Welcome to 2010!
So 2009 is a memory, and 2010 is here, along with endless new possibilities! It's very hard after such a difficult year, not to reflect. But that often leads to dwelling on things that were less then "positive"! I for one, have chosen to think of what could be!
I think many of us in the travel industry do see a bit of an "up swing"! More people are at least thinking about a vacation again, and making inquiries. The concept of "cautious optimism", is definitely out there!
As a vacation specialist and someone with seventeen years of experience... "value"! That is for sure what people need to recognize and take advantage of today! Rates are still exceptional. Are the resorts, and hotels, and wholesalers, giving it away? No, absolutely not. But for those people who are willing to acknowledge how much more they are getting for their vacation dollars, there is much to be happy about!
I recently was honored with an opportunity of potentially huge results for DreamCatcher! A full television interview by our local NBC affiliate here in Northern California! The producer asked at one point; "Do you think people are still shopping, or are they returning to the travel agencies?" My answer was very swift... both! The very savvy "shopper", I believe, recognizes both are a benefit! They do the research, and then call the professional! A truly talented and experienced travel consultant does not see this as a threat! But in fact expects it from people today! She then suggested a "challenge". Asked me to put together a complete vacation package with pricing, she would go to the internet and do the same. Which one of us would do better? I am very happy to say (and she did concede!) that my expertise delivered the far better result, and in less time! She also had to admit that all she had to do was follow my lead! I delivered the entire package first, and she only duplicated my work.
Value... it's about so much more then the total dollars! It's about being taken care of... and not being taken! Travel Professionals do have a great reason to "be here", and you should take advantage of their expertise! Those of us still in this industry are here because we truly love what we do! I for one, call it passion! Wanting to take my years of experience, and love for destinations like HAWAII, and Disney Parks & Resorts... and provide you with all the memories!
Make 2010 a great one! Allow a professional travel consultant to help you... just making my point.
