Travel Agent of the Day Monday November 5th, 2007 - Jake Haupert
11/05/2007 11:11 a.m.
Jake Haupert
Destination Specialist (DS)
Jake joined the Tripology network back in April of 2007 and has already planned some great vacations for travelers he found through Tripology.com.
How long have you been in the business?
"I have been in the adventure travel business for eight years."
What inspired you to become a travel agent? Do you have a passion for travel?
"I have always had a real passion for travel, starting at a very young age. As an avid explorer, I can't get enough of it. I believe so deeply that there is not a better education out there than getting out and experiencing all that our world has to offer...We are so lucky that international travel has become accessible. We can leave our home one day and the next be trekking in New Zealand or diving the great barrier reef.How cool is that!!!
Did you do anything else before becoming a travel agent?
"I graduated from Southern Oregon University with a Business degree focused on hospitality and tourism. I have worked in various positions in the travel industry since 1999, including the Four Seasons, Marco Polo Vacations, Galapagos Cruises, Cruise West, and Down Under Answers. I have always been working towards owning my own Adventure Travel Company, so each position was a conscious step in that direction. I now own two companies...Travel is for me and it always will be."
Are there any great perks that come with working in this business?
"Absolutely, the perks are fantastic! I think they used to be better, but I am quite a bit younger than the average travel agent, 32 years old. But I have enjoyed quite a few cool perks including fam trips and discounted hotel stays."
Do you take a lot of vacations?
"My business partner, wife, and I will often take trips together. Sometimes we take them independently though too..."
Favorite getaways to head off to on your own?
"Personally, I love the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. Lately, we have been exploring Vancouver Island and Whistler BC, which are also fantastic. We have so much up here in our little corner of the world that we do not have to travel very far for some experiences in nature and the outdoors."
What is the best vacation you have ever had?
"I proposed to my wife in Fiji a couple of years ago, on the private island of Qamea. After sipping Kava with the island band members, I took my wife out to our private dinner table right on the beach and popped the question! She obviously said yes and now we have a baby on the way! This trip will probably always be at the top of my list. The people, the scenic beauty and the unique experiences we had while there are really tough to beat."
Do you inadvertently work a lot when you are on vacation?
- scouting hotels, activities, tours and sites?
"I own a travel company...I am always working...You really do not get to know a destination until you have lived like a local for a bit of time. Running around trying to do every tour or see every hotel is beneficial and we do that often, but I feel that I should travel as one of my clients would, not a travel professional."
How else do you review hotels that you may not have been to?
"I have very reliable sources that I can get valuable and honest feedback from. Furthermore, I only specialize in destinations that I have been to. So, it is easy for me to keep up to date on hotels popping up and those that need to be refurbished."
Do you work with a partner?
"Our business consists of a partner and my wife and I."
Office or home?
"We are home based...But, we are on the road a lot, so our office travels with us in our backpacks."
Do you limit how many clients you can work with at one time?
"We limit ourselves since we work on high customized travel experiences that can take quite a bit of time to organize. We also do very little advertising and rely heavily on the value of word-of-mouth referrals."
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?
"Rarely, we are working on high end and tailor made itineraries that really cannot be booked over the web."
What are you doing to convince travelers that a travel agent is a better option?
"I remind them of our expertise and service."
If a traveler asks you, "Why should I use a travel agent," how do you respond?
"We remind them that we are experts on the destination and on how to travel. Since we specialize in off the beaten path itineraries we stress the importance and value of booking with us."
Have any travelers given you any horror stories of experiences they had trying to book a trip on their own?
"Sometimes, I will have clients call on the phone frustrated with their online efforts, especially when booking overseas itineraries. I advise them that we can offer a seamlessly effortless travel experience that includes all or most of their airfare, lodging, and adventures in one itinerary. They always appreciate the simplicity that we provide. The last thing they should be worrying about while traveling is wondering if their voucher or confirmation number is going to be valid. Peace of mind is something that is often overlooked by clients looking to save a buck by buying on the internet."
What's the most exciting trip to book right now for you?
"I absolutely love booking voluntourism and community based adventures. The authenticity of the experience is just mind blowing."
What would you say is your most popular destination request right now?
"Costa Rica adventures"
Why do you think that is?
"Nature, wildlife, and ecotourism are very popular right now and Costa Rica has always been on the forefront of these offerings."
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?
"It does not make sense to me how an agent can feel comfortable sellng a destination that they have not visited or know very, very well."
What does it mean to be specialized to you? Is it focusing on only 1 thing and traveling there every year?
"I think agents should specialize in what they are passionate about themselves. We are passionate about sustainable tourism and culture, nature and adventure based travel experiences. We sell destinations that we have been to..."
Do travelers ask a lot if you have been to where they are trying to book their trip?
"No, but they should."
Does specialization actually mean focusing on a handful of things?
"No, I think you specialize in a specific type or style of travel in a handful of destinations."
How specialized is too specialized? Is this possible?
"Not possible!"
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?
"Yes, especially for international flights."
If someone were to call you and ask for a once in a lifetime vacation idea, what would you suggest?
"Too tough to say...I would have to ask a few questions and attempt to connect with the client to udnerstand what I think would be their 'once in a lifetime vacation.'"
Funniest thing you have ever been asked as a travel agent?
"Can I take the train to Australia from the United States!"
Tags: travel agents of the day
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