05/03/2021
** Real, Honest, and Long 🙃 **
As a travel agent, COVID really affected our industry in so many ways. We were/are literally taking it day- by-day.... still.
Last year was an amazingly stacked year for me. I had booked a record amount of vacations by the end of JANUARY!! I was so excited. Only to have all of that shattered in 2 months. By the end of 2020, I had lost all of my commissions for that year due to cancellations and our world shutting down. Commissions are only paid after the clients travel. Some rebooked and some cancelled for the time being. I worked countless (hundreds) of hours for free last year for my clients. As I will continue doing so for each and every one of my clients. Booking with a travel agent saved them the 3-4 hour wait time to cancel or change their reservation — it was my time wasted, not their’s. Also, we are a no fee agency and that means I cannot charge for my time. The “quotes” that I send out are done on my free time, in hopes you will book so the supplier can pay me back for that time. I am not saying this to make you book every time a travel agent sends you a quote 🤪... just know that when we have to change destinations 2-3 times, that is 2-3 times the amount of free work we are having to do.
I have also apologized countless (hundreds) of times to my clients over things that are not in my control. We are dealing with CONSTANT cancellation policy changes with different suppliers. (Which most of the time there is no notification sent to us on these changes). I have apologized for increased rates from suppliers even though I have no control over that. I know they are just trying to make back their money lost during the shut down. Which is frustrating, but I know they are hurting too. We may have to cancel due to a closure, but think about how much money (and jobs) they have lost. The airfare prices are higher than last year and I have had to apologize for that - which I have no control over.
No one could have ever predicted this to reach the level that it has over the last year and 2 months. Travel is coming back, but nowhere near what it was right before Covid. I have had to handle a lot this past year and 2 months (for free) and it has finally caught up to me. I never would have thought I would to have to apologize for things out of my control.
This last month and a half has kicked my butt! It’s has been like the wooden rollercoaster at Six Flags in Dallas 😳😩.... Between working 3 jobs, teaching virtual learning to 5 schools and having an in-person class, end of the year testing season for school, dealing with 3 difficult reservations, several doctors appointments, and all while trying to have a life.
I am going to be taking a much needed break from booking vacations until at least the end of July. This is for only NEW bookings! If you are booked with me, or if you have travel credit, I will continue to take care of you for any needs/concerns/questions. If you have been thinking about contacting me, please fill out the link in the comments. I will be taking requests until Wednesday of this week (May 5th). I know with travel coming back that seems to be very unwise, but it is much needed. I am putting my time as a priority right now - and I have no more apologies for things I cannot control.
Much love! ❤️
Jess
I am a NO FEE travel agent!! Let's get your vacation planned, organized, and booked! Also, make su
