SimplyiTickets President and Owner Mimoza Jakimi has a motto that’s served her well: “The experience of a lifetime takes a lifetime of experience.” In the entertainment industry for 17 years, she used her expertise to start a made-in-Canada business that sells theatre tickets (and more) for shows and events all over the world.
1. SimplyiTickets is a worldwide ticket specialist based right here in Toronto. What led you to start the company?
Jakimi: “SimplyiTickets is a Canadian company specializing in theatre, special events and attractions. As an authorized source and fully accredited company providing access to all tickets, SimplyiTickets is appointed by venues to sell their tickets, eliminating the middleman and allowing for competitive and commissionable rates.
“It’s been a mix of things happening at the same time. I have been in the entertainment business for 17 years and when the opportunity came to start my own company and combine all the good experiences of the past with my ‘personal touch’ to serve the travel trade I didn’t hesitate and went ahead and formed SimplyiTickets.”
2. Most agents might think of SimplyiTickets as primarily offering theatre tickets, but in fact you offer so much more. Can you tell us about the breadth of the company’s product?
Jakimi: “At this point we are offering a wide range of services to ‘complete’ the basics (i.e. hotel & flight) that are so common and used these days. Many clients look for their travel agents for specific demands and they know exactly what they want.
“At SimplyiTickets our goal is to provide the travel agents that ‘extra spark’ to deliver to their clients excellence in travel service. Product highlights include: theatre (Broadway, Las Vegas, London, Toronto); opera, sightseeing; attractions; Cirque du Soleil; Grand Canyon; city helicopter tours; cruise dinners; city tours; city passes; special events; Edinburgh Tattoo; Wimbledon; private tours and much more.”
3. What are some of your most popular offerings for 2016?
Jakimi: “We have expanded strongly to Europe offering entertainment and ‘off the beaten path’ services in Italy, UK, Austria, France, Germany and Prague, without losing the focus on our core business including Broadway, London West End, Las Vegas and Toronto theatrical shows.
“While we offer diverse and interesting products, we continually strive to add more attractions and offer the latest events in the entertainment industry.”
4. Why should a travel agent book through Simply iTickets; what’s the advantage?
Jakimi: “We believe in offering travel agents the best available and quality services, always keeping their satisfaction as a goal!
“Here are a few of the advantages that agents benefit from by booking their client’s itinerary with SimplyiTickets:
. Competitive prices that are guaranteed at the time of booking, avoiding any adverse changes in the exchange rate
. Guaranteed seats at the performance or show of choice
. The opportunity to take advantage of some great tickets, some not available at the gates
. The ability to hold tickets seven days without payment
. Actual tickets or vouchers are e-mailed to you prior to your clients’ departure
. Flexible cancellation policy
. Instant confirmation for the world’s greatest entertainment
. You are the expert! When you complete a client’s itinerary with the must-see and must-do attractions in any destination, you become an indispensable part of planning all of their future vacations
. Commission on all destination services.”
5. What’s next for SimplyiTickets?
Jakimi: “We shall keep consolidating and expanding our international presence and render more specialized services worldwide. We will soon release a full service upgraded website with complete service/booking/payment/voucher to make the sales process more fluid easy for the travel agent.”
