After what seems to be endless months of social distancing, travel advisors are packing up to hit the road once again. The reason for such an action, however, isn’t simply wanderlust – but rather the opportunity to properly counsel clients on what it’s like to travel again.
“We need to lead by example,” noted Cal Cheney of Bucket List Travel & Tours. “Travelling is a personal decision, but if we show our clients that we are not afraid to travel anymore, isn’t that a healthy step?” he asked.
Similarly, Claire Schoeder of Elevations Travel, a Signature Travel Network agency, said that “traveling after the pandemic, is important because it will show clients that we are not worried about traveling.”
For her part, Holly Lombardo of Classic Travel Advisors hopes to join a cruise FAM when there is one available. “I feel it is important to calm down the public and tell them that the sun did not fall from the sky and you can cruise again,” she said. “It’s going to be important to the traveling public to hear from those who are traveling and who better to be the news bearer but us travel agents!”
Sarah Kline of Time for Travel, at Press Time, was on her way to Riviera Maya, Cancun, and Playa Mujeres for an 11-day stay. “Since the rebound of tourism seems to be strong in this area, I’m ready to go. I want to show my clients that people are traveling with safety protocols.”
In all, Kline will be staying at four different resorts and will check them out as she and plans to visit multiple others. “The range of resorts will be from brand-new to old favorites.” Kline also has several pleasure trips planned, including a sailing trip with a local company and another to a new waterpark.
“I think showing my clients and also other people that I will travel – and that I am bringing my family along – shows that it’s okay to resume normal life,” she mentioned.
James Berglie of Be All-Inclusive couldn’t agree more. He advocates the travel advisors to get back out there. “No one can trust the advice of an arm-chair quarterback. For your clients, you need to get out there and experience travel,” he said.
