Before I was in the travel business, I used to plan all of my own travel. I read guidebooks, did tons of research, and booked things based on the advice of sources such as Lonely Planet, Rick Steves, and Trip Advisor. I would spend hours on the research and try to get the best deal. And our vacations were pretty awesome! We hiked the Inka Trail in Peru, attended Oktoberfest in Munich, and enjoyed a whirlwind tour of Italy. It honestly never occurred to me to contact a travel advisor for those trips, mainly because I was afraid of what it would cost and figured I could do as good a job myself.
What I've learned since becoming a Virtuoso travel advisor is that there is a lot I didn't know. When we went to Peru, we had a great time. But we missed out on some things. We didn't book a night at the Belmond Hotel Monasterio in Cuzco, which although pricey, would have been an amazing experience and well worth the splurge. We also didn't get to sample many of the wonderful restaurants in Cuzco, because honestly, we didn't have the advice of someone who had been there and could recommend the the best ones. In Lima, we ended up in a hotel in a bad location, when for a small price difference we could have been in a much better location and spent less on taxis to get back and forth from the areas of the city we wanted to explore.
My process is to ask a lot of questions. I want to get to know you and what you are looking for. Some examples of the things I want to know are:
This sometimes takes more than one conversation. Although we try to accommodate our clients who prefer to handle everything by email, I find that things go much better when we can get on the phone and discuss things. It helps me get to know you better and helps me do a better job of designing the vacation you want.
Once I know who you are and what you are looking for, I can start the design process. This is where I will create your itinerary and include those special details and experiences that will make your vacation rise above something you can book online. My Virtuoso network gives me access to tour operators, guides, and special experiences in all of the corners of the world, and I will leverage those to create your unique vacation designed just for you.
My knowledge of the destinations and my connections, allow me to present options that you may not be aware are possible. My job is to present those unique experiences and let you choose the ones that excite you. I know your vacation time is precious, and I want to make sure you get the most out of it.
Hotel bookings are an area where a lot of people think they can do just as well online. But what they may not know is that we have a hotel booking advantage with our Virtuoso hotels. Many of these hotels offer our clients exclusive amenities, such as upgrades and spa credits, that you can't get on your own booking online. Sometimes you will see a lower rate online, but the value of the special amenities we can obtain for you usually outweighs any increase in price. When you book with us, we leverage our relationships with our hotel partners to enhance your stay. This helps us get you early check in, or other special favors, which you won't get when you book through an online site.
Air is an area that many travel agents shy away from but, as a travel advisor, I am happy to offer my air expertise. When you book air with our agency you'll pay a booking fee. In exchange, we will book your flights and provide our monitoring service. Our air department monitors travel alerts from all of the major airlines, so when there is a weather issue, strike or other issue that could interrupt your travel plans, we are on it proactively to get you rebooked or rescheduled and minimize any impact on your trip. In addition, should you run into a problem while traveling, we provide 24-hour support by phone.
If you're booking a cruise, you may just be looking for the best price, and we are always glad to provide a quote. But what if you could take that cruise and turn it into something unique and designed just for you? Our cruise partners offer wonderful itineraries and shore excursions, but if you're not a group shore excursion type of person, we can set up private cars and drivers to meet you at each port and take you to the places that you want to see. We can also set up private shore excursion experiences designed specially for you. Our Virtuoso Voyages are a great perk exclusively for Virtuoso travelers, and offer you a host on board the cruise, and special amenities.
Using a travel agent is not for everyone and may not be something you do for every vacation you take. If you're just looking for a cheap flight and moderate hotels, you are probably better off arranging your travel yourself. Bargains are plentiful at the online booking sites. Using a travel advisor pays off when you are doing more complex travel such as:
If you'd like to experience a new way to plan your next vacation, use the link below to schedule a conversation.
Topics: Tips