Arlington Heights travel agent had his best year last year - and predicts business will bounce back

Bob French works in his Arlington Heights office alone except for his dog, Safari, who has been a fixture at his feet for the past 12 years.

Normally there are four other employees in the office with him but now they are all working from home. Outside the office stands a sign that points to Tangier, Paris and Denali, a gift from a former employee that hints at his business' motto: "We sell the World."

Wayne Griffin Travel & Cruise Services Inc. had its best year last year, French said. "We are just helping people who are confirmed for trips this year to rearrange their schedules," he said.

"We have high confidence that the industry will be fine and we will be fine."

French gave the job five years after college, but he's ended up spending 28 years traveling to all 50 states and 55 countries.

In April alone, French and his team rescheduled more than 40 families' trips.

"Once they get a handle on how to cure this, people will be wanting to get out pretty quick and travel," he said.

• Do you know of a suburban small business with a compelling story to tell about working through the pandemic? Send photo director Jeff Knox a detailed email with LIFE'S WORK in the subject line at jknox@dailyherald.com and we'll consider it.