This topic is a hot one. My previous job was as a travel consultant for one of the largest travel consulting agencies in the world and I have traveled to over 22 countries in the past 8 years, and have booked travel using every method possible.
The truth is, it really depends on how much time and effort you are willing to put into planning your trip. Planning and purchasing something as simple as a round trip flight online could not be easier and I highly recommend it to save money and time. It requires very little information and thought. Travel agencies charge for their service, and that charge could be between $20.00 – $200.00, depending on the flight and destination. As well, there is nothing that the travel agent can provide for you that the internet cannot.
If you are planning a larger trip, with multiple destinations, internal flights or tourist attractions, booking online could be a bit more work. Having said that, it is still not that hard. It is just a matter of doing your research. If you are planning a trip to Spain and are planning to travel on to Italy by boat afterwards you would simply have to search the information on busses or trains for your overland travel in Spain, and the ferry information for your boat to Italy. Sometimes you are able to pre-purchase your internal travel or tourist attraction tickets online, sometimes you can take care of it when you arrive at the location.
However, if the research is something that you do not have time for, or you feel a bit more secure having your trip planned by someone who does this as a profession, a travel agent may be the answer for you. They have the ability use a plethora of travel resources and their experienced co-workers, but this will come at an extra cost for their service.
Here is an example of a fairly large trip I planned as a travel agent. Two clients of mine wanted to travel to the UK for 3 weeks. They asked me to plan everything from international and domestic flights to the hotels and travel insurance. By the time that this entire trip was booked and paid for, the clients ended up paying roughly $500.00 more than they would have online. As a travel agent in this particular company, as with many companies, you are expected to mark your products up, and are penalized for not doing so. The clients did not see this mark up as it was hidden in the grand total.
Everything that I planned and booked for these clients could have been booked online. As a travel agent I had access to a few cheaper hotels than they would have found online, but as a travel agent, I was expected to mark them up! The security of having them reserved and paid for when they arrived was worth it to these senior citizen travelers. Travel agents are not rip off artists, but it is part of their job to “mark it up”.
By: Amanda Rhyno
Posts Tagged ‘Planning A Trip’
Booking Travel Online Vs Travel Agents
April 21st, 2010Travel Anxiety – How to Manage Travel Anxiety?
February 26th, 2010
People with panic disorder tend to get anxious and pangs of fear whenever there is a trip drawing near. Now, most people want to know whether there is a way to ward off these fears and anxieties in near future.
Yes, there are several ways to manage travel anxiety. First, you need to determine the situation you are in and figure out a great plan for make a trip more enjoyable.
It is a great idea to discuss with your therapist prior to planning a trip. Here, the focus needs to be given on penning down all your thoughts as you go through the steps and then discuss with your therapy about your future plan.
- Steps:
a) Analyze the situation
Go through the whole trip step by step. Here, you must include how you would travel, all your accommodations, people you would meet, the activities you would engage in etc. Thereafter, you need to determine your anxiety regarding each plan. Once you do this, just rate the overall anxiety level.
b) Honesty
You require to be honest and very realistic regarding what’s possible. Here, you need to work with your therapist. You must make sure that you have enough time to prepare for the trip and the events associated to it.
Do not care about pressure coming from other people. In case, you decide that you are unable to take a specific trip, you owe it to yourself to work on the fears that restrict you from doing so.
c) Plan
You must come up with a plan in order to do something about your fear. As soon as you decide to go out on a trip, make a list of each step involved in the trip and also any fear related to it. Once, the list is ready, it is time to decide on what to do for each fear that you encounter when going out on a trip.
d) Decide on fears that need to be removed
For instance, if you fear flying and have about six months to prepare the entire trip, fix up a meeting with a cognitive behavioral therapist to discuss on the fear you face. Tell him about the fears you encounter at a specific period of time in order to work on it in an organized manner.
e) Feel comfortable
You need to do everything that makes you feel comfortable for a trip. Go for shopping and buy some good and important stuff for yourself.
f) Stay organized
Plan for your trip way ahead. Do not make last minute reservations. This will only create panic.
g) Speak to other people
Try to speak to other people who face the same problem. This will make you feel much better. Try to be a member of a local support group.
h) Inform your friends
Keep your friends informed about panic disorder.
i) Avoid rush
Try to be on time and a little early. This will relax you.
j) Breathe
Focus on breathing. Take slow and deep breathe.
By: Bertil Hjert
Travel Tips – Packing Your Suitcase without Stress
February 17th, 2010
The thrill of planning a trip will often light you up and consume all of your time. You look through guidebooks, talk to friends about their experiences, and research your itinerary on the internet. Still all this planning and research will not make the task of packing any less daunting.
Who hasn’t stood at the foot of their bed with empty suitcases spread on top, the
night before a big trip, filled with anxiety because you still haven’t packed?!?! You
try and try to think about exactly what you should be packed, throwing things in
and then taking them out. And you wonder, why didn’t any of the guidebooks give
you any advice on packing?
Well, hopefully this guide will help you, so that you can confidently pack and enjoy
the moments leading up to your trip, rather than being stressed over the contents
of your bag.
Luggage – I recommend taking one carry-on and one checked suitcase.
Shorter trips may allow for a carry-on only, but I would never take more than one
checked bag no matter how long you are traveling. Remember, when you get to
your destination, you will need to carry your luggage and you don’t know how far
you’ll be lugging it. While we’re talking about lugging your luggage… I would
recommend selecting a suitcase or pack that had wheels, but that you can also hand
carry. There are many varieties of large backpacks with wheels. The reasoning is
that if your wheels break off (a common occurrence along cobblestone streets), you
will still be able to carry your pack.
Shoes – Bring a pair of sneakers (or boots) for outdoor activities such as
hiking, and a dressier pair of closed-toe shoes for museums, dinner’s out, or other
city activities. If you are traveling to a hot locale, then also bring a pair of sandals
that can go from beach to dinner. Resist the urge to bring 10 pairs of shoes!!! As
someone who loves shoes, I always want to pack a wide variety… but we must avoid
packing too many shoes! They take up space, are heavy, and are an unnecessary
addition.
Shorts – When traveling to a hot climate, shorts are often considered a
requirement. Still, remember that in many cultures shorts are not considered
acceptable. For example, many museums and churches such as the Vatican will not
allow you to enter if you are wearing shorts (or have exposed shoulders for that
matter). Bring only a pair or two of shorts, and make sure that you have other light
weight options for hot weather.
Basics – Bring enough socks and underwear to last for every day of the
trip (up to two weeks) so that you will not need to do laundry. For longer trips,
understand that you will likely need to do laundry on the road if you do not want to
bring ridiculous amounts of luggage. As far as shirts, pants, skirts, and the rest…
Bring clothes that could be worn during the day or at night, and as a general rule
bring half as many items as you have days. Wearing items twice should be no
problem, and you will significantly lighten your load.
Rolling – To avoid wrinkles and use your precious packing area to the
max, fold your clothes in half (in the long direction), then roll as smoothly and
tightly as possible. When you arrive at your destination, your clothes will unroll
wrinkle-free. Stuff socks and underwear into your shoes and carefully place the
shoes on top of the rows or rolled clothes.
Toiletries – Bring all of your toiletries in travel size containers. Full size
shampoo bottles add unneeded weight to your pack. After selecting your toiletries,
place all items into zip-lock bags. If a bottle bursts during travel, you will be much
relieved to have the protection. If you are bringing make-up, keep it to the bare
necessities, avoid bringing extras like eyelash curlers. Any prescription medication
should be accompanied by the actual prescription and if possible, a note from your
physician. Keep the medication, as well as your toothbrush and toothpaste in your
carry-on, just in case your luggage is lost.
If you follow these basic packing rules, you will find that the process of packing and
carrying your luggage will be much easier. Additionally, you will be able to enjoy
your travels much easier knowing that you have brought what you need, but can still
carry the load.
Enjoy your trip (and your packing!)!
By: Michelle Linden
