Tag: Travel Agent

  • How to plan your multi-city land vacation

    This article focuses on how to plan your multi-city land vacation with me.  Winter/early Spring is when I have the highest requests to begin planning multi-city custom trips – a.k.a. built from scratch. These include places like the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and Costa Rica.

     

    Plan your multi-city land vacation Photo by Dariusz Sankowski on Unsplash
    Plan your multi-city land vacation Photo by Dariusz Sankowski on Unsplash

     

    You’ll learn more about what goes into the making of these custom trips.  I’ll share one little secret – it takes time! Hours and hours go into your custom trips as I try to build out the trips multiple ways to get you the best options for your specific trip objectives.  You may not even see some of the earlier attempts as I plan out your itinerary.

    Question: Have you ever been on a multi-city land vacation?  This could be on an escorted or organized tour. Or, you may have traveled without an organized group such as visiting Rome/Florence/Venice independently.

    Plan your multi-city land vacation Photo by Asli Yilmaz on Unsplash
    Plan your multi-city land vacation Photo by Asli Yilmaz on Unsplash

    Have you ever planned a multi-city trip with me?  If not, let’s get planning your dream trip today. Just click here.

    While I mentioned Rome/Florence/Venice above as an example, how about Reykjavik, Iceland, Edinburgh Scotland, and a side tour to the Isle of Skye?  (Planned for a client earlier in the year.)

     

     

    Have you spent hours online doing research?

    Are you looking for someone to help you organize all of the details of your dream trip?  We’re talking:

    • airfare with different cabins/classes of service
    • transfers
    • hotels with complicated room configurations
    • tours/excursions
    • dining
    • trains
    • travel insurance
    • golf
    • theater/event tickets

    And, how about if I wrap up all of the details into an app you can download onto your smart phone?  Click here to start planning your multi-city dream trip today.

    Please check out: https://daydreamexcursions.com/right-and-wrong-vacation-planning/

     

    Learn more about my travel planning packages.  Click here to dig even deeper into  multi city land vacation travel.  Finally, read this post on how to pack for great tips.

  • Happiness and Travel Agents

    There is a recent study conducted in January 2014 by MMGY Global looking into happiness and the usage of travel agents. I’d like to share some of the insights with you.

     Travel Agent Happiness Study Background

    • Respondents have annual income greater than $50,000
    • 8,338 respondents traveled for leisure in past 12 months
    • About 14% used a Travel Agent (“TA” – I like TA as it can stand for “Travel Adviser.”)  Do you know my rant about Travel Agent vs. Travel Adviser?  If not, contact me to hear the difference and what it means to YOU!

     RESULTS for Travel Agent Users

    • On 4 out of 5 metrics used for satisfaction; TA users appear happier with the life than those who did not use TAs.
    • Travelers who also travel more thought trips organized by TA s were more satisfied and TAs provided knowledge and convenience.
    • TAs influence peoples’ airline, hotel/resort and tour choices
    • People use TAs to book cruises as few cruises are actually booked via Online Travel Agencies.

    RESULTS for NON Travel Agent Users

    • Majority just did not think of using a TA
    • Those who did think of using a TA wanted to keep their own control and thought they could do a better job
    • More convenient to plan on their own
    • Thought they could get better deals
    • Thought best deals are “online”  (My comment: How do they think TAs research and book?)
    • 41% open to using TAs in the future and 59% NOT open to using a TA in the future.
    • Of those planning to use a TA in the future: 25% are planning to use a TA in the next 12 months.

    BOTTOM LINE

    • “Family/Friends” is ALWAYS the top travel influencer regardless of TA usage.
    • For business travel, 8% had a better experience when they used a TA.  For business travel, top reason for not using a TA was that they did not think of it.
    • For people who do not use a TA for business travel, they appear to believe they have more control by self-booking.
    • Fewer Millenials used TAs but more Boomers used TAs
    • Online Travel Agencies, “Expe-Orbi-Ocity” are becoming “showrooms” to some degree.  This is akin to shoppers going to big box electronics stores where people look, research, and compare but do NOT actually purchase.

    What do you think?  Please share your comments below.

     

     

     

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  • Interview with Daydream Excursions

    Why should I plan my trip with Daydream Excursions?

    While the industry standard may consist of immediately throwing quotes around, we work with you to survey and identify your unique vacation needs and  past “travel personality.”  Why? Your preferences are important to assist in planning a memorable vacation experience.  You will feel secure knowing we understand the purpose of your trip and the memories you want to bring home to replay again and again.

    Why do you call yourself a Travel Advisor or Travel Concierge?

    The Concierge concept applies understanding what you’d like to see and experience, and in what style.   We match these factors with your budget, schedule, and our knowledge and connections.  Concierge service helps you plan and experience the right vacation with attention to detail by offering to arrange comprehensive trip elements like air, transfers, sightseeing, insurance, restaurant recommendations, etc.  (As opposed to a  “Travel Agent” which implies “order taker” and certainly not a passionate provider of advice, care, and support!)

    How do you support your clients?

    • We ARE with you before, during and after your trip if need be.  We work with you as your advocate to support your unique needs for your trip.
    • We will help you process insurance claims and assist you with vendor issues as we are YOUR advocate.
    • We use our inside knowledge and connections to bring you extra amenities and services when available.
    • We seek a long-term relationship with you and WILL stick with you throughout the travel planning process.

    (“Long-Term” implies that the advice we give is in your best interest and NOT guided by the latest vendor promotions!)

    Why not just use an online booking engine?

    Ready to self-book online?  Daydream Excursions has questions for you:

    • Did you find the right resort, cruise line/ship, or tour company? The right accommodations?  Are you sure?
    • Whom will you contact for the inevitable questions that will arise?  Who cares about you and your trip?
    • How much will the trip cost, really cost, in TOTAL? Daydream Excursions focuses on your total cost to come home!
    • What will you do in your destination(s)?  Can you get in the “must-see” sites/experiences without long lines?
    • Will you have to pay for the whole trip upfront or just do a deposit?

    With online booking engines, expect to submit 100% of the cost right then and there.  If you have any issues with changes and/or cancellations, what would you do?  We may be able to offer options for a custom installment plan to meet YOUR needs and budget.  In addition, should you need to change or cancel your plans, we are in YOUR corner to advise you on all ramifications.

    Just Book your trip directly on a supplier website?

    In general, expect our prices to be the SAME (Really!) or sometimes even BETTER (SURPRISE!) or we may offer extra amenities in many instances.  And is booking your cruise, resort, etc, the whole thing?  More importantly, a specific cruise or resort supplier’s website will simply NOT offer options from different suppliers that may be better suited for you and/or a better value. You simply cannot evaluate multiple trip options once you are on a specific supplier’s website.

    Which cruise line, resort or tour company is the best for your trip?  WE will find the answer by working together and discovering the best trip for your needs and budget.

    Do you charge for your services?

    Each situation is different and upfront planning fees are sometimes charged.  (You will be happy!)  Further, you will not get surprise fees at time of booking.   We provide comprehensive quotes with taxes and things you may not have thought of like transfers.  I despise hidden charges just like you!

    Do you have industry certifications?

    • ARC Verified Travel Consultant (VTC)…what does this mean to you?  You are dealing with a thoroughly vetted professional travel planner not a hobbyist.
    • CLIA Master Cruise Counselor (MCC) Accreditation and multiple cruise line certifications
    • Licensed to sell travel insurance – How many travel agents or online websites have this…ASK!  I was fingerprinted and had to pass a criminal background check!
    • All-Inclusive Advisor training for El Dorado and Azul Resorts, Real, Palace along with Secrets and Dreams Resorts
    • Escorted Tour training from Globus/Cosmos, Trafalgar, and Insight
    • River cruise training from Avalon Waterways and Uniworld.

    CALL or email today to discuss your next dream trip!

     

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