The Travel Teacher

Is that right???!!!  You woke up this morning and that was your decision? Maybe you need some enlightenment.

Having owned businesses of various kinds for over 30 years, this is the most mentally difficult business I have ever owned.  The responsibility for a clients “dream” vacation or trip rests totally on my shoulders.  Even though there are a multitude of pieces in this puzzle, in my client’s eyes I am the airline, the cruise line, the hotel, the car rental and on and on.  24/7/365 is the length of responsibility.  You don’t clock out at 5 PM. 

In addition, you are holding control of thousands of dollars of someone else’s money.  Remembering the deadlines, keeping watch on all the supplier’s documents to be sure all the names, dates, dollars, destinations, etc. are correct.  Some of those supplier’s are minimum wage people who just don’t care!!  Let me break it down:

• Airlines.  Oh my, what can I say?  Getting harder all the time to work with them.  Every day we get “misconnects” and have to straighten those out.  They change people’s flight times, connections, even days of flying.  And they just aren’t nice.  Not to mention all the luggage regulations and new charges popping up daily.  Next you will need coins for the former attendants who have nothing to do now but sit at the bathroom doors and hand out tissue squares.
• Hotels.  Management changes, renovations, closures and on and on.  It can be a beautiful property one day and new management trashes it the next.  The biggest thing is location, location, location.  I have to know every little town in the whole world and where the good areas and bad areas are. 
• Car Rentals.  Not so much a challenge.  Just making sure the size holds all the luggage and size of passengers.  Automatic or stick?  Airconditioning?  And taxes…oh my word!!!  Almost more than the car rental.  And don’t forget total insurance coverage.  You can be stuck in a city or country for days if you try to use your own. 
• Cruise Lines.  Knowing all the lines and all the ships in each line.  What are the conditions of each ship?  Are they being maintained?  What are the new ships coming out?  Destinations…what are the ports all over the world?  What is the best and worst time of year to go somewhere?  And cabins…good locations vs. bad locations.  Cabin categories, what are they?  What sizes are the cabins?  Booking a cruise is like buying a pair of shoes..if it doesn’t fit you, you won’t ever cruise again. 
• Tours.  Escorted, guided, independent, and a mix.  The best and worst.  There are scores of tour companies.  Knowing them all takes a long time.  Getting passengers on a wrong one is disaster. 
• Destinations.  I am required to know the whole world, and to have traveled to all or most all of it.  That costs a lot of money and travel agents DO NOT travel free.  What is there to see in every area?  People often take too big a bite and have no idea how far distances are.  What are seasons for pricing? 
• Type of Travel.  There was a study some years back defining kinds of travelers.  Those who want total comfort to those who want a hammock in a hut.  Where do clients fit on that graph?  Now I have to find the right mix so they will come back happy.  And better still, tell all their friends and family.  Selling travel is about repeat business.

Now that your eyes are open, I will add a few more details.  You need education so you can educate your clients. 

• The Travel Institute has a 2 step process that takes about 6 years to complete.  It starts with CTA after you have been an agent for 5 years and then CTC, taking as long as you need.  A very difficult course.  I have my CTC.
• Cruise Lines International has a 3 step certification process starting with ACC - Accredited Cruise Counselor to MCC- Master Cruise Counselor to ECC-Elite Cruise Counselor.  This is an ongoing training until you reach ECC.  I was #43 to get my ECC out of 250,000 or so travel agents.  It took me 13 years to reach that point.  Very few home-based travel agents can achieve ECC because of the number of cruises we have to sell to reach that certification.
• Destination Specialist courses offered by The Travel Institute as well as Tourist Boards of various countries and cities.  These are ongoing.  I have several of these.
• Seminars, Conventions and Trade Shows are being held constantly.  In our local area there are scores of agents who never attend any.  There is no way to keep up on all the changes if you are not constantly being trained.  In larger agencies, representatives do onsite training and many will come to home-based offices. 

That’s a good start.  Now what do you think?  But most of all, what does the public think about someone who just hung out a shingle or someone who has been around the “block” and can give you the best service and advise?

Eat or be eaten….the law in the wild.      

My first trip to Kenya, West Africa, was a feast for the senses.  No matter where we went, every sight was like a dream come true.

After breakfast the first morning in Nairobi, we are off in our safari vehicles.  Not long after leaving the huge teeming city with it’s noise, pollution, we pull over to the side of the road.  Our driver/guide pops the top of the minivan and WE ARE ON SAFARI!!!  A cheer goes up.  Not far along the road we spot our first zebra.  A cry goes out “A ZEBRA A ZEBRA STOP STOP!!!”.  With a smile, our guide obliges us and out come the cameras.  Little did we suspect that 10 days later, we would pass herds of zebra and not one word would be spoken, unless there were babies kicking up their heels and playing.   And so the adventure begins.   

Miles and miles of beige grass and one would never know there was anything out there.  But a twitch or an ear or swish of a tail and our guide is off the road exploring all the sights that we can’t see.  As we stop to watch prides of lions, herds of elephants, sleeping cheetahs, birds of every description and on and on, not a sound can be heard from us.  We can sit for an hour and watch mamma lions with cubs and no one hardly breathes, let alone talks.   Suddenly the guide says, sit down, and off he goes over boulders, rocks, grass and anything else in the way.  We have no idea with he has seen until he stops under the only Acacia tree for miles around and there hanging over a branch is a sleeping leopard!!!   

One day driving along we see this very tall African man wrapped in orange and red with a stick in his hand and a herd of cattle.  So excited, I ask, “Is that a Maasai?”  “Yes”, says the guide and I am beside myself.  By the end of the trip, I have met many personally and learned about their culture. Fascinating.  Have also visited their villages and crawled into their dung covered huts.    

Take a “trip on the wild side” and visit East Africa.  Call me for more exciting details and how and when to go.  Don’t leave the world until you have seen Africa.

What is your opinion about the cruise Industry?  Maybe I can shed some light.

Starting with Noah’s Ark, people have floated on the water.  All kinds of vessels, all kinds of bodies of water.  We just love floating around the world. 

Contrary to those who have served in the Navy, today’s cruising is very comfortable, informative, entertaining, and can be the ultimate vacation.  But it is like a pair of shoes, if it doesn’t fit you, you won’t be happy.  How do you know if it fits you? 

First of all, you need professional assistance.  As the highest certified professional in the industry, I am constantly monitoring all the cruise lines and all the ships in each company.  Just because your neighbor or Aunt Suzie cruised on a particular ship does not mean it is right for you.  I build a personal relationship with you to find out as much as I can to put you on the best fit.  Each time you cruise, those criteria may change and I have to know how to change you.  So, let’s start with the basics.

There are about 4 different classes of cruise lines, in my humble opinion.

• Luxury
• Premium
• Mass Market
• Assorted miscellaneous types

LUXURY - From very small yacht-type vessels to very large ocean liners, these are set apart by the ratio of staff to passengers.  Also, the inclusions such as wine with meals, stock bars in the cabins, suite-type accommodations, included shore excursions, high quality linens and bathroom amenities. Some overnight in ports of call.   Many longer cruises that are better suited to the older passengers, Just simply, like a more luxurious resort or hotel, the level of service is superior.  Definitely an adult only atmosphere.

PREMIUM - A small number of companies in this category.  Ships of various sizes, interesting ports of call with some overnights, high ratio of passengers to staff, may have some limited children’s programs, champagne on boarding, high quality service and food.  Pricewise, a step down from the Luxury brands

MASS MARKET - Larger ships, more family orientated, lots of onboard activities, many places to eat, busy and active ambience and priced for the maximum population.  Many newer ships and new builds coming all the time.  Great for goups of all types with meeting room capabilities.  Generational groups with activities for all ages. 

ASSORTED MISCELLANOUS TYPES - In this category you have

• River cruises both in the US and around the world
• Sailing vessels
• Paddle wheelers
• Small ships in many places around the world
• Theme ships such as Disney Cruise Lines
• Expedition-type ships
• Barges in the US and France-self guided or escorted

We will explore these in depth in future postings.  In the meantime, remember to get a CLIA (Cruise Line International Association) certified professional such as myself to assist you.  I know the industry and the industry knows me!!!

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.

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!