Thursday, September 12, 2013

Why Waste Money On Travel Professionals?

Did you see this article from Forbes last week? "Why I Happily Waste Money On A Travel Agent (Maybe You Should Too)"
The author totally gets what today's travel professional/client relationship is about.  Convenience and value for the consumer.  People who have never used a travel agent (or haven't used one in a while), always ask if Internet is hurting our business.  Probably about as much as Home Depot selling lawn mowers is hurting the business of the person who cuts my grass, o
r WebMD is hurting doctors.   It always makes me wonder how old people think I am because the Internet has been around long before I ever thought about a career in travel! =)  
Of course Great Scott Getaways was founded long after Expedia, Travelocity and Priceline were established. They are not necessarily competition, just a different way of doing things. The web is a tool nearly everyone uses these days.  
The online booking engines are agencies, they just have a different business model than your local travel retailers.  They are able to save a few bucks by outsourcing call centers and increasing volume while you do the work.  I've found most people think they're going AROUND a travel agent by booking vacations on those sites.  Not true, but they have done an excellent job at marketing that idea.  There are call center type agencies that employ American workers and count on volume with particular suppliers to pass on savings.  If you have done the research to know exactly what you want and don't need much hand holding at least use one of those.  

The average consumer spends 42 hours online checking out travel.  40 hours is a work week for most people!  I bet most people have not stopped to think how all those hours here and there add up by the time you've made a decision to book your vacation.  Even the most expensive travel agencies don't charge what you make in a week to book a trip.  (Perhaps with the exception of those like Bill Fischer who I hear charge retainers upwards of  $100,000 to celebrity clients like Oprah Winfrey and Barbara Walters.)  

Is saving a fee really worth what you make in a week?  I'd call that penny wise and pound foolish.  The author made a great point about some people enjoying doing all that research and attention to detail.  There is almost nothing you can't do yourself if you're willing to put the time and effort into learning.  The problem is most people don't want to spend their precious free hours on the Internet gambling on ticket prices and guessing which resort reviews are fake or just disgruntled guests who'll never be satisfied.  For the average person, a quick online reservation for a big trip can easily end up in a big mistake if you're not careful.  For every one who saved a few bucks online there is a story about a big online booking mistake.  Like a woman who thought she found a cruise cheaper, but it ended up being on the wrong ship.  A groom that put his wife's married name on the reservation (not what is actually on her ID) and ended up missing their honeymoon flight.  Or a shopper who found out the $599 deal was a room at a beach resort with no windows.  That one was a family member!  Of course, I informed them but I'm just saying that to get the commission right? =)    Wrong!  Your local businesses are there to help plan your dream vacation from start to finish if you desire, or just be the one sitting on the phone for hours getting confirmations for you if you prefer minimal help.  We depend on referrals from our clients and wouldn't survive if we had the mentality of screwing them for a one-time commission.  Of course any human makes mistakes, but 50 bad reviews will hurt a local business much more than a national one.  Most of us are doing what we love and building lasting relationships with clients.
Today's model is a partnership between the travel professional and client.  You have to communicate preferences we would never know.  We need to constantly provide valuable service at a competitive price. The transparency of the Internet has made it easier for you to double check prices ( I have no problem checking for a price match), find travelers to share your excitement with or just get some great countdown clocks.  It hasn't made it less expensive to fly.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Tourists with a Traveler Spirit AKA I don't want to cook on my vacation

This week I ran across an article from a travel blogger, "Why Travelers Should Aspire to be More Like Tourists" that renewed a little peeve I blogged about last year.  Why are 'travelers' so self- righteous?  Why is 'tourist'  such a dirty word?

There seems to be a rift in what most people think of as authentic travel and tourist travel.  I don't see why you can't do both.  Travelers seem to think of themselves as hip, socially conscious folks who wouldn't dare set foot in one of the evil corporate resorts.  They think of tourists as the those who just want to transplant a little piece of America into a new spot for a week without really experiencing any of the local flavor of their destination.  To me that's an artificial separation. I don't see why you can't have an authentic experience, learn about local culture and still have luxury suites on the same trip. 

Even other travel professionals get into this at industry events.  It's quite funny!  There are plenty who are so proud that they've never been on a cruise and just don't get all-inclusive resorts, ugh! (Insert disdainful face here)
Well I'm the first to speak up that I LOVE them both.  Cruises are some people's first introduction to foreign travel and a springboard for further exploration.  Sure, you'll have some of the typical ugly American tourist behavior but you'll also meet people from all over the world and sample several different places in one week without fighting airport security.  Hoarding food at the buffet is not mandatory!  
All-inclusive resorts have totally saved my vacation life when it comes to getting some beach time once the kids arrive.  Staying at the resort is not mandatory!  It's a choice.  Some people may feel more comfortable exploring the next time they go to a certain place.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  My son has met little friends from several different countries and across the U.S. at the kids club.  We have still done some very cool tours that have made lasting impressions and got the whole family in touch with local culture when we stayed at all inclusive resorts.  Even if you never go beyond the gates, your whole family is still learning something.  Not all resorts are foreign owned corporate monsters that bleed the local economy.  There are several high end resorts that are Mexican owned and operated.  You don't have to stay in a cabana to contribute  to the local economy.  

For 'just the two of us' escapes, I've found all-inclusive resorts a big stress reliever. Sure you can rent a condo or villa, but the 'where do you want to eat?' game will get tiresome real quick!  (Fellas, I know you hate when we say it doesn't matter!)  At least if everything is already accessible and paid for on property you have the freedom to just enjoy each other.  There are great tours in every port or destination that will make great shared memories and acquaint you a slice of local life.  
So here are my suggestions to combine that relaxing getaway with some 'traveler' spirit.


How to travel like a tourist and have memories like a traveler:

1. Schedule tours that involve volunteering or visiting indigenous communities.

2. Buy locally made souvenirs.

3. Consider splitting your time between adventure activities and luxury resorts.  (Say 3 days hiking and camping in the jungle and 4 at the beach?)

4.Take excursions unique to the destination.  Certain things like zip-lining are everywhere, so ask what is here that I won't get anywhere else?  

Of course these are all things your trusty travel professional can help you arrange.  =)

www.greatscottgetaways.com