Someone asked me the other day what I do for a living. Looking surprised, she asked, “Do travel agents even exist anymore?” Yes, they do.
The wealth of information on the internet offers anyone the opportunity to act on their own behalf for trip planning and booking, so why should you use one? Answer: You’ll have an enhanced travel experience. Here are several examples of how clients enjoyed a better travel experience by using me as their advisor.
You don’t need a huge budget to enjoy benefits and special attention. In the case of a wedding anniversary celebration at the Hotel Del Coronado, clients were greeted with champagne and treats in their room, an upgrade to oceanfront accommodations, $100 resort credit, and complimentary breakfast. See the title picture. Amenities can also include healthier options and I craft them specifically for the client. So if crunchy is your thing – and I don’t mean chips – how about some fresh vegetables and artisan cheese for a tasty snack?
A new destination with a language you don’t speak can be daunting for some people. Clients enjoyed the authentic AlmaLusa Hotel on a beautiful square, Praca do Municipo, in the best part of Lisbon, with major sights in easy walking distance. The hotel general manager welcomed them, they received locally made artisan castelbel soap, a stuffed toy bear and chocolate cake as welcome gifts, and the staff went out of their way to ensure they had everything they needed during their stay.
A warm reception from the greeter and driver at the airport, the hotel general manager, the Virtuoso host on a cruise ship, and your personal contact on the ground at your destination is a comforting way to start a vacation. My personal relationships with the key contacts at premier hotels such as the Four Seasons allow me to offer special upgrades, amenities and VIP privileges to clients.
Secret sales, complimentary hotel nights, group incentives and deposits versus payment in full at time of booking are always welcomed by travelers. Clients enjoyed tremendous savings by booking their Italy trip with one of my trusted consolidators, whereby their total cost of air travel and hotels was barely more than if they booked the air fare alone. And, they were able to place deposits, with final payment in the future, rather than make full payment upon booking.
Can you have a wonderful travel experience if you do your own research and book your own trip? Sure. However, you may find that your inexpensive hotel is on the outskirts of town, the small group tour you booked is really just entry tickets and an audio guide, or that the tour operator’s business is no longer in business.
Are travel advisors still relevant to travel today? Yes! We are more relevant than ever before. Your travel experience will be far better and you won’t have to spend your precious time researching the best way to spend your vacation.
If you love the idea of a wonderful vacation that you don’t have to plan all by yourself and you can also enjoy VIP treatment and fantastic amenities, let’s set up a time to chat! There are so many opportunities — and one of them has your name on it. You can contact me today by emailing me at [email protected] or calling 602-692-9397.
I can’t wait to talk to you!
