Why choose me over any other Personal Travel Consultant or Travel Agent?

Julie @ Worldwide - Explorer Travel Holidays
Sep 27, 2023
4 min read

Choosing someone to look after your holiday booking is an important decision, and my clients often look for specific qualities and advantages when making their choice.

Here are some reasons why my clients choose me over any other Personal Travel Consultant: Sustainability Specialist offering Responsible Travel In 2023, I was hand-picked by TTG (Travel Trade Gazette) and Kiwano to be a Sustainable Travel Ambassador for both of them. I promote sustainable and responsible travel practices, and I have a range of suppliers whom I can use to build sustainable holiday options. Many travellers (81% - source: Statista, 2023) are increasingly conscious of their impact on the environment and local communities, so this is now a key quality that my clients look for. As well as building sustainable and responsible practices into the day-to-day running of my business, I also use sustainable travel suppliers, including world-leading sustainable travel brands such as Iberostar Group, Hurtigruten, Intrepid, G-Adventures, and Avis, and I promote sustainable destinations such as Greece, Costa Rica and Scotland. For every booking that departs, I make a donation to one of my charity partners (The Future Forest Company and Wild & Free - Rehabilitation and Release) to support an animal conservation or environmental project, and I also provide sponsorship and donations to local charities and projects. I have signed the Glasgow Declaration and I actively strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in all areas of my business.

Passion for Travel I have a passion for travel. I've been travelling since I was a young child and I find nothing is more enriching than seeing a new destination, experiencing different ways of life, and spending time with people from different cultures and backgrounds. I personally want to experience as much of the world as possible with my family, and I hold the same desire for my clients. Expertise I have travelled to countless destinations worldwide, giving me first-hand experience. I attend regular industry-based training, which gives me valuable insight into current travel trends and insider tips. I have qualifications and experience within the travel sector dating back to the 1990s, as well as up-to-date travel-related qualifications. Clients often choose me because I can provide valuable insights and recommendations as a result of my extensive travel expertise. Free Personalised Service and Attention to Detail I am committed to tailoring travel experiences to my client's specific preferences and needs. I can create customised itineraries that match their interests, cost-effective options that align with their budgets, and itineraries that fit with their schedules, as well as offering off-the-shelf package holidays with sustainability built in. I provide my clients with value for money. I offer meticulous attention to detail when planning trips, thoroughly researching them and dedicating time to the planning process, to ensure that every aspect of the journey is carefully considered.

Availability and Responsiveness Although I have fixed hours for my normal working day, I am available for my clients around the clock (unlike many high street travel agencies and online agencies), which really provides my clients with the convenience they need to benefit from my personalised service. They know they will always get a fast response to any communication. When I am away on my own holidays, I ensure a customer support team is available to look after any clients with imminent departures, as well as clients who are already on holiday, so you are never alone.

Added Value As part of Hays Travel, I have hundreds of suppliers, partnerships, and affiliations that allow me to offer exclusive deals, upgrades, or discounts that clients can't find elsewhere. Every holiday booking benefits from added value of some kind. I also have strong relationships with airlines, hotels, tour operators, and other travel industry players, who are very willing to do their best for my clients.

Time-Saving I can save my clients time by handling all the logistics, including booking flights, accommodations, activities, transportation, and a variety of holiday extras. I also do all of the reconfirmation of bookings, updates on any changes to travel legislation, and distribute travel documents.

Safety and Security I am dedicated to ensuring my clients' safety during their travels and security regarding their booking. To mitigate risks and provide peace of mind, I always check the current FCDO guidance for a destination before making a booking, and I keep a close eye on updates. When something goes wrong (e.g. natural disasters, political situations, etc), my clients in destination become my first priority, and I work alongside tour operators and other industry bodies to ensure their immediate safety and security. I am also ABTA bonded, and flight-inclusive packages also benefit from ATOL protection, both of which give that additional peace of mind. As an appointed representative of Rush Insurance, I can also provide clients with a comprehensive travel insurance policy. In terms of data, I abide by GDPR, so your data is always stored securely and only shared with necessary organisations (e.g. the tour operator or airline). Your holiday enquiry and booking are always treated in confidence, and surprise bookings can be arranged.

Flexible Payment Options I offer flexible payment plans to make it easier for clients to afford their dream holidays. Direct Debit options help to spread the cost, with an extended balance due date to help with budgeting, and automatic debits to make life easy. Customer Reviews and Testimonials My website and social media pages highlight a range of positive feedback and testimonials from previous clients, showing my credibility. You can see some of them below. My clients trust me with their most expensive annual purchases, and you can too!