A good travel agent can help take the confusion out of your vacation. (Ken Russell Salvador)
Asking the right questions is the key to finding a travel agent who can help you plan your perfect getaway.
BY NICOLE ALPHONSO
A travel agent plays a vital role in planning any vacation, and taking the time to find an adviser who can meet your needs is an important step toward your dream destination–and well worth the effort. Understanding your own travel needs, and how to communicate them to your agent can make the difference between a good trip and a great one.
SHOP AROUND
To find a good agent, check out travel agencies in your area, or even better, ask friends and coworkers for recommendations. Prepare a list of questions to take with you. You’ll need to know the hours of operation, and how to reach the agent if you have any questions. Do they have a toll-free number you can call after hours or in case of an emergency? How will they assist you if something goes wrong on your trip? These might seem like minor details now, but the ease with which you can get in touch with your agent can determine how quickly problems get resolved.
Ask a prospective travel agent if he has experience with the destination you’re considering. If not, is he willing to put in the effort to get you the information you need? If not, you may as well throw a dart at a map. Ideally, he should be able to make recommendations regarding hotels, restaurants, culture, places of interest, and know the weather and local customs. A practised agent will have the answers you need to make informed decisions, saving you time and money.
SPEAK UP
Once you’ve found an agent you can work with, it’s up to you to communicate your needs and preferences. Make sure your travel adviser knows whether you are flexible with flight times and dates, are partial to a particular airline, have frequent flyer numbers or need special accommodations. It’s up to you to tell her about any specific details so that she can present you with all your options according to your budget.
Tell the agent about any activities or interests you want to explore, or ask for suggestions. Do you want to check out art galleries and museums, or dine on local cuisine? Are you yearning for a warm, sandy beach to stroll along? Don’t wait until you arrive at your hotel to start asking where you might find a nice place for lunch. Once your travel agent knows what you’re looking for, he or she can help you map out your trip ahead of time so you can experience everything the destination has to offer, without wasting valuable vacation time.
YOU’VE GOT BAGGAGE
When you’ve made hotel reservations and booked your flight, be sure to ask about luggage regulations. Every airline has different restrictions depending on the size of the aircraft, the hauls of the flights and the number of passengers it can carry. Your agent can give you all the details before you pack your bags, sparing you from last-minute hassles at check-in time at the airport (or from having to leave souvenirs behind when it’s time to come home).
A good travel agent who puts your needs first to ensure a fantastic vacation is worth his or her weight in gold. iT!
Nicole Alphonso works as a reservations travel agent for a Canadian company, which plans tours. She has traveled to many countries and is very passionate about wandering.
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