Travel Agent of the Day Monday November 12, 2007 - Traci Alexander
11/12/2007 11:11 a.m.
Traci Alexander
Destination Specialist (DS)
Traci joined the Tripology network back in April of 2007 and has already planned some great vacations for travelers she found through Tripology.com.
How long have you been in the business?
"Over a year"
What inspired you to become a travel agent?
"My love for travel"
Do you have a passion for travel?
"Yes, I love to find new places and work with people from all over the world."
Did you do anything else before becoming a travel agent?
"Yes, I was an office manager for 10 years at a water company."
Are there any great perks that come with working in this business? Any great discounts?
"Of course!"
Do you take a lot of vacations?
"I go to Mexico and Las Vegas once a year. I also go to Eureka Springs, AK quite often. Then there are a lot of little trips that I take too."
Do you go alone or do your friends and family tag along?
"Alone, family, friends - depends on what it's for."
Favorite getaways to head off to on your own?
"I usually go to Las Vegas for conferences, so I will go alone to these. It gives me time to find new places, restaurants, etc. Mexico is my favorite romantic place to go."
Do you inadvertently work a lot when you are on vacation? - scouting hotels, activities, tours and sites?
"Oh, yes! It's hard not to."
How else do you review hotels that you may not have been to?
"I will read as many reviews as I can find on the web."
How many clients do you have right now?
"Well, I have a lot of local clients and then I also have some from other states as well."
Do you work with a partner?
"No, just my travel passionate husband."
Office or home?
"I work out of my home."
Do you limit how many clients you can work with at one time?
"Nope, I am a multi-tasker! I have yet had to limit myself and I hope I never have to."
Websites such as, Orbitz, Expedia, and Travelocity have given the opportunity to travelers to book trips without a travel agent. Have you found this to be a problem for you?
"Like anything else, people are finding that by just clicking 'book it,' you are not getting the bargain you think you are getting for your dollars. The internet's so called sale prices leave out fees that the consumer ends up paying later...or you don't get quality rooms and the choices you can get by simply calling a travel agent. It is coming around full circle now and people are starting to realize a travel agent is your better option."
What are you doing to convince travelers that a travel agent is a better option?
"I point out the obvious! Many, many people have come to me because of the internet. If I can get you a better deal - with no worries, no hassles, and you can be sure of what you purchased...why wouldn't you book with me. It's a no brainer!"
If a traveler asks you, "Why should I use a travel agent," how do you respond?
"Better pricing than the internet and better rooms/seats. You get to have it your way rather than settling. Less hassles! And, you simply get the most value out the money you spend on your vacation!"
Have any travelers given you any horror stories of experiences they had trying to book a trip on their own?
"Yes, usually having to do with hidden fees and cancelation problems to name a few..."
Do you have any tips for the listening travel community?
"Always know the proper documentation with flying...I also run into people at airports that don't know exactly what they should have and should not have in their carry-on baggage. It is important to know what all the rules are at the time of your travel since they change all the time."
What's the most exciting trip to book right now for you?
"St. Lucia"
What would you say is your most popular destination request right now?
"Las Vegas"
Why do you think that is?
"Las Vegas is very popular for a cheap getaway! Clients want the best price and best rooms!"
There's a lot of buzz about specialization these days, and how destination expertise is still a great value proposition for travelers. Why do you think agent specialization is important to have when travelers are trying to book the trip?
"You need to know what you are selling. If you've been there you are more passionate about it too!"
What does it mean to be specialized to you?
"That I have the extra knowledge about the area I am selling."
Is it focusing on only 1 thing and traveling there every year?
"No, you can definitely be specialized in many areas! Some like the 'one thing' but I like more diversity."
Do travelers ask a lot if you have been to where they are trying to book their trip?
"Of course! They want the vital first hand knowledge on the location."
Does specialization actually mean focusing on a handful of things?
"Well it could, but an agent can know a lot of things. If you are looking for a particular type of vacation, say Golf, I would go to someone whose niche is in Golf Destinations. But that doesn't mean that that golf specialist doesn't know about other areas as well."
How specialized is too specialized? Is this possible?
"Being specialized is a good thing. But say I just sold Mexico, that would really limit who I could sell to and not benefit my other clients that want to travel anywhere else."
A popular trip request lately has been requests for flight only quotes. Do you believe that a good agent can up-sell these requests to full trips?
"I would hope so."
How would you go about doing this?
"Explain to them that the package deals are usually cheaper and also try to qualify the client by finding out what their needs are."
If someone were to call you and ask for a once in a lifetime vacation idea, what would you suggest?
"If money were no issue - it would probably be a around the world cruise! You get to see many different countries and ports, and experience numerous cultures and people without having to drive anywhere -- and you only have to unpack once!"
Funniest thing you have ever been asked?
"10 people wanted one room in Las Vegas for some ...let's say fun!"
Tags: travel agents of the day
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