As a travel agent, I come across travel competition frequently. Keeping a score card of where you’ve been and comparing notes with our fellow colleagues is normal in the business. Also keeping score of where you have worked in the industry. But now I find there is a happening trend of keeping travel score cards out there in the general public too which is normal, fun and great as it encourages more people to get outside of their comfort zones. And overseas.
However I start to take issue when the public begs to “differ” with what you are telling them when they become a client. I’m sorry, but if you were so smart why did you enlist a person who is trained and travelled in this area to organise your holiday for you?
If you know everything then by all means book your own ticket and go. It’s kinda the same attitude of “oh I’ve lived there so I think I would know” (‘lived’ meaning I spent 4 weeks in the same place and ‘been to’ meaning the countries you have touched down in on transit)
Guess what this doesn’t make you an expert nor an expat from said countries. Which is probably why deep down you you know this and have come to a travel agent in the first place.
I have worked in this industry for 8 years now and across a lot of different areas. There’s nothing I love more than helping people plan a trip and give advice from my own experiences to make theirs as memorable and enjoyable as possible. Those who are open to suggestion and are thankful for the help are wonderful clients and I wish them all the best in their personal journeys.
However I must tell you my days are over of clients telling ME how to do my job because they have “travelled extensively”
And just need the cheapest flight.
I’m sorry but a month in Bali and a Contiki trip to Europe does not constitute 'extensively'.
How about you stick to your day job, and let me do mine. Feel free to go book online if you don't wish to hear the facts/advice.
(But only after you’ve checked trip advisor of course – because random people’s extremely varied opinions worldwide, constitute as gospel).