What drew Left Eye to Honduras? Thoughts on the TLC Biopic

I just watched 'CrazySexyCool', the TLC biopic on VH1.  While the movie was just ok, the songs brought back lots of middle and high school memories.  I loved their music and the highlight of a family trip to Disney World was seeing them on Space Mountain.  Somewhere at my mom's house there is a dog eared picture of a very geeky looking me thrilled they were nice enough to pose for a picture.

Anybody talking about experiential travel piques my curiosity so I wanted to know what drew  Left Eye to Honduras so often.  Honduras is not a super popular destination for most travelers, but a great place for diving, Mayan history and an interesting cultural mix of Afro-Caribbean culture and Spanish colonial influence.

Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes bought a condo and her foundation was in the process of establishing an orphanage there at the time of her tragic death in a car accident near La Ceiba, on the northern coast of Honduras.  She had spent time at a healing village in the area they allude to in the movie when they're talking about being somewhere without a phone. Lately I've spent lots of time learning about all of the wellness, yoga, spiritual and meditation retreats in Mexico so I was curious about  this one in Honduras.  The Usha Healing Village is still there with Dr. Sebi who was mentioned in the film.  (Interestingly while researching Dr. Sebi, I found a claim from back in 2005 that he treated Micheal Jackson for addiction, which no one believed at the time.)  It's funny that people can find something that inexplicably draws them to a certain place and keeps them coming back.  Sometimes that can be the people, the cuisine or just a nebulous 'energy'.  Travel is not just a way to escape, but a way to find yourself sometimes.  

Did you ever wonder if the Mayan calendar influenced sexual positions?

Me either, but I did learn there is a Maya sutra of sorts last week.   I had the opportunity to attend the Mundo Maya Feria in Merida last week to meet companies that specialize in tourism to the Mayan world. Interest in the region peaked last year and now that 2012 has passed more people are interested in learning more about this culture since clearly they weren't predicting the end of the world. The Mayans are famous for craftsmanship of many items from indigenous materials like sisal.  The artisans can make hats, clothing, accessories, beauty products and much more from natural materials found in the Yucatan peninsula.
Go to just about any marketplace and you will see all sorts of hammocks. ( I made some great contacts that I'll blog about later, but I was just dying to get this one out!)
In the square of Merida we talked to a man who still lives in a small Mayan village and comes into town to sell hammocks.  The craft has been passed down through several generations in his family.  My colleague had just bought one the day before and wanted to compare the quality, but we ended up getting a real education in Mayan hammocks.  I'm sure he missed several sales talking to us for so long, but we really enjoyed learning and he wanted to practice his English.  His learned his near perfect English and French from just talking to visitors on the street.  His assistant, he proudly pointed out, learned in school and only spoke in broken sentences.  (Sorta like my Spanish)  I learned so much about the Mayan culture from Yucatan to Chiapas during this trip, but the thing that sticks out in my mind most is when he pulled out his little dogeared manual of all the different things you could do in a hammock.  Too bad my camera was dead at this point in the day because it was comical to watch this old man's eyes light up as he flipped through the book.  He must have remembered some really great times in his hammock.
So now from just taking a few minutes to engage a stranger we have an invitation to the village to learn how to make hammocks; and if we stay a week, one to take home.  Oh the people you meet when you travel!

P.S.
This booklet is actually sold by some company in Australia on ebay but I'd much rather buy from the locals.   Next trip to the Yucatan bring one back!  Matter of fact, where ever you go, try to buy a unique souvenir from indigenous people.  It's more unique than another Senor Frogs shot glass and supports the people of the region.

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, or 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.

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

Travel Matchmaking

Yesterday someone said at a networking function they were the 'match.com' of franchises.  That got a chuckle from the crowd and got me thinking about how that's true for most of our careers.  We're always matching the right people, products or solutions in some way.
In travel, my task is to match people to the right destination at the right time, then to the right resort and activities.  While they're gone I'm crossing my fingers that the 'date' goes well.  I love the feeling of satisfied travelers raving about how much they loved their vacations, how much fun their family had and how relaxed they feel coming back.  Those clients are usually the ones that are open with their past likes and dislikes, what their needs are for this particular trip and are honest about their budget.
People always ask me what's my favorite place, or what's the 'best' hotel.  I can see the little letdown when I say 'it depends'.  It really does depend on what you're looking for at the time.  You may hate my favorite hotels, not because there's anything wrong, but because it's not the right fit for you.  Even my own mom did not enjoy a cruise she went on with us because she really doesn't enjoy formal dining. We all love food in my house!   That is one of our top priorities when choosing our vacations.  My mom is much more into activities, so she would be more comfortable in a place with more activities. I've seen 70+ year olds with more energy than your average 20 something.  One of the reasons I 'broke up' with my first travel agent is because she had a one size fits all attitude and made recommendations based on our ages, not what our actual priorities were at the time.
So you see why it's important to delve deeper into what you want beyond the price tag. (Kinda like not picking a spouse from their pic online.) Value is key! If you don't share what's important to you, it's easy to wind up in the wrong place.  I've heard people complain that they didn't like a resort because there were too many kids, the beach wasn't big enough, the food wasn't good, there were too many foreigners etc.  Most of the time these people have decided on a vacation solely on price! Each of these concerns could be addressed with a resort in the same destination that is not necessarily more expensive. That's one reason I've stopped advertising deals so much.  When someone jumps on a great sale without considering if that is the right match for them, it's a matter of time before there's a messy break up and they think they really hate the destination altogether.

Great Diving in Mexico and the Caribbean

Cozumel- A Mexican Heart and Caribbean Feel

Ringed by 40 different dive sites, Cozumel Island is a diver's dream since it sits on the 2nd largest reef in the world.  There are a number of resorts to choose from (American chains, all-inclusives and boutique hotels), a lively bar scene at night once the cruise ships are gone and a small Mayan ruin to visit when you want to stay dry.  If you've only been to Cozumel on a port stop, you will find there is so much more to this island once you explore.  Even I hate the aggressive vendors inside the port and the cookie cutter Diamonds International like stores. You can take a direct flight to Cozumel or fly to Cancun and take the ferry over from Playa for more air connectivity.

There are more than 150 dive sites surrounding Grand Cayman.  Touted as the "world's best 12-foot dive" by the destination, Stingray City allows divers the chance to swim with more than two-dozen "tame" southern stingrays. Wreck divers have a brand new attraction to explore off Seven Mile Beach with the sinking of the Kittiwake, a 251-foot, 2,200-ton, five-deck decommissioned naval vessel. Turks & Caicos is considered to be one of the top diving in the world, with protected natural reefs, crystal-clear waters and an amazing range of incredible undersea sights. For novices or families, Beaches Turks & Caicos is perfect since SCUBA diving is included in the all-inclusive rate for everyone over 10 years old. If you're not certified they offer a resort course and kids introductory programs for additional fees. Belize is along the same reef system as Cozumel so also boasts some of the best aquatic life in the western hemisphere.  What you won't find in Mexico is the famous 'Great Blue Hole', Belize's signature dive.  The Discovery Channel ranked this as number the number one most amazing place to dive. www.greatscottgetaways.com

Wine Tourism in Mexico

Ruta de Vino

If you thought you had to travel to Europe to sample some unique foreign wines you're in for a treat just across the border.  Mexico has produced wine since 1521, making it one of the oldest producers in the world.  The Guadaloupe Valley in Baja has been called the Napa Valley of Mexico. Although Tequila is by far the favorite spirit, consumption is on the rise among the younger generation.  Since imports of Mexican wine are more expensive visiting the boutique wineries along the wine route will give you an opportunity to taste wine you may not have access to at home.   The state of Baja California is home to world famous golfing in Los Cabos, whale watching and eco adventure tours from Loreto.  The area is also a short bus trip from San Diego making it possible to take a day tour if you prefer to stay stateside.  

The Fiesta de la Vendimia is currently celebrating it's 23rd year with events throughout the Valle de Guadaloupe, Tijuana and Mexicali.  The 17 day harvest festival happens each year in the first weeks of August and attracts wine lovers, musicians and chefs preparing fine cuisine for pairings and the paella contest.  For more information on Mexico's wine production and other good news check Mexico Today's website.