Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1190140
1. What exactly does a travel agent do? A travel agent organizes travel for their clients based on their unique needs. Whether it's for corporate travel or leisure travel, we have the resources to get the best value for each client's needs. 2. Everything is on the internet these days, so what are the benefits of working with a travel agent vs. doing it all yourself? Travel agents can offer unique experiences and knowledge, making it easier to plan your next vacation. The internet is a great resource for initial research, but it's even better to have someone who knows the location and takes the time to get to know you so they can really help you customize your trip with things that an algorithm won't pick up. We're also your advocate when travel doesn't go so smoothly. If there's a problem, my clients can call me, and I'll help work out the details and do my best to resolve all issues. With a booking site, you lose the human voice on the other end of the line to help you when flights get canceled or a hurricane comes! 3. Tell us about your favorite time planning a trip for someone. I once had a couple that wanted to travel through Thailand and Cambodia for an entire month. These folks were having so much fun, and every few days, they'd go online and see where else they could travel in that area. Each time they wanted to change course, they'd give me a call! I spent most of my time rebooking their flights, reissuing their tickets, and finding hotels. The work was fun, but challenging because it was always last minute on a day-to-day basis. It ended up being the trip of a lifetime, and I'm happy I was able to assist! Another time, I had a high-end client who wanted to take his wife, son, daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters to Italy. I planned a custom 10-day trip with a private guide, car, and the finest hotels in Rome, Florence, Venice, and Lake Como. Money was no object, and my client wanted the best of everything. The biggest thing on his wish list was a private tour of the Ferrari plant near Florence. Needless to say, this was another trip of a lifetime! These were both fun and challenging experiences that would've been nearly impossible to execute without a travel agent. 4. What's one thing people should know before working with a travel agent? People are surprised to learn that we don't usually charge fees for our services. The only time I charge for my services is if I'm creating a highly- detailed and customized itinerary. While airlines don't pay us to sell their flights, the other suppliers that we sell to our clients— like hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, and tour companies—do! 5. How can you get the most out of a relationship with a travel agent? You should always start by asking what type of experience the agent has. The travel agent should have experience not only booking trips but also traveling themselves. I believe that agents who are passionate about traveling and have a lot of experience are better agents. You should also understand that the agent will do the research on your behalf and present the packages for your consideration. It's very frustrating to do all this work for clients and then have them go and book it online. 6. What do you like most about your job? I love making people's dreams come true! I enjoy discovering and discussing my client's passions and then determining the best destination for them. There's nothing better than putting together a great trip for a client and then having them return home with excellent reviews. 7. Where is your favorite place to travel? What is your dream vacation spot? My favorite place to travel is Bora Bora. It was always my dream destination, and it didn't disappoint! It's the most ruggedly beautiful place I've ever seen. Some of my other favorites are Ireland, Alaska, Istanbul, and the Great Wall of China. My dream vacation spots and activities left on my bucket list are Egypt to see the Great Pyramids, and Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas and go on a safari. Meet Marri Petrucci, a certified travel agent from Columbus, Ohio who recently sat down with us to shed light on the wonderful world of travel. travel agent 7 QUESTIONS WITH A 6