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Common Questions to ask your Travel Agent
Friday, February 17th, 2012 / admin


Your travel agent can be an integral part of planning your vacation, especially when used wisely. A travel agent is an invaluable resource when you have decided to plan a trip. They can help prevent travel complications while at the same time getting you the best value. However, it is important to remember that each travel agent is different. So, to ensure that your travel agent is a good match for your needs, here are some common questions to ask.

Question 1 – What is your specialty?

It is important to know what your travel agent’s specialty is. He or she may specialize in certain destinations or products, such as cruises or adventure tours. You will also want to ask what types of travel your agent specializes in. For example, you would not want to book a trip for a large group with an agent who is not experienced in such services.

Question 2 – What are your fees?

Obviously, you know that you will be compensating your travel agent for his or her time, planning expertise, work, and advice, but knowing the fees upfront is always a good idea. Some travel agents work on commission, some charge a flat rate, and some charge per service. It is also best to be upfront about your travel budget and be clear that your total budget includes travel agent fees.

Question 3 – What are your hours of operation?

You will need to know when your travel agency or agent operates. Be sure to get the toll-free number in case of an emergency as well as an alternate number for after-hours necessities. If your travel agent has email or a website, you will also want to note that information as well.

Question 4 – What happens if something goes wrong?

Sometimes, it is impossible to avoid inconveniences while traveling. Such inconveniences may include a delayed or cancelled flight because of poor weather. Discuss with your travel agent what happens in such circumstances and how he or she responds to these problems. Always be clear on your travel agent’s policies.

Question 5 – Are tickets refundable?

If you’re working with a travel agent, it is likely that you are planning this trip well in advance. In addition to last minute inconveniences that may occur, such as poor weather cancelling a flight, things in your life may change as well. Find out if your trip is refundable, partially refundable, or if a cancellation fee applies. It is also a good idea to check if reservations can be exchanged.

Question 6 – Do you have special relationships with travel suppliers?

Many times, your travel agent will be able to get you a great deal, which may not be available to the general public. Cruise lines, tour companies, and hotels often offer perks such as upgrades, free parking, and other deals to travel agents who have worked with them before. If your agent has this type of influence, take advantage of it!

Question 7 – Have you traveled to my destination?

There is nothing like first-hand knowledge. If your travel agent has traveled to your destination, he or she will be able to speak from experience. A well-traveled agent will be able to make informed recommendations and provide sound advice as opposed to one who has not visited the areas you are considering.

Question 8 – Can I get a better deal if I travel on a different day?

This question is integral to establishing a better deal if your travel dates are somewhat flexible. Remember, even when working with a travel agent, peak travel times and seasons still apply. Let your travel agent know that while your original itinerary is ideal, if there is a better deal to be had, you may consider traveling at a later date.

Question 9 – Where can I learn more about my destination?

In many cases, travel agents will provide customers with information, such as brochures, about your destination. If the brochures are not sufficient enough for you, ask your travel agent where you could do a little more research. He or she should be able to easily point you in the right direction.

Question 10 – Will I need a passport or visa?

If you are not sure if you will need a passport or special visa to travel to your destination, ask your travel agent. If you do need a passport or visa, he or she will also be able to instruct you on how to obtain one.

Question 11 – What questions do you have for me?

Always ask your travel agent if he or she has any questions for you. Travel agents should always ask you a few questions about what you are looking for in a vacation. This is necessary so that they will be able to come up with the best itinerary for your interests and budget.

The best travel agent for the job is one who is willing to work with you, has extensive knowledge, and is receptive to your priorities as a traveler. However, you will need to ask the questions outlined above to get started. Remember, your agent should be more than willing to answer any of these questions, or any others that you may have.

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Jobs That Travel the World – How to Get World Travel Jobs
Thursday, February 16th, 2012 / admin


Wouldn’t it be great to be able to travel around the world and get paid while you do it? With a little creativity and a lot of courage, those who intelligently plan their world travels can make a serious income while living it up in exotic, worldwide locations.

Let’s get into the ‘meat’ of how this can be done.

There are 3 types of travelers. Which one are you?



1) Savers – You get a job, or jobs, in one location, save and save, and when you have enough money and nothing tying you down, you go travel. If you’re reading this article you probably already know you don’t want to have this type of job. So, world travel job type number two is…

2) Traveling job seekers. These are people who seek to land jobs that pay them while they travel. Included are tour and adventure guide jobs, film and writing jobs, flight attendant and airline jobs, medical jobs, military work, and so on. 

You can get one of these jobs following a very simple formula: Apply for a bunch of positions. Send recommendations. Make follow-up calls. Send thank-you cards. Sooner or later, someone is going to ‘bite’ and give you a position.

3) Systems travelers. These people are referred to as the ‘new rich.’ They set up systems using simple (but new) technology to constantly deliver value to other people, for which they get paid over and over again. If that was jibberish to you, don’t worry about it. Let’s go a little more into depth about what, exactly, this type of person does.

Here’s an example of a ‘systems traveler’ at work:

Katie likes training dogs, so she makes some YouTube videos and writes a few 1 page articles about some of the stuff she knows. Her ‘job’ is to help other dog owners train their dogs.

When she puts these resources on the internet for others to benefit from, the people who are serious will click on the links in her articles and videos to get more information.

When they do, Katie sends them to a product she has found online that pays her every time someone buys a product. In this case, she makes $66.46 per sale (the actual amount I make for selling a dog training product). One in twenty people buys the product, so if Katie sends 40 people per day to the product, she makes $132.92 per day.

Getting the idea?

Here’s a hint: 40 people a day in terms of traffic is NOTHING. And once the systems are setup properly, your travel job consists of tons of traveling and not a lot of job. 

Jobs that travel the world are a dime a dozen. The ideal situation is to become a systems traveler with a job that travels the world. In other words, your online system covers all your expenses and more, while your ‘job’ is for fun and anything they pay you is just gravy.

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Travel Tips To European Countries: Holland
Wednesday, January 18th, 2012 / admin

About the Country

The summers are cool here but the winters are severe with some chances of snowfall. Rainfall can be expected in any month of the year. Dutch is the official language here. English, French and German are the other languages that are spoken, out of which English is widely spoken. Incase of emergency call 112.

Culture

Handshake is the commonly practiced form of greeting. Although tipping is not mandatory, but it’s better to pay rounds figure in restaurants and taxis. A humble gift should be taken to the host’s house always when invited for a meal. Informal clothes are worn on a daily basis, but people are expected to turn up in formals at social functions and smart restaurants.

Shopping

Pottery of Delft, Makkum and Workum is a must buy. Silverware from Schoonhoven, crystals from Leerdam and diamonds from Amsterdam are highly recommended.

Site Seeing

Apenheul Primate Park is a place to visit which is a home to more than thirty species of mammals. It remains closed during the winter. De Hoge Veluwe is the oldest and largest park of Holland. Bicycles can be used to explore the 5,500 hectares of the park. Paleis Het Loo is a magnificent Palace surrounded by gardens and remains open year round except on public holidays.

Electricity

230 V and 50 Hz

Travel

The national airline that operates in Holland is KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines. It connects to almost all the major cities of Europe, North America and Asia. Amsterdam Airport is the hub for many international and local flights. It is located at 15 km away from the city and it takes 20 minutes to reach there by train. The Airline, KLM, provides bus service every 15-30 minutes which takes passengers to some of the famous hotels of the city. Public buses can be availed too, to reach destination. Trains connect to Amsterdam’s Central Station and Zuid Station. Taxis take tourists to almost any location. The Airport features duty free shops, banks, showers, business center, baby rooms, and car hire.

Rotterdam airport and Eindhoven airport are 8km away from the city. Trains and buses operate every 15 minutes to transport passengers to their hotels. Facilities such as duty free shops, eateries, car rental, and internet can be availed at these airports. No departure tax is implemented on passengers at any of these airports.

The main sea ports are Hook of Holland, Vlissingen and Rotteradm. Stena Line, P&O ferries and DFDS seaways provide ferry service to get to Holland.

If traveling by railway, Eurostar provides the best service and connects to all the major cities of Europe. It provides high grade services. Good offers are provided on regular basis and to utilize them they should be monitored from time to time. Unused tickets are easily refunded. The Inter-Rail pass can be bought to avail the unlimited second class train travel within 29 European countries.

Top class road network connects Holland to majority of cities in Europe. They are well maintained and signs are posted every where for safe driving. 120kph is the speed limit while driving on highways. Many car dealing agents exist if opting for car-rental. Some of them are Avis, Europcar and Budget.

Cycling is also a major means of transportation in Holland and is part and parcel of daily life. Tourists can hire cycles from the airport or other service providers with some money-deposit.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco

2. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette

3. 1liter of liquor or 2liter of sparkling wine or liquor wines and 2liter of non-sparkling wine

4. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract

5. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract

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Isn’t it time you took a relaxing break?
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 / admin

When you are in need of a getaway, whether it be for a weekend or a couple of weeks, cruising Europe can be just what you’ve been looking for. Take a 12-night Mediterranean cruise through Rome, Naples, Venice, Sicily, Italy, Spain and France. Many other ports will be on your itinerary as well. For a shorter cruise, a 7-night journey through Nice, Naples, Livorno and Civitavecchia would be perfect.

Europe cruises are great for a romantic time for two, or for a family holiday together. The cruise ship itself is half the fun of the cruise. Enjoy fabulous dining while on board. Group activities like games can be plenty of fun, or you can just relax and sunbathe while the kids join in a supervised children’s activity.

Cruising is a great alternative to the usual holiday, whereas you don’t have to keep moving around, packing and unpacking, and trying to find new places to visit while at your destination.  On a cruise you can join in a group excursion at your port, or journey out on your own to explore what the city has to offer.

Live shows aboard the ship are entertaining and usually different each night so you won’t have to get bored watching the same thing over and over. Casinos are aboard most ships, so you can have some fun trying your luck.

Some port stops will be too short to see all you want, but others will be longer than you like. If you’ve seen all there is to see, head back to your ship and hop into the jacuzzi or relax in the spa while you wait to depart.

There are many different options to decide on when you pick a cruise, such as where you would like your room, what dining options you want to include, whether they have special children’s activities if you have kids, or if there is a special couple’s package you might like to check out.

Planning a cruise around Europe can be as exciting as the cruise itself. See which ports your cruise stops at and be sure to see all the sights you can.

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Travel System Strollers
Friday, January 06th, 2012 / admin
Travel system strollers consist of a full size standard stroller, matching infant car seat and car seat anchor. The stroller and car seat mechanically fit each other perfectly, have matching patterns and material as well.

Travel system strollers are ideal for new parents who want to buy all of their baby travel gear in one shot. They offer the peace of mind that everything will work together and look good together as well.

The best feature about travel system strollers is that they allow for the easy transportation of your baby from the car seat to more…

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Travel Guru Guide to Majorca Holidays
Monday, January 02nd, 2012 / admin


Guide to Majorca Holidays

Location of Majorca

The Spanish Island of Majorca in the Mediterranean has been inhabited for many millennia, with inhabitations evident from as early as between 6000-4000 BC. The island was occupied by the Romans in 123 BC, and though hotly disputed by many countries in the intervening years, eventually came to Aragonian (Spanish) rule in the 11th Century, where it has mostly remained for almost 800 years.

Island History

Because of the rich history of the island, there are many historical attractions on Majorca, such as Bellver Castle, Santueri Castle, Palma Cathedral, and El Diablo Castle, each with their own history and their own place in the stories that make up the past of the Island of Majorca. Not all of these castles are places of historical importance with a lack of modern perspective, however. The Spanish Royal Family has a summer palace on the island, and it is not unusual for them to spend their summer holidays in Majorca.

Flying To Majorca

The main tourist airport on the island is Son Sant Joan, and it is a very modern airport on the southern side of the island near the capital city of Palma. Flying in, you can even see the incredible Palma Cathedral from the air, which is a sight that is not to be missed! The Island of Majorca is full of incredible sights and lots of great things to do, and has been one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world since the 1960’s because of the wonderful climate and the many attractions to suit all kinds of people.

Attractions & Activities

There are all kinds of things for all kinds of people to do on a Majorca holiday, so if you are looking for lively and active adventures, check out the south coast of the island, where there is a hot nightlife and plenty of things for young people to become engaged in. Families might prefer venues like the Marineland dolphin and sea lion shows and the children’s beach.

Beach lovers will adore Majorca, as there are plenty of places to boat, surf, or just sunbathe all over the island. Get from place to place in cars or bikes, or check out the antiquated train that runs still from Palma to Soller and back again. There is no lack of historical interest on the island, either, and those who are interested can spend their entire vacation in museums and at historical points of interest. Majorca is a wonderful destination for people of all types.

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travel and tourism industry
Friday, December 30th, 2011 / admin

Tourists

The origin of the word “tourist” date back to 1292 AD. It has come from the word ‘tour’. A number of experts have defined the term:

“Tourists are the voluntary temporary travelers, traveling in the expectations of pleasure from the novelty and change experienced on a relatively and non-current round-trip”.

“Tourist is a person who makes a journey for the sake of curiosity for the fun of traveling”.

Tourists are:

-Persons traveling for pleasure, health and domestic reason.

-Persons arriving in the sea of sea cruise.

-Persons traveling for convention.

Tourism – the first commercial venture.

A religious Englishman called Thomas Cook in 1841 arranged, for a fee, a one –day rail excursion from Leicester to Loughborough for 540 members of a temperance league. Thus the first bona fide travel agent was Thomas Cook.

While Cook himself did not make a profit on this first venture, he was a man of vision and was convinced that there was a need for a skilled “travel arranger”. So by 1845 he had become the first full-time travel agent, operating train excursions from Leicester. The next year he chartered a train and steamer for an excursion to Scotland for 330 people. In 1851 Cook arranged ocean steamship travel and accommodations for more than 1,50,000 visitors to the World Exposition in London and in 1856 he operated the first escorted “grand tour” of Europe. Tours to Europe and Middle East were also conducted and, in 1872, the first around the world tour was conducted.

Tourism as a Service Industry

Tourism as a service industry comprises of several allied activities which together produce the tourism product. Involved in the tourism product are three major sub-industries. They are: – more…

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Travelling at the Last Minute – How to Make Quick Travel Arrangements
Monday, December 26th, 2011 / admin

When you choose to go on vacation, travelling on the spur of the moment might be your best choice. You may even be able to travel to the posh tourist destinations previously outside of your budget. There are advantages to be had by leaving your travel plans to the last minute. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1:

Check online travel websites. Booking online is a quick and cheap way to go last minute. You won’t have to spend money on travel agent fees or phone reservations. Check out a website that specializes in travel such as then go to last minute deals part of the site. If you’re easygoing, you’ll find lots of options reduced down from the original start price. Just look around sites for a travel deal that appeals to you.

Step 2:

To reserve, click the ‘book now’ button. Stay calm! Nothing is authenticated until your payment has been made with a credit card. It is always possible to return and make the necessary modifications. Clicking on ‘book now’ will simply start the booking process for you.

Step 3:

Select your flight. Even though you may have selected a particular resort or travel date, you still have a few choices for flights. A variety of different flight options from your chosen airport will be listed. Check the number connections you need to make, and how long your layovers will be (if they exist), and check what time you would need to be at the airport. Pick the best flight, then highlight your selection.

Step 4:

Enter your personal details. Once you’ve chosen your travel plans, you will need to provide details about yourself and anyone accompanying you. You will need to enter the name, age, address and citizenship of each traveler. Also, you may need to enter your passport details if you’re traveling abroad. Confirm your details then you can move to the next step.

Step 5:

Make up your mind if you want travel insurance. Before you get to the payment section of the reservation, more…

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A Relaxing Trip to the Caribbean Remedies Stress, Fatigue, and Boredom
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011 / admin

A vacation in the Caribbean can be a very good experience for you and your loved ones but getting a great deal on the place to stay and the type of travel methods to use may be a bit of a problem if you do not know exactly what to do. It is therefore absolutely important for you to take care when choosing the best caribbean vacation package for yourself. Of course there are many different factors that may influence the type of package that you go for and it is therefore always important to consider all the factors before you get down to looking for a great deal for yourself. So how exactly can you get the best deal when it comes to the choice of package that is most suitable for you?

 

Well as was mentioned before, you must first of all consider several things which may include the budget range that you are willing to work with. You must also keep in mind that there are other people who may be travelling with you and thus you must also take care of their needs. Of course most people love to go on Vacation with their loved ones and you should therefore always consult them about what they would like to see and have when they are with you on vacation. The information that you get from these people will be of great help for you when choosing the best package for yourself.

 

You must also make sure that you know exactly the place in which you wish to stay in, as that will play a very important role as you narrow your search for the best deals. Once you have all these things in mind, then you need to think of a way to get all the information that may be available about vacation packages in the Caribbean. The best place for you to get a lot of information is the internet. Of course you will have an easier time getting the best deal if you keep the above mentioned points in mind. The Caribbean is a very big place and the internet is also full of information which may be very difficult to understand at a short time and that is why the above points are important in narrowing down your search.

 

You can read several sites and find out what types of packages they are offering and then decide which one will best suit the needs that you have with relation to the points that were mentioned earlier. The internet is also full of impartial reviews about various packages and how people have benefited from them and thus you can be able to have an easier time if you hear or read about the experiences that people may have had when they used a particular package. This is basically the best way for you to get the most suitable caribbean vacation package for you and your loved ones.

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What You Will Get A Hold Of With Geo Holidays
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 / admin

As a regular working individual, it is only advisable that you take a vacation every once in a while just so you can perfectly doze off and release all the stress you have endured in the past months in the office. However, going on a vacation would sometimes also seem such a hassle to even try to accomplish, and for some, they give up at the precipice of booking for their getaway destinations.

But all that has changed since Geo Holidays has come into existence, if you happen to have no idea what this company is about, well imagine “Timeshare” If that still didn’t ring a bell, then it’s about time that you make yourself perfectly knowledgeable of what vacation should really consist of. Timeshare is a method where members are the only people who can make full use of it, when you acquire timeshare, you will be given credits to use for your desired destinations from the 3,700 accredited resorts worldwide.

All of these resorts are top of the line and very luxurious and are even famous worldwide, and GeoHolidays has access to all of these locales whenever you want to spend your weekend or the coming holidays at any of the resorts available. Becoming a member is completely easy and can be done in a breeze; all you have to do is to apply for one by contacting their hotline numbers or sending them an email about your inquiry and interest in taking part of the organization’s fascinating products and services. Once you have become a member, you will then be provided with further instructions on what you should do next in order to fully complete your membership and start enjoying your benefits.

After all documents and requirements have been thoroughly processed, GeoHolidays will then give you credit points you can use on the wide array of resorts to choose from. But don’t worry; being a member wouldn’t involve having to spend too much cash just for you to enjoy these exciting places. With GEO you can have the full ability to choose the type of membership you would want to obtain, of course the company accommodates whatever their newcomers are only capable of, so fret not. Flexibility is their top priority for their members, they see to it that all clients are given the most accommodating service possible; you too can choose the kind of membership you want.

 

 

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