What Makes an Expert...

My post today is about... what makes an expert, and who should you contact for advice? With so many resources available today, it's no wonder people end up with "information overload"!

Recently I read an article in a valid, popular and very respected publication! (That many travelers read for researching their own vacations.) Now someone was allowed to publish an article advising travelers what they should "do" while in Hawaii! Okay~ except the next line really got me angry... "I have been to Hawaii five times now!" WHAT??? She had been to Hawaii five times; not this year, not in the past two years! Just five times... period!

I found this disrespectful and completely unworthy of further consideration! Why would this respected publication allow, promote even, the words of someone who has only visited Hawaii five times? As a Master Hawaii Specialist (Certified by the Hawaii Visitors Bureau) I go to the islands four-five times a YEAR. I do not believe anyone has the right to advise visitors what to see or do with so little experience! I honor my certification and continued education with regular visits to the Islands. It's the only way to stay in touch and current with everything, and all that is going on in Hawaii today!

If you are planning a visit to Hawaii wouldn't you want advice from an expert, someone who visits often and regularly? Reading different sources these days is after all what people do in planning their vacations. Most of the time I would hope people would read publications like this one. But this person was no "expert" and should not have been validated by being published!

Your vacation is important! But not only to you! I have been planning every detail of my guests' vacations for a very long time. I have earned their trust and continue to do so. If you are willing to seek out the "expertise" of someone on a particular destination, make sure they are worthy of your time and money!

Things you should ask; how long have you been in business? Have you been there, and when was the last time? Allow the Travel Advisor some time. But I can assure you; all of the people I talk with feel my passion and expertise within minutes! You will know... just do not ever assume!

But my final thought/recommendation; never hesitate to contact a Travel Advisor, there is a reason why we are still here! Most of the time you pay no additional fees, and you will always get the best "deals", often saving money, and always saving time! Go ahead and do your research, and get an idea of your destination and what you want to do. But then seek out the expertise of a true travel expert!