Since my last article, not a whole lot has happened. That’s probably good news, I suppose.
We will be heading into our busiest season with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break approaching. We have already seen some requests trickling in.
There has been a “last minute” trend this year, and I hope that clients are not waiting until the last minute to try to book holiday travel. Their options will be very limited and the prices will be astronomical.
In the midst of this busy time of the year, Apple Vacations will be transitioning to their new system. The system is very different from their old system, and we have not had much luck using it for quoting trips for actual clients (especially with scheduled air packages). Hopefully, the final transition will be a smooth one and they will have all of the kinks worked out. Good technology is critical in our business.
Our Marketing Manager is busy preparing for the annual Cary Travel Express Show in January. This is always a huge hit with our existing clients; and historically, it has generated new business for us as well. It has been a huge success and a great investment!
Naturally, this time of year finds us busy with vendor visits, trade shows, and tourism events. Sometimes it is overwhelming to juggle our client requests, learning opportunities, and personal lives. We need to keep up with the industry and the learning opportunities to be successful, and it often bleeds over into our personal lives. There are many times when I will receive an e-mail or phone call at home regarding a trip; or I have to pass on a family dinner to attend a supplier dinner to learn about a hotel or destination. Many people inquire about being a travel agent because they think it is a “fun and glamorous” job. You have to really be passionate about traveling to be able to juggle all that we have to juggle– and still keep your sanity.
This year is quickly coming to an end, and we will have new goals and new opportunities to look forward to. Do you have any goals for the new year?
Mary Jo Babiarz, Senior Travel Consultant with Cary Travel Express, has been in the travel business since 2005. Her love of travel has taken her to destinations such as Hawaii, many Caribbean islands, several Mediterranean port cities, and lots of Mexican vacation destinations. She is particularly knowledgeable about the Riviera Maya and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, but has extended knowledge in the Caribbean as well. An avid photographer, Mary Jo is known to thrill her clients with her first hand photos. You can reach Mary Jo at Cary Travel Express or by email atmaryjo@carytravelexpress.com.
