Whose Team Are You On?

How my “team” of suppliers, fellow agents, and past clients work together

As one of my travel advisor friends was traveling home from Ft. Lauderdale (pre-pandemic), she found herself sitting across the aisle from Don Shula, the famous former coach of the Miami Dolphins. He was sitting in seat 1D, the aisle in the first row of First Class, and, unfortunately, most people recognized him as they came out of the lavatory and stopped to speak and shake his hand. I felt a little bit sorry for him since he couldn't just sit back and relax on the flight, but when I had a chance to ask him if it was annoying he said that, while sometimes he wished for a little solitude, he appreciates the fact that they all feel like they are a part of his "team". Do you have people on your team?

It made me think about how important that is...having a team who has your back. I feel the same after forty-plus years in the travel industry. When I custom-craft your European vacation itinerary, put together an amazing (and seamless) journey through the Hawaiian Islands, or book amazing once-in-a-lifetime experiences around the work, the experience you receive is a direct reflection of my team of people:

1. My Supplier team

When you receive your final itinerary from me, there are usually several hotels, transfers from airports, train stations, & piers, Sightseeing Tours, Cruise confirmations, Airline reservations, Private guides, and goodness knows what else. I call this your “Travel Bible”. All of these components are sourced based on my relationships and experience with the Tour Operators and other suppliers with whom I have established a level of trust. Anywhere from a major international hotel chain like Starwood/Marriott, to a 10-room Inn on an Umbrian hilltop, to the mom & pop driver/guides I use in the Amalfi Coast who meet my clients with a chilled bottle of Prosecco in the car and know all the little hideaway spots that can make the difference between an "okay" trip and a "stellar" one. These travel providers take better care of my clients because they don't want to let me down and I continue to support them because of it. Try getting that when you book online!

2. My Network of other Travel Professionals

I spend lots of time and money every year in professional continuing education and peer networking. My host agency, the Gifted Travel Network, is made up of like-minded Niche/Specialty travel professionals who are some of the most brilliant (and fun!) folks I know. Plus, our consortium, Virtuoso, is a champion to each and every travel advisor in its network. If a client comes to me with a request for a custom itinerary exploring the Great Wall of China, an African Safari, or a Bed & Breakfast tour of New Zealand, I may not know the immediate answers but I sure as heck know where to find them! And we don't hesitate to refer clients among each other because I would sure want MY trip to the Great Wall of China planned meticulously by an agent who has intimate knowledge of the area and has the supplier relationships in place to make it a trip to remember! In return, I receive referrals for my expertise for the exact same reasons. We have each other's backs and you, the client, are the ones who reap the benefits!

3. My Team of past, present, and prospective Clients

I really learn as much from YOU as I hope you do from me! Every family has different hopes, needs, and dreams for their perfect vacation and it is MY job to make sure they are all met. So, if I ask you too many random questions during the planning process, or follow up before you have time to get over your jet lag - my apologies. Just understand that what I learn from your honest feedback helps me to better serve more people in the future. I love all my clients – even when they call me at 3:00 am my time when their credit card doesn’t work in a foreign country!

So that's who's on my team...and I'm sure Coach Don Shula understands how we all work together to be successful. I hope it is reassuring to know that not only I but my "team" has your back when you allow me to plan your next vacation!! Where will you go next??? Be sure to share with your friends, travel buddies, and family!