti.
Travel advisor Maeghan Goldman covers beach vacations, river cruises and Europe.
The company features top-quality guides. “There are so many options of places to visit,” Monika said. “It t is really helpful to have good guidance. It’s all about the relationships we have.”
“It’s about making sure the destination travel goes smoothly,” Yves said. “We stay in touch with the company we work with.”
Avenue of the World itineraries feature a variety of known and lesser-known destinations. “Of course, you have to see the must-see places, but you also want to see things that are off the beaten path,” Monika said. “For example, the Matterhorn is a must-see, but there’s also Giessbach Falls. It’s one of my personal favorites. It’s a great place to hike and look down at the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz with its glacial runoff.”
During COVID, the Leuenbergers, who usually take about three trips aboard together each year, took no trips at all.
This year, they are making up for lost time with an eight-day cruise in June with clients and friends to Norway, followed by a Baltic cruise from Stockholm to Copenhagen. “Because of the war in Ukraine, we are visiting smaller ports we wouldn’t have considered prior to the war,” Yves said.
In addition, during the first couple of weeks in November, they will travel with a small group of friends to Kenya and Rwanda.
When traveling, the couple’s dog, Zorro, a 5-year-old Aussie lab mix, stays happily at home.
“We also have two horses,” Monika said. “We have great house sitter.” FBN
By Betsey Bruner, FBN
Courtesy Photo: Avenues of the World owners Yves and Monika Leuenberger, shown here with their dog, Zorro, travel the globe and share their knowledge and tips with clients.
