The Travel Teacher

Brick and Mortar to Home Based

“Where did the travel agency go?  It was here last week, last month, last year?” 

This question has been asked daily from coast to coast as travel agencies by the hundreds have closed their doors.  What happened?

About 10 years ago, the airlines decided to start cutting travel agents commissions on airline tickets that the agents issued.  Just cut a little, then a little more, and a little more until about 6 years ago, the commissions vanished altogether.  Those agencies that had the bulk of their business in airline tickets, and were not watching the situation, got caught without the bulk of their business.  They had not diversified into selling leisure travel such as cruises, tours, and packages.  So, the doors began closing. 

Many owners who had known the “good old days” and were old enough, decided to retire.  Others took their business and moved their offices home.  Enter the “New Face of the Travel Agent” – home based.

In years past, a home-based agent was not taken seriously by either the clients or the suppliers.  They were thought to be “part time” and just “in it for the travel benefits”.

Perhaps that applies to some.  But in the past 5 years a new force has emerged and the home-based agent is very committed and very serious about their business.  In fact, travel for the agent is very difficult because a large number work alone from home and have no back up.  Others work through a “host agency” who acts as the back up should the agent want to go away.

In the past 5 years, any conventions or seminars for travel agents are showing at least ¾ of the attendees are home-based.  These agents are education driven and getting all the knowledge available to give the best information to their clients.  There are many certifications for travel agents.  There is the CTC (Certified Travel Counselor), the highest available for a full service agent.  This course requires many hours of classes, either in groups or by themselves and a very difficult test at the end.  You also have to have been in business for several years before you can even apply for the course.  Not to mention the cost of the courses at several hundreds of dollars.  Anyone with this certification, is a very serious agent.

In the cruising industry there are several certifications available. 

v     Starting with ACC (Accredited Cruise Counselor)

v     MCC ( Master Cruise Counselor)

v     ECC (Executive Cruise Counselor). 

Many hours of classes, some requiring travel to other cities to take the required courses, courses at the University of Miami, many actual cruises on various cruise lines, and scores of ship inspections, as well as a set number of cruise sales, all total up to meet the above requirements.  Again, these courses cover a number of years and a very high cost to the agent qualifing.

In addition to the above, an organization called The Travel Institute has scores of classes that can be taken with testing at the end to receive DS (Destination Specialist) certifications.  Many of these are in conjunction with tourist boards of various countries and after the tests the agent is invited to visit the country for on-site training (at the agent’s expense). 

The majority of travel agents participating in the above training are home-based agent.  No longer content to be order takers sitting behind a desk waiting for the phone to ring or someone to walk in, these are pro-active and extremely knowledgeable about travel around the world.

The big question that is being asked by travel suppliers is “How do we find you?  We know you are serious and we want your business”.  There are 2 home-based organizations to which most belong.  One is NACTA (National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents) and the other is OSSN ( Outside Sales Support Network).  These organizations have conventions and seminars and are pulling all of these home-based agents together to support each other.  Instead of being in competition, as was the case with the brick and mortar agencies, these home-based people are supporting each other, and having a great time doing it. 

Gone are the days when travel agents did not charge fees for their services.  This was the only service profession who “gave away” their services.  Now they are charging fees for their assistance and rightly so.  They are knowledgeable and have spent a great deal of time researching travel for their clients, so they deserve to be compensated.  Oh yes, there are still commissions being paid by suppliers, i.e. cruise lines, tour operators, and wholesalers, but it is not enough to make up the difference from airline tickets.  There is no set amount of these fees, as each agent sets their own levels.  But why should they not be paid as professional the same as attorneys, doctors, and accountants?  Some who have been in the business 10 or more years, have much knowledge to share with clients that will help them realize their dream trips.

Why do I need help?  I can do this MYSELF!!

How many times I have heard that.  After come the tears.  “I should have listened to you”.  “I spent all this money and didn’t see anything”.  “I spent all my time trying to find a bus or train or whatever”. 

The value I bring to you is worth every penny you “think” you are saving.  The internet is a great research tool.  Dig in there and see what you can find.  But there are many things it won’t tell you.

• Why would you give your credit card to someone you can’t talk to in person? 
• Everyone can make a web site.  How do you know this one is legitimate?   A relative of a client called having booked a Mexico trip.  It was a week away and she had received no documents!!!  What can I say- I am so sorry!!!
• The airlines go bankrupt and you are left with tickets you got “cheap”.  Now you have to buy more and will never get your money back and this is your honeymoon.
• The “cheap” hotel you just booked in Hawaii is under renovation and the pool is closed.
• The location for the car you rented has closed
• A hurricane came to town and the cruise ship you booked online isn’t coming into the port.  Where is it going?  My question, did you know it was hurricane season when you booked?
• Your cabin on the cruise ship was right over the disco that went on all night - it seemed.  Either go join them or sleep by the pool on the deck.
• I am a member of XYC group and I didn’t know there would be 40 motorcoaches on this trip.  I couldn’t hear the tour guide

And on and on come the stories.  But some of you have learned your lesson and are coming back. Horray for you!!!  I am here when you make that decision. 

I HAVE A DREAM VACATION.  HOW DO I MAKE IT HAPPEN?  Part 2

WHERE??

Get a nice big map of the world.  Try to visualize the distances you are considering.  If this is a new destination for you, make a plan to take small bites, thinking you may not come back again.  Then do a thorough tour of the area.  Or do you just want “notches in your belt” for having stopped in a city or destination and the sites are not important, in which case you can go as far as your time and money permits.

v     Family trip?  Consider the ages and how much information they can handle.  A vacation at a beach is easier on younger people than a tour of a country.

v     Group trip?  Church, organization or club trip needing a tour bus and guide.

v     Couple trip?  Sun, sand and surf or skiing.

v     Heritage research?  Where are your ancestors from and how did they come to your country?

HOW??

Whether you think so or not, you DO need some professional assistance.  Even the simplest of trips need someone who knows and understands the travel process.  Without a travel professional, you are on your own and that can be very expensive and uncomfortable.  When you reach a destination, how do you plan to tour it?  Have you read up on the history and know what you will be looking at?  Going to a foreign place gives you a chance to learn about this history of the people and places.  A tour guide for a day or for the whole trip is worth every penny.  You can find them at Information Offices all over the world.  Some cities/countries require special documentation for visiting. 

v     Are you backpacking?  You probably need an airline ticket and perhaps a hotel for the first and last night.  Maybe you need a train ticket and some tips on the countries or cities you want to visit. 

v     Group tour?  This is so comfortable and a great way to learn a lot.  No worries about what hotel or what restaurant.  Someone to hold your hand from start to finish

v     On Your Own?  You may need a car rental, train ticket, a tour guide for 1 hour or 1 day.  Maybe knowledge about driving in certain areas and what kind of license or insurance is needed.

Your own research is part of the adventure.  A travel professional may have been there, done that, but that person doesn’t have the very same likes and dislikes you do.  Give us some ideas and we can fill in the blanks.

I HAVE A DREAM VACATION.  HOW DO I MAKE IT HAPPEN?  Part 1

Let’s try to make it a “dream”, not a “nightmare”.  No matter what your travel plans are, you need a travel professional.  In choosing one, make sure they have the proper certifications:  CTC (Certified Travel Counselor) and MCC or ECC (Master or Elite Cruise Counselor).  Ask how extensive the agent has traveled and are they constantly in training attending seminars and conventions.  There are many “agents” who are only selling memberships and have no concern in your travel experience.  A legitimate travel professional cares about you and constantly following up on all aspects of your travel.

First of all is the WHEN?

Next is the WHERE?

Last is the HOW?

WHEN??

Every place in the world has an idealic time to visit.  There can be spring, summer, winter, and fall seasons.  Places in the southern hemisphere the seasons are direct opposite from the northern hemisphere.  Tropical places have dry seasons and wet seasons.  Desert places have dry and humid seasons. Along the equator the seasons do not vary much.   For travel seasons there is:

      High season.  When tourism is at its peak.  Usually based on school and tourist holidays

      Low season.  Uusally based on the weather – the least desirable for the most tourists.

      Shoulder season.  In many places, shoulder seasons are idyllic seasons to travel.  Weather is mild, summer crowds are gone and winter weather has not yet become a problem.  Travel prices are lower in shoulder than in summer.

 Holidays need to be considered at your destination.  Sometimes it is a great time to visit a destination and other times it can be very expensive and hard to get accommodations.  For some people, holiday times are the only way they can travel.  PLAN AHEAD.  A professional can give you good advise.

Do you like active travel?  In this case you need the best weather conditions for your activity.  You may also need to take some equipment for your trip.  We can give you advise on how to prepare for packing.  There are many weight and size restructions, especially on airlines.

It’s time to pack, call the Butler.

What??  You don’t have a Butler?  Neither do I, so let me share a few ideas I have learned as traveler.  And if you want to share your tips, please do.

•       Bottled water.  Take 3 or 4 bottles with you in your packed luggage.  This will tide you over until you can find a local source.
•       3 oz. paper cups.  Use these with bottled water for brushing your teeth.  No matter how SAFE the location, don’t trust the water.  If you mistakenly wash your tooth brush under a faucet, throw it away.  A tiny sip of bad water can ruin a trip.
•       Small umbrella.  For rain?  No, for a door on a bathroom that doesn’t have one
•       Rain ponchos for rain.  The less you carry on your shoulder, the less pain.
•       Money pouch or wallet with strap to go under your clothes.  KEEP IN THERE.  Never put valuables in a back pack or bag over your shoulder
•       Make copies of every document you take – credit cards, passports, medical cards, etc.  Take one set and leave a set at home with someone.
•       Red eye flights.  Those airline pillows are worthless.  Take an old down pillow, cut it in half and take it in your carry one for a good night sleep.
•       Eagle Creek cubes, half cubes and quarter cubes are the best for corralling groups of things.  Such as, all your electronic charges and cords; medicines and vitamins;  mosquito repellent and sun screen; shaving gear; socks; underwear and a multitude of other items that tend to get scattered all over the suitcase.
•       Eagle Creek dress shirt packing folders.  Keeps shirts and blouses folded.
•       “Pack it” compression bags.  Put that down pillow in one, roll it up and squish the air out to put it in your carry on.  Also good for underwear, sweaters, sweatshirts and any other bulky things that can be wrinkled and still usable.
•       Syringes.  In some countries, needing a shot can give you a concern.  So take your own in a paper towel roll and tape shut the ends. 

Those should give you some ideas.  Do I ever get packed right?  No, but maybe someday!!!

SUITCASE CHOICES:  HARDER THAN WHAT PAIR OF SHOES TO WEAR

Some people loves shoes.  Some love purses.  I love suitcases.  Why have just one when I have can have many?  The new colors and fabrics are so pretty.  But with the new airline regulations, some of my older suitcases have had to go into storage.  So, how do you decide what suitcase is best for your trip.

First I decide about my carryon.  What weight and size will the airline allow for this trip?

Also, how long is the flight and how many connections? 

More and more I lean toward wheels on most everything.  Or at least be able to hook an non wheel to a wheel.  For instance, I take a lap top in a case.  It can be attached to my small carryon with a strap.  My purse goes inside the carryon, so now I have just 2, the maximum most airlines allow.  However, on this last trip, I saw some people with really large wheeled carryons, a backpack and a lap top.  Most were not stopped.  Those who were, let their carryon be checked at the gate and avoided the “more than one” checked rule. 

On red eye flights, I have a back pack type with wheels.  It cost $39 and is the best suitcase I own.  In it I have                                                                                                               

      my  ½ down pillow rolled in a vacuum bag

      a sweater because you never know about the temperature on the plane

      my glasses case with an eye mask, ear plugs and lip salve

      a bottle of water I buy before boarding the plane (some airlines fill up water bottles from the plane’s tank and tell you it is bottled water)

      a quart sized zip lock bag with toilet seat covers, packets of wipes, hand sanitizer, a few bandaids, and panty liners (then you can wear your underwear more than once, if necessary), tooth paste and tooth brush

      a change of clothes

      if I am landing in a rainy place, a rain poncho. 

This bag also acts as a footrest under the seat in front of me, unless I am in business class with a foot rest.  Don’t forget the fold up bag for all the treasures you will be bringing home.  Or you can pack a small bag inside a larger bag.  Watch your weight on that one.

With that done, then I can move onto the larger bag which depends on the length of time I am gone.  Less is always better and I never seem to get that right.  The main reason is I don’t want to spend every evening doing laundry in the bathroom sink.  Many times it doesn’t even dry before I have to pack it.  Speaking of laundry, I love the old fashioned Fels Naptha bar of soap.  It rinses out quickly and is easy to pack.  It goes into a baggy with my clothes line that has suction cups on each end for hanging in a shower or even between 2 chairs on a deck.

Do you have a special suitcase?

Class is in session!

First of all, thank you for the shiny green apple.  Teachers love apples, you know.  Even more than apples, though, I love to talk to eager students about travel.  Travel in your own backyard or halfway around the world.  I’ve done plenty of both, and I’m here to help you navigate the sometimes complicated waters of selecting the right trip, traveling in optimal weather, and making the most of your time there.  Oh, and don’t forget the essentials like packing properly, getting the right vaccinations and travel medicines, and making sure your destination is prepared for any of your special needs.

My chalkboard is clean and I’m ready to start the first lesson.  This is not as strict as the classrooms of your childhood, though.  Feel free to ask a question anytime in the comments section or contact me directly through my main website.

Happy Traveling!