Why Use A Travel Agent? A key reason is knowing WHEN TO TRAVEL.
 
Many places have high demand and off peak or shoulder seasons.  Determining when these periods fall and lining them up to your trip can make a huge difference in your individual experience.  

There are several factors that I ask my clients to consider -

School schedules and holidays – these range from country to country and breaks can be at different times in different regions.  Some countries even stagger their school holidays to help with their own tourism within certain areas. High peak times are busier and tend to be more expensive.

Weather can have a major impact on the time of year to visit. While there is never any guarantee with Mother Nature – there are patterns and typical weather patterns expected within certain seasons. When is hurricane or monsoon season? Are water levels on rivers higher or lower at different times and does the area you want to visit have a regular rainy or severely hot season? Depending on your plans for your vacation, weather can provide you with a great or a not so great environment.

Additionally, religious or cultural holidays can influence how you spend your time away. Some significant sites are closed while holidays are observed while other locations may have special festivals or events that can enhance your experience or draw significant crowds. I help you to understand possible limitations or opportunities and this helps manage expectations accordingly.

Don't choose the wrong time to travel - work with a specialist while planning your holiday to ensure a memorable experience.

I invite you to connect with me in the manner of your choice:
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Or if you would like to receive tips and travel advice sign up on my email list. Click here
 
Be sure to tune in next week for a new video in my series about TRUSTING YOUR VACATION INVESTMENT TO A PROFESSIONAL.

Why Use A Travel Agent? One key reason is to have PEACE OF MIND.
 
Have you ever had anything not go as planned on a vacation? Having that peace of mind that your agent is available to handle things for you is extremely important. Booking through a website does not ensure you will have someone to talk to should something need to be changed or fixed from a far-away destination.  Cancelled or delayed flights, last minute tour cancellations or weather issues – they can all happen at any time.  

An example of how an agent can help you on the ground was when clients called saying their flight was delayed and they didn't think they were going to make their ship departure. By the time their flight landed the cruise line had already been contacted, a hotel reservation made and the flight was in place to get them to their first port of call. While it wasn't the ideal situation, it was managed for them and was essentially stress free.

You never anticipate interruptions to your vacation plans but this way you know you have me at home – and trust me I care. Rest assured I am invested in my clients' happiness and satisfaction and I want to make sure each and every trip is packed full of positive lifelong memories.
 
Another thing to consider is knowing that your agent has booked what you asked for. Travel has become more complicated than ever – so many times people are unsure about what exactly they are purchasing since they didn’t take the time to read the fine print.  Unbundled airfares with so many new options can cause major confusion and disappointment when it comes time to travel and you have to pay for seat selection or luggage fees all at an extra cost. And cruising is also more challenging now – with dozens of new ships coming out I can help you sort through all the cruise lines with a multitude of cabin categories and so many different rate codes, refundable vs. non-refundable rates, guaranteed cabins vs. cabins with free perks. When the rules change, as your agent, I am uniquely positioned to provide vital advice. I help people find the best offer based on what’s most important to them - when you know someone is looking out for you it makes all the difference in the world.

I invite you to connect with me in the manner of your choice:
Like my page on Facebook
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Or if you would like to receive tips and travel advice sign up on my email list. Click here
 
Be sure to tune in next week for a new video in my series about TIMING.
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CUSTOMIZATION More and more I am hearing from my clients that they want something customized for them. Fortunately, I specialize in creating a customized, personal vacation specifically tailored to your needs. I work with vendors that are destination specialists entrusting you to the best of the best. 
 
You can ask my clients - I take a very individualized approach with each person I work with. Here is a short testimonial from a current client:

"I highly recommend Kim for all your travel needs. Her knowledge and expertise is a huge asset when planning your next vacation. She will always give you the pros and cons on your holiday options and will work with you to ensure you've made the right choice. She's always available to answer any questions you may have. But most importantly is her follow up skills before, during and after your vacation. She guides you through the entire process. I wouldn't book my travel with anyone else."

I spend time asking you questions about your priorities for your holiday, your preferences and what you like to do while you are away. Then based on your interests, your wish list and your budget, I create a solution that is perfect for you. This can include private tour options, small group tours or be combined with other available package solutions such as cruises or existing tours combined with pre and post stays, that meet your individual requirements. 
 
Think about it…all this personal service from a live human being is something that you can’t possibly receive from a static online website! This is yet another reason to consider working with an agent.
 
I invite you to connect with me in the manner of your choice:
Like my page on Facebook
Subscribe to my YouTube channel
Or if you would like to receive tips and travel advice sign up on my email list. Click here
 
Be sure to tune in next week for a new video in my series about my favourite topic – SAVINGS!