Travel Planning Tips
At Leck Travel Service we understand how hard it may be to not only decide the date and location of your next vacation, but also all the details of how to get ready and what to do while you’re traveling. (Traveling internationally? See International Travel Tips.)
That’s why we make it our mission to provide you as much information as possible as well as a continuous communication link to our professionals enabling you to share your dreams and best hopes for the kind of vacation that you expect.
Imagine arriving at a "first class" European hotel only to discover it's actually very ordinary and not at all luxurious. Most consumers, especially those booking via a hotel's website, are unaware that, in much of the world, a first class rating may actually mean “average”. What if you booked a second honeymoon on your favorite cruise lines, but when you arrived you found out that your fellow cruise passengers are 2,000 boisterous salesmen traveling on a rewards vacation for exceeding their quotas?
Had you been privy to this information prior to booking your trip, you probably would have selected a different category of hotel or changed your cruise dates. A seasoned travel professional can provide you this insider information. But, most importantly, the travel professional can be the key to make certain your expensive vacation turns into a personalized and positive experience.
The Travel Institute provides the following tips to help ensure a personalized vacation planning experience and great service from a travel professional:
1. Plan ahead. When booking airline tickets, cruise packages and hotel accommodations; the earlier you start, the better, especially if you are planning a vacation during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holiday seasons. Booking holiday travel 4 to 6 months out will better your chances of having the best options and price selections.
2. Check your travel agent's background. Check for the CTC (Certified Travel Counselor), CTA (Certified Travel Associate) or DS (Destination Specialist) professional certifications. Typically, certified agents proudly display their credentials on business cards, advertisements, in storefront windows or the yellow pages. Otherwise, just call and ask. At Leck Travel Service, all of our professionals are experienced and have earned various levels of certifications. The CTC certification is the travel industry's highest level of professional achievement. It is granted to professionals with at least five years of travel experience and who have completed a rigorous academic study program and exam, assuring travelers they are dealing with the travel industry's most knowledgeable and reputable professional. Travelers can also visit www.thetravelinstitute.com and click on "Find a Travel Professional" to locate a certified professional in their area.
3. Think of your agent as an "information sifter." Become an educated consumer by reading guidebooks, travel magazines and surfing travel websites. A good place to start is the website of the destination's Convention and Visitors Bureau. Present your findings to your travel agent who can use experience and knowledge to help you sift through the information to locate options that are best suited to your budget and taste. Many times, especially if they are certified Destination Specialists, travel professionals can make invaluable recommendations based on their own personal experiences.
4. Describe the people you would most like to meet while traveling. Consider how the other travelers on a cruise or tour, or even the other guests staying at a hotel, could have a major impact on your vacation. After all, a young honeymooning couple would probably be disappointed staying at a family resort or one that caters to mature travelers and vice versa. A travel agent can provide the "insider" knowledge (i.e. a general profile) of other travelers you are most likely to encounter on your trip and can match your personal interests and goals to a vacation that feels most comfortable. And, thanks to their industry contacts, travel agents are often able to determine if a particular cruise or hotel might be hosting a special group or corporate gathering during your chosen vacation time.
5. Openly discuss your vacation budget. Are luxury accommodations or excursions and fine dining a priority? To help you arrange a truly great vacation, your agent needs to know what you can and cannot afford. Best of all, they can help you get the biggest bang for your buck with accommodations and activities suited your style and price range.
6. Provide details on travel partners. Your idea of a vacation is relaxing by the beach, while your significant other would rather be exploring all the hottest attractions------nonstop! Sounds like a travel planning nightmare? It shouldn't be. If you clue-in your agent on the likes, dislikes, personalities and styles of each member of your traveling party, your agent can suggest destinations, options and activities to suit everyone's needs and tastes.
With Leck Travel Service, you can be confident that information you provide us is held as private and will not be shared, even with other travelers with you, unless you give us permission to do so. Contact one of our professionals today and we’ll help you put together the vacation experience of a life time!
Leck Travel Services is a leading travel agency in Fort Worth, Texas
with global connections to meet today's complicated travel service needs.