Travel Agent Appreciation Month

avatar

Every year, Apple Vacations celebrates Travel Agent Appreciation Month during the month of May. This year is no exception. As a Senior Sales Manager with Apple Vacations, my primary role is to work hand-in-hand with our travel agent partners to keep them up-to-date on any new destinations, resorts and the latest hot deals. Yet, whenever I meet someone new and they discover what I do for a living, I’m often asked, “With all of the resources on the internet, why would anyone need to use a travel agent?”

Travel agents literally spend hundreds of hours each year continuing their education of destinations and resorts by participating in educational seminars and familiarization trips (FAMs) to keep their knowledge current. The internet is a great tool but the information is often conflicting, contradictory and confusing.  A good travel agent uses all available resources plus their personal studies and experiences to ask the right questions and recommend the vacation that best fits your needs. In the long run, planning your vacation takes less time to qualify you and your family for the right vacation by using a travel agent.

If you’re still not convinced that it makes sense to use the services of a travel agent, consider this … Apple Vacations considers the travel agent’s input so critical to successful vacation planning that the cost of the travel agent’s services are already included in the cost of each and every Apple Vacation. That’s right – the cost of your Apple Vacation includes paying your travel agent to book your vacation with us for you so by not using a travel agent, you are in essence short-changing yourself and not getting the full benefit of the Apple Vacation product and service. Since your travel agent’s service is included in the cost of your trip, why not get all of your monies worth?

So, during the month of May, I hope you’ll join Apple Vacations and say “Thank You” for a job well done to the person who cares so much about you and your vacation experience… your local travel agent!   If you don’t already have a personal travel agent, visit Ask An Agent on AppleVacations.com.

Say YES to Customer Service!

avatar

Travel Agents, and even Apple Vacations, are often asked … why book with you, when I can go direct and book with an On-Line Travel Site and save a few dollars.

I say step back and look at the big picture. What are you really saving? OK, you might on occasion save a few dollars, if anything…  but what are you getting in return? What if there is a problem, or a delay or change in plans, who is there to help you?  Don’t you want a travel agent and a reliable Tour Operator like Apple Vacations to take care of you? Don’t you want a customer service team and representatives in your travel destination?

A friend of mine was planning a trip to New York for an event last fall. I told her to book through the hotel website as the cancellation policy was 4PM day of arrival. She found a rate of $20.00 less with an On-Line Travel Site. I said don’t do it! She did and when the event was moved by one day she was out 100% the cost of the room. She called and asked me for help, and there was nothing anyone could do. They would not allow her to move the date by 1 day. So she paid for a room she never used. Continue reading