“Do people still use travel agents?”
It’s a question I hear often, and my answer is always the same…
ABSOLUTELY! At least, the smart and worry free ones do.
While the internet is chock full of information about every destination under the sun and there you will find a multitude of web sites dedicated to allowing you to book your vacations yourself, travel professionals still provide a valuable service for today’s savvy vacationers, like you..
A quick Google search will put hundreds, if not thousands, of articles, blog posts, reviews, trip reports, photos and more at your fingertips. And that’s all before you have even done a search on Pinterest. It can be more than a bit overwhelming!
How do you know what information is up to date and correct? Can you be sure those reviews are accurate and unbiased? Are those photos current and unedited?
And if you’ve ever said to yourself that you would never book with a travel agent because you prefer to do it all yourself, let me fill you in on a little secret…
Those websites you are using to search for the best price? They are all travel agencies.
Not only that, they typically have more restrictions and fees than working with a personal travel advisor should you need to make a change or cancel your vacation unexpectedly. And then there is the issue of customer service, or in the case of many of these big online agencies, “lack of customer service.”
In 2017 there were 17 named storms, 10 hurricanes, and 6 major hurricanes that affected travelers in and around the Caribbean.
I was able to advocate for my clients and on their behalf with my travel partners and was able to make arrangements for travel delays, rebooking, and changing dates.
Saving my clients hours of time on the phone; time they were able to spend with their families instead. And all the while my clients were able to rest assured that the details had been taken care of and they would still be able to enjoy their dream vacation.
Take a moment and compare the cancellation policies of your favorite travel discount website with those of the airline or resort directly.
You’ll usually find them to be rather unforgiving. When you work with me, I have multiple travel partners I can use to customize your vacation, and I will take their cancellation and change policies into consideration in selecting the best option for your family.
And what about payments? Most of the time you will need to pay for your vacation in full when you book with an online discounter. In most cases I will be able to book your trip with a deposit and in many cases you will be able to make multiple payments on your vacation if you’d like to spread the cost out before you travel.
As a travel professional, I work with my clients providing them with concierge level service from the time they reach out to me until well after they return from their vacations.
I take the time to listen to your vacation wants, needs and expectations. I get to know you. I ask lots of questions to help make sure that the recommendations I make are right for you.
Sure, some of my clients come to me knowing exactly what they want down to the specific details, but more often than not what they’ve found either isn’t the right option to meet their expectations, or it isn’t the best value for their hard-earned vacation dollars.
I am able to use my personal experience and vast industry network to recommend options custom-made to meet their wants, needs, expectations, and budget. Your family is unique and your vacation should be as well.
Once we’ve found the perfect destination for you, I make sure that the options that go into your itinerary are the best value for your budget. I’ve spent years cultivating a network of relationships within the travel industry, and as a result, I am often able to secure additional perks or upgrades for you that you would not have been aware of had you planned the vacation yourself..
My services don’t end once you book your vacation. In fact, that’s often where the essential services begin.
“Lorrie is very attentive and guides you through every step of your vacation planning! She truly cares about her clients and goes above and beyond to ensure your vacation is special! Thank you so much for helping us plan our Disney vacations! I can’t say enough about how your efforts and guidance made our vacations so special! ” – Sharnet A
It’s often the small details that make the difference between a good vacation and a well-planned, well-executed, DREAM vacation. Knowing that all of those little details are taken care of and have been double and triple checked by me means you can relax and enjoy your time knowing everything is taken care of for you. You can also relax knowing that if anything should go wrong, you’ve got a professional in your corner helping to solve any problems and advocate for you should the need arise.
Whether it’s transportation delays or an issue at your resort, you need only contact me, and I will be working behind the scenes to resolve the situation. Because of my connections and the resources available through my travel partners, I can often facilitate a resolution sooner than you might expect.
Working with a travel professional is like having a personal concierge dedicated to ensuring that your vacation is expertly planned and customized to your family’s unique expectations. Allowing someone else to take care of the details and eliminate the stress and overwhelm of planning is a luxury you deserve to experience.
Planning the perfect experience begins with scheduling your Dream Vacation Planning Session you can use my online scheduler to select a time that is convenient for you by clicking here.
During your session we will talk about your dreams, wants, and desires for your families vacation and I will answer your questions and provide suggestions.
Based on your Planning Session, I will provide personalized vacation proposals. You select the one that is your DREAM vacation.
You will receive helpful information and important reminders throughout your vacation planning process. AND I will monitor your vacation for any discounts or package enhancements.
