My Point of View: The Pied Piper Effect
The more I travel, the more calls and inquiries I get.
Everyone who knows me knows that my passion for exploring the world runs deep. Travel is not just my profession; I think of it as a calling.
When I go on a vacation, it’s not just for leisure but also research and learning experiences. I too need the break from a busy work life, immersing myself into other cultures so after travelling I am refreshed and energized to go back into my office. I'm also better informed about what I recommend to my clients.
I must allocate time each year for personal travel without compromising on client support – most years for approximately two months - 15% of my time. This is a significant amount of time not directly selling travel, yet it is vitally important to my business and my clients.
Much like the professional training I invest in, I like to evolve my practical knowledge of destinations, accommodations, and suppliers. This experience means that I speak with genuine insight and authority.
My clients trust me in part because I'm an experienced traveller. Why would anyone hire a travel agent who doesn't travel?
Before every adventure, I prioritize meeting my existing commitments, which sometimes means limited availability beforehand. Quick questions? Absolutely, I’ll address those. For new inquiries, I kindly ask for your patience until my return.
Rest assured I am always available for my clients who are currently traveling. Their peace of mind and seamless travel experience are my top priorities, so there's no offline mode for that!
If you are a client of mine who is travelling while I am away, you will be prepared beforehand. You will have my contact details including email, text message, WhatsApp and also the TripCase app's chat feature. I always have an experienced colleague on standby to step in and help if I cannot be reached (which is rare).
Travelling always sparks a new influx of inquiries – and that’s just wonderful. It fascinates and excites people as I explore new places, and since the pandemic business remains steady and buzzing. Since inquiries seem to spike just before I travel, I handle what I can, then schedule the follow-up calls for my return.
Tomorrow, I leave again for my latest trip! After a stopover exploring the Frankfurt region and its museums, I embark on a cruise around Norway and Scotland. I love sharing these experiences with you through my newsletter and blog. Keep an eye out for my latest posts from this most recent trip.
My calendar is currently closed until September, so that’s the earliest I can arrange a detailed conversation with you. Please check my calendar for availability and book a meeting.
I will talk to you when I get back!