Hi everyone and Happy Friday!
It’s been awhile since I’ve given a Friday update of my exciting (but crazy!) travel agent life. It’s been a little hectic but here’s what’s been going on in my work life (which is quite honestly the only life I have right now during my busy season).
2018 G Adventures Partnership
You all, I cannot contain my excitement. Out of 200+ travel agent applicants, I was selected as 1 of 7 2018 Brand Ambassadors with G Adventures. I applied back in November, then after they narrowed it down to 17 applicants, it was interview time! They just announced the 7 winners today and I am one of them! This is exciting for many reasons:
- The trip that I get to go on is going to be not only adventure-based (like all G Adventure trips) but will also have a philanthropic and community-based itinerary. I will get to work directly in the local community and assist others. What I admire most about the company is that their volunteer-based trips focus on sustainability. I know that term is thrown out so much and is generic, but as an example, they are going into the communities and teaching women how to make crafts so they can sell them to tourists for money. Even after the group leaves, that woman is still able to continue making a living and making money and isn’t relying on hand outs. Pretty neat, eh?
- I have the opportunity to be a brand advocate for this company and potentially host webinars that will be seen by other travel agents and want to help educate other travel agents on how to sell this product, and what better way than getting to experience the trip for myself?!
- Another opportunity is to raise awareness for not only the G Adventures trips but also those particular organizations in which they work with in the local communities and help bring more helping hands their way!
The 7 trip opportunities are Sri Lanka, Nepal, Tanzania, Peru, Colombia, Spain, and Belize. To be honest, I will be happy for the experience at any of these destinations. They all offer a wonderful experience to get my hands dirty and get to work on an adventure of a lifetime (yes I’m leaving the pink dress and stilettos at home)
Nerd Wallet Interview
I interviewed with Nerd Wallet in this article and had the opportunity to talk about when it’s best to use a Travel Agent. Which, by the way guys, is always. That is all. No, but seriously check out the article it offers very sound advice. I remember thinking that using a Travel Agent is so expensive to use and that the only way they could possibly make money is by up charging clients. Nope. That’s not a thing. Not only do we not mark anything up, we also offer flexible payment plan options and deposits as low as $50 per person. #StayWoke
Vacation CRM
For those of you in this wonderful industry, make sure you join the Facebook Group “Travel Agents Helping Other Travel Agents.” The members of that group are a wealth of knowledge and I learn so much each day I read posts. One of my biggest dilemmas, is that I’ve gotten so overwhelmed with so many clients that I am trying to manage them all. It’s a pretty good problem to have, I will admit. It excites me that I’m at a point this soon into my career as a Travel Agent that one of my daunting tasks is keeping up with business.
I’ve been managing all of my clients on a Google Spreadsheet, with multiple tabs: Current prospects (people I owe itineraries too or owe follow ups), Closed prospects (people booked with at least a deposit down, but haven’t traveled yet), Paid (once I get paid from my boss the people from the closed section get put into the paid section), Wedding leads (this is a whole other beast of all the wedding leads my company receives from Richmond Weddings) and Z Archived which is for clients that I’ve followed up with and never heard back from or they let me know they won’t be booking with me for whatever reason (it’s not in the cards financially, a family emergency came up, etc.).
But from that lovely aforementioned group, I learned about Vacation CRM and how it helps organize invoices and payment reminders (that does the work for you and lets you know when to follow up with them). So I think I may give it a try at the beginning of March. It’s $50/month but if it makes work work a little more efficient it’s worth it. Will give you an update on a later post once I start using it and get a rhythm going. The biggest thing for me is just capturing all of my clients (even those who don’t actually book with me!). If you interacted with me I want to keep you on file – send you a birthday card, a holiday greeting! Something that lets you know I’m thinking about you and didn’t go ghost after you went on your vacation. Relationship building is most important in this industry – well any industry with a sales focus.
Jamaica Sandals FAM Trip
I know I already posted my Bahamas Sandals FAM Trip when I went this past summer, but I had the opportunity to tour MORE Sandals properties in Jamaica. I toured:
- Sandals South Coast
- Sandals Montego Bay
- Sandals Inn
- Sandals Royal Caribbean
- Sandals Royal Plantation
- Sandals Ochi Beach Resort
- Beaches Ochi
- Beaches Negril
- Sandals Negril
- Grand Pineapple Negril – affiliated with Sandals but much lower in quality. Good for budgets though!
I had the privilege of getting to tour the over the water bungalows; at both Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals South Coast. Will share the deets with you next week!
Have a good weekend everyone!
