The Importance of Trust | Travel Research Online

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The Importance of Trust

Trust is the basis of every relationship and in a one-on-one business like travel planning, all the more so. When a client trusts you, they are more likely to use your services repeatedly. Loyalty is founded on trust and will often convince a client to work with you over any alternative. It is trust that induces a client to take your suggestion over their own initial impulse or to try something just because you indicate you think they should. Trust is a powerful motivator for a client.

So how do we build trust into our marketing plan?

Trust with blue markerFirst, understand what trust is. When a client has trust, they possess a belief in your integrity, reliability, honesty and competence. Wow. Those few words indicate a lot about the importance of trust to your client relationships. Companies that have the trust of their clients have more latitude in the risks they can take, the suggestions they can make and their approach to problem solving.

Trust is firstly demonstrated through competence – a mastery of subject matter. This means you know your stuff, but you carry your knowledge with a grace that demonstrates an easy mastery. But by itself, competence is not enough. A trustworthy travel agent also has a commitment to their clients, and the clients know it. In other words, the travel consultant’s mastery of the topic of travel is  applied to the service of the client in a manner so to be immediately observable. The language of the travel agency’s brochures, website and other collateral will speak to the benefits for clients not merely to the features of the agency. Third-party testimonials will back up the travel agent’s own claims. There is integrity in the voice used in the marketing copy, an inherent honesty of expression and is consistent throughout.

Finally, the client is comfortable in the presence and in the hands of the trusted travel consultant. The client will feel empowered, better educated and knowledgeable for having dealt with the travel counselor. Industry jargon will be explained, problems will be anticipated in advance and the client will know that the agent is available in the event of a mishap. The trusted travel agent will have an appropriate degree of empathy and will be capable of understanding the concerns, even the fears, of the traveler and will recommend appropriate steps. A travel agent looking to incorporate trust into their practice will orient every possible aspect of their marketing plan to be client-centric and will recognize every client as an individual – no cookie cutter vacations or travel planning allowed.

Actually, it is almost that simple. To be trusted by your clients, be trustworthy – and demonstrate it at ever point of contact in your practice.

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