It’s encouraging to have your career supported by outside sources. On May 14, 2020 A Forbes article quotes Consumer Expert Chip Bell, “travel sites are filled with data and information; travel agents are filled with wisdom and ingenuity.” The article continues with 10 things a travel advisor can do for you:
- Prepare you for the travel experience
- Understand where you’re going
- Screen every travel company
- Hold your hand
- Help you navigate the rules of travel
- Be available to you 24/7
- Leverage insider contacts to help you have a smoother trip
- Go the extra mile to get you home
- Solve your problems
- Help you secure a no-hassle refund if necessary
While I’m not sure my family would say I’m full of wisdom. . . I do know travel. These have always been among the benefits of using a travel advisor, but it has become much more widely realized due to the pandemic. In the initial stages of travel stops, we had clients in various parts of the world, and helped them with arrangements as needed.
Since the initial travel stop, we have been helping clients re-schedule trips as the suppliers and the destinations have closed. It’s a lot of hours committed to helping and we’ve even taken calls from non-clients with needs, that in some cases we could assist. Unfortunately, in some cases, since the trip was not originally booked through us, we were not allowed to touch the arrangements and could only offer advice.
We are continuing to help clients move trips; in some cases, we are on the second move after the first cancellation. Unfortunately, travelers who moved their spring break trips in March/April to summer vacation are now faced with moving those again.
Another issue some travelers are facing is the level of trust in the supplier; will the supplier still be in operation by the time they plan to travel? We receive industry alerts daily and belong to several industry organizations that maintain our awareness of shifts in the marketplace, so we can properly advise clients in their planning.
Internet searches can provide overwhelming information; sorting through those to determine what fits your trip desires is key to assuring your time, money and memories are spent wisely. With over 20 years in the travel business and even more in my personal international travel, I enjoy providing guidance and recommendations on how to best experience a destination. Whether for a celebration, quick getaway or once-in-a-lifetime adventure, we’re here to help you narrow the options to fulfill your travel dreams. Contact me now at laura@globaldreamvacations.com.
