If you cannot say that about your travel specialist, find a new one! I warn my prospective clients before I begin that I will ask lots and lots of questions. If I don't ask questions, I cannot give you the answers.
How would you feel if you went to your insurance agent for homeowners or auto insurance and you were given a "one size fits all" policy? Would you have the right coverage? Probably not. When you visit the doctor, he/she will ask you questions to determine your health and what if any intervention is needed.
To be honest, I do like the term travel agent, at least for myself and most professionals which whom I am acquainted. To me the term "travel agent" is one who sits at a desk processing your request, without proper knowledge of your true travel needs...basically an order taker.
For example, you go online or read about a "travel special" to a destination. Price looks great, appears to fit your budget and sounds like what you want. You place the call or go to the local travel office. You walk in and meet the next available "travel agent" and proceed to tell them about the add you saw. The "travel agent" says great, give me your credit card and I will book it for you. Now you are ready for your vacation. You probably did not know for a few dollars more you could have had a non stop flight instead of the 2 flights with a 5 hour layover. Also, you were not informed this is a vacation haven for students on spring break...so no rest for you and your spouse. Oh, and did you know this is really beach block, not on the beach or a 3 story walk- up miles from all of the major venues and attractions? Of course you didn't know, no one told you or asked you about your preferences.
A professional travel consultant will take the time to ask questions. An example of this is the following true scenario:
How would you feel if you went to your insurance agent for homeowners or auto insurance and you were given a "one size fits all" policy? Would you have the right coverage? Probably not. When you visit the doctor, he/she will ask you questions to determine your health and what if any intervention is needed.
To be honest, I do like the term travel agent, at least for myself and most professionals which whom I am acquainted. To me the term "travel agent" is one who sits at a desk processing your request, without proper knowledge of your true travel needs...basically an order taker.
For example, you go online or read about a "travel special" to a destination. Price looks great, appears to fit your budget and sounds like what you want. You place the call or go to the local travel office. You walk in and meet the next available "travel agent" and proceed to tell them about the add you saw. The "travel agent" says great, give me your credit card and I will book it for you. Now you are ready for your vacation. You probably did not know for a few dollars more you could have had a non stop flight instead of the 2 flights with a 5 hour layover. Also, you were not informed this is a vacation haven for students on spring break...so no rest for you and your spouse. Oh, and did you know this is really beach block, not on the beach or a 3 story walk- up miles from all of the major venues and attractions? Of course you didn't know, no one told you or asked you about your preferences.
A professional travel consultant will take the time to ask questions. An example of this is the following true scenario:
A young wife contacts me about a vacation to Hawaii for 6 nights from the east coast. She tells me she found the perfect vacation online for $3700.00 including airfare. I asked her if she new anything about the hotel and of course the answer was no. I asked her if airport transfers were included with the package and of course the answer was no. Once we repriced the package with the transfers and taxes, the vacation added up to about $4000.00. I asked her why she chose this vacation and she told me it fit their budget and she didn't have a passport, but she really wanted to go to the Caribbean. When I asked further questions, she did not understand the actual cost of this vacation by the time they would add in food and excursions, not to mention
the travel time and time zone difference. Oh, did I mention they were traveling with an infant
as well? I spoke with her further and ascertained her true budget. The reason she chose
Hawaii was she was told she did not need a passport. Someone told her passports took a long time to process. She in fact has almost 6 months before the family travels. More than enough time to get a passport. After about a half hour and more questions, she booked an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean, including the air, all inclusive beach accommodations, transfers, taxes and insurance for $4037.00. When I added a crib to the reservation she was shocked. She told me she didn't know we could do that and thought she would need to travel with a travel crib. Needless to say, the family now has a vacation which is more befitting of their needs.
Certainly, you can look online to get suggestions. Though you think you have found all the great hotels or resorts for a destination, ask a travel specialist, and don't be afraid to change your mind once you have listened to recommendations. A recent caller asked me about a particular hotel in Rome. Yes the price looks great...but at what cost? No air conditioning, very small closet-like rooms, and bathrooms barely fitting one person. Again, away from major attractions. For a few dollars more, a hotel which is well managed, has air conditioning, breakfast daily and better comfort for the American traveler.
Next time you are ready to plan your travel, get ready to answer questions! If the person on the other side of the desk or phone only asks one question..what's you credit card number, run, don't walk! If that person does not show an interest in your travel, find someone who does. Look for a travel professional. Don't be shy, ask questions too. You can find out how long the person is in the travel business, ask about their associations. The most important association is ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) and IATA (International Air Transportation Association).
Ask for testimonials of clients using the services. If you cannot get those questions answered, keep looking.
If it takes you an extra day to find the right travel consultant it is worthwhile in the long run. Once you find the right travel consultant, stay with them. Once that travel professional is familiar with your travel needs, they will be able to help you in the future with fewer questions, but the same care!
Happy Travels!
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