Mistakes to avoid when planning your vacation

There a many little things that can cause problems when planning your vacation. You've decided that you're ready to go, somewhere, and start thinking about where you'd like to visit.

• Make sure you have an honest budget. Decide how much you are willing to spend, but be prepared for the extra incidentals. The cost of a cruise does not always include food and drinks on board, or shore excursions, flights, and transfers. Make sure you allow for souvenirs and gifts. Vacations at resorts may mean paying additional fees for diving or fishing trips or other activities.


• Be prepared for the amount of time it may take you to get to your destination. Long flights are physically stressful, and jet lag can eat into your travel days.


• Be flexible while making your plans. You may be able to get better pricing if you can fly at night, or change your dates by a day or two. Planning for pre or post cruise dates can give you extra time in case of flight delays or other unexpected problems.


• Buy Cancellation insurance. You never know when an illness or job loss may force you to cancel your travel plans. Having insurance will guarantee that you don't lose your investment.


• Don't over pack. Take 1/2 of what you think you're going to need. Especially with today's luggage restrictions. And you want to leave room to bring home items you may purchase.


• Pay attention to the details. Make sure you check the dates on your passport to make sure it is valid for at least 6 months after your return. Check if you need visas. Read all your travel documents when your receive them. Waiting to check your documents until the last minute can cause serious problems if there are mistakes in spelling, or dates, or flights.


• Use a qualified travel consultant. A travel consultant can help you plan for all the details and make sure you are using reputable tour operators, or rental car companies, or help choose the cruise line that is the right one for your needs, and will know if there are problems with a hotel or resort property. Travel consultants are able to check for the best prices, new offers, and make suggestions you may not have thought of, and can keep your vacation on budget.

One quick tip...when traveling in Europe, do not tip more than 10%. That is all that is expected, and Americans tend to tip 15-20%. You don't have to.

Much thanks to @GMarketingGuy for todays blog idea!

Use caution when traveling

http://tinyurl.com/28txe2- Link to US Department of State Travel Warning to Mexico.

I was thinking of the above warning the State Department has issued for travel to Mexico, and realized that it's almost unfair to issue this particular warning. Most of Mexico is safe. And beautiful, and relaxing. There are small pockets that are dangerous, and just as in any US city, you wouldn't want to go there. But the government must issue these warnings. Just as they have for Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Mauritius and other destinations. We at Post Haste Travel have clients visiting all these places right now. Yes, including Iran and Iraq. They are a very adventurous group, and make a point of seeing all of the world, good and bad. Now, you may not be that brave, but it does make the point that if you are careful, and have good tour guides and good tour companies smoothing the way, that you really can go anywhere. So think about how badly you want to see the world and what you are willing to do for that opportunity. Remember to avoid dangerous locations, no matter where they are. There are parts of Miami I wouldn't venture into. Use the internet to plan your visit, or call us for suggestions and reservations with top rate, secure travel suppliers. Happy trails!

Travel related emails

From Hotelmarketing.com 2/23/09

My question today is are you willing to accept travel marketing meails? If not, why? Please comment.

In a nationwide survey of permission-based email recipients, 63 percent said they were more likely to buy from the sending companies, and 55 percent said they have a more favorable opinion of those companies as a direct result of the communications, according to the latest Epsilon research. Fifty percent also said they feel more loyal towards the sending companies and their brands.
“In the travel industry where so much activity has moved to the online arena, it’s crucial that companies communicate effectively and efficiently with their customers and cater to their personal needs,” said Kevin Mabley, senior vice president, Epsilon Strategic Services. “Our research demonstrates the many online and offline, measurable and immeasurable benefits of email marketing campaigns. Those benefits start with direct online airline ticket and hotel reservation transactions and extend to brand loyalty in multiple channels.”
Epsilon’s email branding study is based on a mid-October 2008 survey of 1517 consumers. The survey was conducted by ROI Research, of Lancaster, PA. It explored the general impact of permission-based email marketing as well as specific product categories that included, in addition to Travel, Financial Services, Retail, Consumer Packaged Goods, and Pharmaceuticals-Healthcare.
Other results:
- 86 percent of respondents who opt to receive email from travel companies do so to learn about sales, discounts and special offers; - 51 percent subscribe to learn about existing packages and destinations; - 48 percent subscribe to receive coupons; - 46 percent subscribe to hear about new packages, routes and destinations; - 69 percent want to receive personalized content based on their website activity and past purchases, rather than generic content; - 48 percent of respondents who receive permission-based email from a travel company said the email has a direct impact on offline purchases.
The findings showed that 71% of recipients of an email from a travel company visit an aggregator site as a direct result of receiving the email; 33% type or copy a URL directly into their browser and 14% contact a travel agent.

Closer to Home

Today's blog is linked to an article in USA today about traveling closer to home. many smaller cities around the country are benefiting from the downturn in the economy, attracting visitors to their unique offerings. Sanibel Island, FL is a great place to hang out on the beach and collect shells. Philadelphia has a wealth of history and just outside of the city some wonderful countryside. Charleston, SC has beautiful antebellum homes and gardens, and a haunted house tour by horse and buggy. Read the attach article to find out more.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2009-02-18-travel-trends_N.htm

Travel Insurance

It is imperative that you purchase travel insurance for any trip you have significant money invested. That could be a short weekend holiday, a cruise, or in a new development, a weekend flight. Jet Blue has announced that they will refund your money if you lose your job and have to cancel your trip. Many travel insurance companies have policies that allow you to cancel for business reasons, or any reason at all. Those policies are a bit more expensive, but are crucial if you have any doubts or concerns about your plans. You get your money back, less the cost of the insurance, no matter what reason you need to cancel. Other insurance plans cover for basic medical, including pre-existing conditions, catastrophic medical and other reasons. Some insurance covers for natural and human made disasters. During hurricane season it is important to buy coverage if you are taking a cruise in the Caribbean. In many cases, children are covered for free. You can buy travel insurance through your travel agent even if you bought your airfare and hotels online. There is a difference between the insurance you can purachase through cruise and tour companies and the insurance you purchase through a dedicated insurance seller like your travel agency. Make sure to check with your travel consultant on the many variables available with travel insurance.

Fantasy Travel Quest

Where would you go if you could go anywhere in the world? Let's say you have an unlimited budget, and all the time in the world. I really want to hear from you. Would you take a world cruise? Or an adventure vacation in Costa Rica or the Amazon? Would you find an out of the way resort, maybe in Bali, and just sit on the beach and drink cocktails all day? Maybe a fishing safari? Or an African Safari...walking with gorillas? How about horseback riding in the Serengeti? Or horseback riding across Ireland? Perhaps the Grand Tour in Europe. A river cruise? Camping in the Canadian Rockies in a 5 star tented resort? Where would you go and what would you do? Archaelogy interests you? Art and music? Wine and Food? I'd love to know what type of travel gift you would give to yourself and/or your family. Me personally, I've always wanted to do a pub crawl in Ireland and go horseback riding in Scotland. In the winter. In the cold. That way the good whiskey would really keep me warm! I might try to do that this year. And if I can't go when it's cold, the Garden Route in Ireland is supposed to be fabulous, if you're into that kind of thing. The Chelsea Flower show sounds great too...with a week or two to travel around England and visit castles. Let me know what your travel fantasy is...

Where do you go next?

If you haven't had a vacation, or even a short break, lately, the big question is where do you go next? Assuming you have less money to spend than perhaps last year, it might be too easy to tell yourself to just stay put. But we humans need to get outside of ourselves, to get away from our daily routines, in order to keep a clear vision of what our daily lives are really all about. You owe it to yourself, and your family, to take that break, long or short, to stay healthy and happy. So, where to go next? If your time frame and finances only allow a short break, there are 3 and 4 day cruises available now for tiny amounts of money. Some cruises are covering your cost of airfare, along with 2 for 1 fares, that make a week long cruise truly affordable. Most of your local (within 200 miles) resorts or spas have lowered their rates, or added additional days and amenities. If you can travel farther, your options are greater, again with special rates, added amenities, additional days at no charge. The Euro is now much more affordable and tours throughout Europe have become a bargain again. Airfare is still tricky, but good fares can be found. Try to find somewhere to go that will let you get completely out of your normal routines. Make sure to take lots of photos. Bring back a few souvenirs. Start to plan your next vacation even before you get back from this one. Actually, dream on a 5 year travel plan. There are so many places to see in the world, and planning for the future is a pleasure in itself. Your travel agent is priceless for getting information about what's going to be the next hot spot, or travel value. Don't be afraid to ask.

From the LA Times-How to find a travel consultant

So how do you find the right person or agency to plan your trip? Here are 10 questions to ask before booking:
Why should I use a travel agent instead of the Internet? Doing your own checks of websites for flights and hotels can be educational, but it's also time-consuming and can be risky business. You've worked hard to earn the money you'll spend on a vacation; you don't want to end up staying at a destination or hotel that doesn't match your vacation goals. A good agent will be able to tell you why you should turn your travel planning over to a professional.
What are your rates? Some agents charge service or planning fees for their work. You need to know up front about these fees and commissions: Have the agent spell it out for you.
What will I get for my money? Travel agents have access to the same deals you find on the Internet, but they often also know about cheap fares, hotel deals and other travel perks that average consumers cannot get on their own. They should also tell you they'll back you up if you have problems on the trip.
How long have you been a travel agent? Experience counts. An agent who knows how to work the system can score better deals for you and give you more relevant advice. They can save you time, prevent travel mistakes and help you get the most value for your money. And if you're planning a complex trip, they can be an indispensable resource.
"People are entrusting not only their time to us, but also lots of money," "They deserve to know something about us and how long we've been in business."
Do you have any specialties? Make sure your agent is a good match for you. If you find an agent who specializes in the type of trip, cruise or tour you want to take, he or she will help you have a better experience. "It's like finding the best doctor," They all have degrees and have graduated from great medical schools, but some are more skilled in certain areas," Those are the people you want to find."
Have you been there? "You don't want an agent who's just a salesman," she said. "You don't travel to a place just to see the inside of a hotel. You need to find someone who knows the hotels, the restaurants and the activities that are available. They can say to you, 'Drive here and you can have a great ice cream."
Do you have a special association with airlines or other travel providers? "Sometimes that means we can find lower fares for our clients," Other agencies may belong to associations or groups that make special perks available to them. They may be able to get you better seats, upgrades, express check-in or discounts on parking.
Are you registered to sell travel where required?Some states require all sellers of travel to register with the attorney general's office and to display the number on all advertising. Although not assuring that the company is reputable, a valid registration signals that the seller of travel has at least followed the law to be registered. Another good thing to find out: Does the agency belong to professional organizations, such as ASTA, or Virtuoso,which promote ethical business practices?
Can you give me specifics? Ask what services will be provided. If you're traveling domestically, you want your agent to find you the best connections and the best value; you may also want him to change or cancel a flight for you. If you're going abroad, you may need to know how to get a visa or where to change money. Ask about insurance. Ask the agent to give you specifics about how she can help with your trip.
What questions would you like to ask me? The agent should get to know your travel preferences. "Do you want a large-ship experience or do you like small ships? Are you watching your budget? Will there be children along?" Finding a good agent was like finding a good barber. "Once you've found one," he said, "you keep going back again and again. That's how I want clients to view us."

Working harder for you

I excerpted some of this from Hal Becker at Biz Journals.....
Two things that are for sure:
1. The economy eventually will improve and get better.
2. Most companies rely on salespeople to help with the bottom line. Continuing sales of a product or service for an organization, along with great salespeople, will be needed even more during these tough times. Which means your travel agent is even more important these days.
The first thing, which is of the utmost importance, is you, the customer.
This is the time to protect our customer base and make sure that you are satisfied, period!
The one way to do this is to get in touch with you. We want to build relationships with you and build them the way they are supposed to be built - by people dealing directly with people!
We need to ask you a simple and direct question: "How are we doing for you? Be honest, and tell me the truth." We are going to have to work harder. This means not only visiting existing customers and checking their true level of customer satisfaction but also going out and getting new business. Sure, the economy is slow, and none of us are buying as much of anything as we did a few years ago, but the fact remains that there is still business being done out here. And there are still plenty of places you can afford to go. But I would like to hear from you...great service stories and horror stories alike. What can Post Haste Travel, and Forever Cruising do for you to make your next travel experience exceptional? Let me know.

Travel close to home

"People are continuing to plan vacations despite the economic downturn, but they are searching for deals and staying a bit closer to home, according to travel agents in Arizona. "People are a little tighter to the pocket right now," said Brian Korgel, AAA Arizona international travel agent. "They're still planning on traveling, but they're waiting a little while before they make their reservations. One other trend is people are really looking at value when it comes to travel right now." East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.)" So as you can see, there is no real reason to not take some time to get away for that much needed break. Take a brief respite from daily life on a long weekend close to home, no matter where that may be. If you're snowed in, find a wonderful little lodge with a fireplace and all services taken care of for you so you can enjoy the snow instead of dread it. If you're tired of the dry air and heat in South Florida , take a few hours drive to the west coast and enjoy a fishing village with all the fresh seafood that implies. There are so many ways to sneak off for a bit and not destroy your budget. don't forget to bring the kids, they could use a change too. Just make sure they bring their homework!