Well, it’s finally come! You are planning your vacation, one of your most important trips! Why not maximize your budget and time and choose a reputable consultant to help with the task. After all, your Travel Consultant does this as their full time job.
When selecting your Travel Consultant, be sure they have qualified references to handle your request. Working with a seasoned Destination Specialist, Certified Travel Consultant and/or Master Cruise Counselor are a benefit for you. These professionals know their destinations, work with reliable vendors and have the expertise and knowledge to handle land arrangements, cruise, tour and special needs for your stay.
If you are planning a special occasion, such as a honeymoon, anniversary or family reunion; it is important all details are in place, for a memorable stay. Having a professional look after those details lightens your load to: just having fun. Did I make the correct choice in our hotel/resort? Is it the best value? Is it during hurricane season? Or better yet, uh oh, I think I forgot to check the expiry date on our passports or secure a visa for our trip.
A Travel Consultant will typically set up a telephone appointment to speak with you about the details of your request. Taking note of your travel preferences, type of vacation, and experience that you are expecting. Discussing budget and travel dates are important, as availability and pricing is what determines the best value for your vacation dollars.
Once you have your destination, type of travel, dates, and budget set, that is when you will see the creativity and expertise of your Consultant shine! Customizing the trip to your liking and making your dream trip come true is their primary concern.
Typically, Travel Consultants charge a Research/Planning Fee when researching any trip. This usually goes towards the cost of your trip, or is an added fee for their research and design of your itinerary; depending on the length of your travels, and destinations.
Using a Travel Consultant to help with your vacation planning is not only a smart, travel savvy choice, but it will enhance your travel experience. You cannot VIP yourself at the hotel nor request an upgrade, based on the volume of business you have brought to the cruise line or resort. Your Travel Consultant can do this and more! Having the advantage of working with preferred vendors and hotels increases their purchasing power for you and it does not cost more to have this professional service. Instead, it usually saves you money!
We have heard the terrible stories of people booking on-line; only to save a few dollars and arrive at their destination and find it is not exactly the “great resort” they thought they were booking. Who is going to help you now? You thought you did an excellent job researching those “cheap international flights” only to find you did not allow enough time for your connecting flight…and you missed it! How much are you willing to pay for a bad vacation? Working with your Travel Consultant, you can minimize the bumps in the road, for a smooth vacation ahead.
So relax, you have a professional handling your request from the beginning to end of your vacation. It’s comforting to know you have an advocate for your travel needs when taking your trip. You have heard of the volcanic ash episode that shut down European airports and stranded many passengers, correct? The ones with the immediate lifeline were ones that booked with their advisors. How about assistance during airline/airport strikes? Travel Consultants help you every step of the way, before, during and after your stay. No matter where you travels take you, go with a trusted source. Your first call should be to your Travel Consultant.