17/01/2023
A MUST READ.
Hope clients will understand this:
THE REAL TALK ABOUT TRAVEL AGENTS
1. "Tao lang, natutulog din."
Don't expect them to respond to your message right away during wee hours. They also have families and they deserve to rest during their day off.
2. They will always appreciate your PATIENCE, big time! You are not the only client they have and as much as they want to do all things at the same time, they can't. But rest assured they will attend to your needs. 🙂
They will always prioritize emergency cases and urgent bookings for sure.
3. They are professionals and your transactions are purely BUSINESS and NOTHING PERSONAL.
Please respect their terms, policies and booking procedures. This is not to make you do so much work but to ensure all are in place.
If you can write your information/sign with your name repeatedly when the bank tells you because it's their protocol, then there should be no problem when the travel agent asks you to sign the T&C / reply back with your confirmation.
4. They DO NOT CONTROL EVERYTHING. Flight delays, cancellation, weather, traffic conditions, immigration decisions, visa approvals, and the like. So please do not blame the travel agents for any of these. Trust me, they do not want this to happen too.
5. OBSERVATION: Clients who carry the most positive vibe, those who understand, and those who show respect from the start of the process all through out, experience the most rewarding travel experience. And clients who are mean, who think once they pay they "own you", and those who are demanding (in a wrong way), mostly experience #4.
6. The VOUCHERS exist because they are IMPORTANT. Please and we mean, PLEASE, READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE VOUCHERS. Generally, the travel agents' mission is to provide a hassle free travel experience to the guests and as the saying goes, booking with a travel agency is a "two way street". If you want hassle free, you need to participate. You need to read the instructions so you won't get lost at the airport, miss your tours or even miss your flight!
7. BOOKING ERRORS or not getting what you paid for. This is the most nightmare of travel agents. You see, when you arrive at the destination, you will be handled by the local operators and as much as the agents want to GUARANTEE the trip to be perfect, they can't. This is because of #4 - THEY DO NOT CONTROL EVERYTHING. But ofcourse, if you have concerns, please contact the travel agents immediately so they still have time to fix the problem.
A professional travel agent faces the problem and won't hide. Honestly, you cannot avoid little mishaps but everything can be settled professionaly - no need to disrespect or bad mouth them. Remember they are professionals, not someone you paid to be your "travel slave". You cannot demand but you can REQUEST. You can always ask nicely and they may even be your friend in the future. 😊
8. These TRAVEL AGENTS, though some still work at home, does not mean they did not put their time, effort, money, hard work, and their whole heart to start this business from scratch. You might think just because they are online (no physical office), selling packages on Facebook, that they earn too little for you to disrespect. You have no idea how much these travel agents can earn with their full focus, effort and hardwork. So please, treat them like a real Travel Partner. Share to them your good and bad travel experience during the tour, what you think can help them improve and send them your honest feedback.
A fruitful relationship with you are more rewarding for them than the income they gained from your trip.
NOTE: This is only true to PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL AGENTS NOT SCAMMERS 😊💚💜
