Saizan’s Travels, LLC — Second thoughts? | Travel Research Online

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Saizan’s Travels, LLC — Second thoughts?

This is a robust fall for travel, but not for bookings.  This spring I made a lot of bookings that are traveling now.  At least I know money is coming in.   Unfortunately there are few bookings being made now for the future.  One day at a time.  One foot in front of the other.  Patience is a virtue.  

My time is being spend mentoring new agents and creating websites.  My website development skills are really getting good.  Now, is that a good thing or a bad thing?  I’m getting good at website development because sales are down.  Since my primary source of income is travel sales that is bad.  But, I am learning a new skill that I can sell.  That is good.  I love the travel industry so perhaps I should take the plunge and create websites for travel agents.

How do I hang out my shingle for travel website development?  Right now I am working on two sites:  http://www.myvacationexpert.com and http://www.allinclusivevacationsonly.com.  They are both a work in progress.  Each was started on September 26, 2009.

Back to travel sales.  Leads trickle in.  People have a hard time committing.  There was one family that I gave a wonderful quote to for a 7 night all inclusive vacation.  I told them the price is subject to change and to put a deposit down as soon as possible to secure the price.  They waited.  Two weeks later they give me a call and want to book the vacation.  The price increased by $500 total because the original (and cheaper) flight was sold out.  I am told there is “no way” the price could increase that much and I low balled the price to get them “on the hook.”

Then there are the times that make me smile.  Clients returning from their trip who tell me of the wonderful time they had, how smoothly everything went, and how they’ll recommend me to all their family and friends.

In the end, the positive outweighs the negative.  Until next month, happy selling!

Pat Saizan, ACC, CTC owns Saizan’s Travel based in Altamonte Springs, FL (a home based agency hosted by Travel Planners International).  For more information, you can contact Pat at Pat@SaizansTravel.com.

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