BIO to come.

Though born and raised in Switzerland, Christine Eichin has been a native African since before she could spell "Swahili." At the age of six, Christine announced that she was leaving home to try her luck with a family of Africa's native mountain gorillas, and armed with a suitcase filled with everything she'd need along the way (band-aids, a change of clothes, and Swiss chocolate), Christine set out on her

Sadly, her local bus driver respectfully declined Christine's offer of a footnoted section in her future autobiography, and the young adventuress was forced to cast her dreams to the wayside and return, dejected, to her home three blocks away.

As the years progressed, Christine developed a passion for travel, and after completing her schooling in Switzerland, she landed a sought-after business apprenticeship and received training as a customs officer. In 1983, after marrying and starting a family, Christine immigrated to the U.S.

After achieving permanent U.S. residency in 1987, Ms. Eichin began her studies at the Go Western travel school and in 1994 started her own travel business. Two years later, after making the journey thousands of times in her dreams, Christine Eichin set out to visit the land she had loved her entire life. Finally, she was Home.

Since that first, magical visit, Miss "Africaholic," as she is known, has returned to Africa twenty-two times and counting. Past destinations include Kenya, Tanzania, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Victoria Falls, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Uganda and Rwanda, gorilla tracking, as well as the Indian Ocean islands of Seychelles, Madagascar and Zanzibar. With each visit, her passion for the Dark Continent grows ever-deeper, her love for the African people and wildlife compounding with each new experience.

Christine has since served on the Board of the Northern California Chapter of APTA (Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa), and on their National Executive Board. She is now looking forward to fulfill her duties on the San Francisco Travel Professionals Board.

Above and Beyond Africa/www.YourSafariExpert.com, Christine's pride and joy, continues to draw adventurers from around the globe.

Ty, a retired travel agent from Portal World Travel, has been a member of San Francisco Travel Professionals since 1956 (then called the Travellarians,

Ty was also a member and early secretary for the IFWTC (International Federation of Women’s Travel Clubs, which eventually became the IFWTO, the International Federation of Women's Travel Organizations).

In addition to her duties for the SFTP Board, Ty volunteers for Repeat Performance (a resale shop which supports the San Francisco Symphony) and is continuing her education with courses at the Fromm Institute, most recently on Exodus and the novels of Anthony Trollop.

My passions have always been traveling, foreign languages and knowing other cultures.

I am a native of Argentina, born in Buenos Aires where I spent my School and College years. After graduating from Universidad del Salvador in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a B.A in Tourism and a Degree in French Language from Alliance Francaise School, I decided it was time for me to spend some time abroad and experience Europe. In 1983 I lived in Holland and France for about a year and was able to become more fluent in French which I still practice and I like very much. Then I returned to Argentina and started my career as a Travel Agent and I worked for Canadian Airlines, and other Tour companies. I also escorted tours to USA and then decided to come to the US for a while and ended up staying, so far for 22 years. I still love Argentina and know my country very well not just Buenos Aires but also may other different regions. I visit my country every year. Among some of the companies that I worked here in the US are Maritz Travel Company, incentive travel, in Mill Valley, Triple A Travel, Leisure, in San Rafael and some other leisure and event management travel companies in Marin County as well. 

One of my goals and desires in my career is to be able to share my knowledge of Argentina and the culture of my beautiful country with many people. I am very glad to have the opportunity to be a member of the board of the San Francisco Travel Professionals. 

I fell into the travel business in March of 1981 and have been hooked ever since!

I started off doing bookkeeping for an agency and learned how to hand write tickets during my first month. I have a BA in Art but went to Chabot Jr. College to take the basic travel courses. I tell my clients that I get to go around the world every day!

I lived in Germany and England 1971 to 1975 and still speak a little German. My specialty is Japan and other parts of Asia as well as Hawaii (I go at least 2 times a year to one of the islands) and I try to get back to Europe somewhere every couple of years.

I have been playing Japanese Taiko drums for the past 11 years and dancing Hula for the past 2 years. Six years ago I took courses at McKinnon Institute in Oakland and I am a certified massage therapist. I have 2 sons. Cole is 18 and Kai is 17 and they have been on many trips with me including Europe and Asia.

Always go forward. If it feels right, go for it now. This is my philosophy of life!

I was born in Germany, grew up in New York and came to San Francisco after college graduation. The master plan was to work as a nurse for a year while exploring California. I’m still here, almost 50 years later. I loved my 32 too-short years of marriage, and am sad to be a widow, but derive great happiness from my children and five grandchildren. My greatest recreational opportunities are skiing, biking and hiking.

In the late 1970’s I was no longer needed as a fulltime mom, but feeling too old to re-enter the nursing field, I opted for a career change and entered the SF State Tourism Program becoming a travel agent.

Since 1982 I have been with Paradise Travel Service, a small, storefront, mostly leisure travel oriented agency in the inner Sunset district of San Francisco. With all the changes, the travel industry to me is still the very best of businesses. How wonderful it is to have camaraderie and networking with colleagues at SFTP, SKAL, ASTA and PATA, and of course nothing surpasses the vast world-wide travel opportunities I take advantage of non-stop! 

BIO to come.

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