J&R Ward Travel Company

03/09/2024

Is this the truth or what? If you are currently in stage #5, please give me a call! Let's get you something to look forward to!

01/09/2024

Who needs more stuff? How about a vacation for Christmas? The time to plan is NOW! Contact Rochelle today.

04/07/2024

Happy Independence Day America from sea to shining sea!

27/06/2024

I had a client call me this morning and jokingly said “Hey, are you still doing that travel thing?” I knew he was joking in the fact that he knows it is not just a “thing that I do” because I have planned all of his and his extended family’s vacations as well as people he has referred to me for years. I know that he trusts me to plan travel for the people that mean the most to him and that he is a faithful “client for life”. But it got me thinking. I believe that over the 16 years I have been in this industry with the rise of technology and online travel booking sites, apps at your fingertips and travel deals everywhere that some people believe that being a “travel agent, travel professional, travel planner” is not a serious career path. Or at least it’s not serious until they run into an issue with a flight delay causing them to miss their cruise or an issue with a resort or tour provider or a refund from a cancellation. Anything that could cost them additional money. At that point if they booked on their own I cannot help them. Even though it’s interesting that I am the first phone call or text message they make.
Many agents that I am friends with or in the same network do not charge fees for their services. However some are beginning to realize that they need to charge a ‘planning fee’ because people will contact them to put together some options, which takes time, send them multiple quotes, which takes time, even change destinations, which takes time and then ghost them. Many times you see these same people traveling using the itinerary the agent has created, but they never gave the agent the opportunity to book the trip for whatever reason. It’s as if the agent’s time did not matter to the customer. Maybe it’s for a good reason that the customer booked on their own. But since many suppliers agents work with have the ability to price match, the bottom line price should not be a factor. Maybe it's a personality conflict, or maybe plans change but common courtesy would be to at the very least email the agent and let them know. Or maybe they genuinely enjoy booking trips on their own which is perfectly fine.
But, over the years it seems that value and loyalty have become more and more challenging. All that being said, I love this industry and the job that I have had the privilege to do that has contributed to my family in many ways. I love my host network that goes above and beyond to provide the tools I need to run a successful company, training that keeps me current and the ultimate benefits that get passed on to my clients. I have many clients that are ‘lifers’ and see what I do as an important part of their network of services they use. They have the reassurance that while traveling they have someone they can contact and get a response. They know that they will be well prepped for their trip no matter where in the world they go. They may live in different parts of the country but many of them have become dear friends over the years and love that “travel thing that I do”! In the years ahead, I look forward to new clients to meet, new adventures to plan and new dreams to turn into memories. So reach out, then go pack your bags, I’ll get you there!
www.jrwardtravel.com

30/05/2024

This is a game changer for those who love the Tulum and Riviera Maya resorts in Mexico. The Tulum airport is open and is cutting the transfer time in half than if you flew into the Cancun airport. I love being able to plan easier travel for my clients.

Tulum Airport (IATA: TQO | ICAO: MMTU) officially known as Aeropuerto Internacional de Tulum is an international airport located south of Tulum, Q.R., México.

27/05/2024

Thankful for those who sacrificed it all in the name of freedom.

22/05/2024

Summer is coming and there memories to be made! Contact Rochelle to help you make your plans. [email protected] or 219-863-3928

12/05/2024

10/05/2024

I am proud to be a member of the Family Travel Association. As a Certified FTA Advisor, I have made a commitment along with others in the travel profession to make the vacation experience for American families the best it can be. Being part of this elite group of professionals provides me with a large network of leaders in the industry as well as resources that will benefit my clients.

10/05/2024

The month of May is Travel Agent Appreciation Month. The travel industry is always growing and changing. It is crucial to constantly be learning and staying current with what is new around the globe. My home state is a world wide travel destination from beaches to the most famous theme parks. No better time than May to become re-certified on one of the most popular cities in my backyard.

26/04/2024

Where in the WORLD is everyone going? This week has been a fun week of planning travel and sending clients on their way. I currently have clients in Rome who will be boarding a ship and sailing for 2 weeks to Barcelona, another couple is leaving next week for a 12 day tour of Scotland and Ireland, a family of 4 is heading to Paris and then taking the train to London, a group of ladies are doing a 13 day Alaska cruise tour this summer, a solo trip for a client in Mexico. I'm currently working on a honeymoon in Punta Cana, an anniversary in Mexico, a Greek getaway for two, an inside passage cruise in Alaska, a freestyle trip to Ireland and Germany, a group of 20 are getting excited for their guided tour of Ireland and Scotland, several all inclusive Caribbean vacations and cruises to other destinations. 2024 is a great year to travel. Let's make some plans! Contact Rochelle, it's so easy: https://jrwardtravel.com/contact-rochelle

22/04/2024

I'm excited to partner with Rail Europe in order to offer my clients great experiences and an easy way to travel from one European city to another.

08/04/2024

I am incredibly grateful for all the people I have met along the way who have supported my business year after year, some from the very beginning 16 years ago. Who understand and appreciate the value I can bring to their travel plans. I love that for many of them it started at their honeymoon and now we are including their growing families in their travels. I've been blessed to meet some amazing people who have referred me to friends and family across the country. This business is really about the people I get to serve and help create some of their most precious memories! From first trips to babymoons to bucket list adventures. From reservations for 2 to large groups who start their party in the airport. I am thankful I get to do what I love!
Happy Birthday J&R Ward Travel Company !

05/04/2024

Not a tourist destination, but with our family serving in the military we get a unique opportunity to visit the bases they are stationed at. Over 11,000 US personnel and their families work and live on or near this base. There are also contracted Germans who work on base as civilians here. It is a good relationship between the Americans and the Germans that work together to support each other in protecting our countries. 🇺🇲🇩🇪

Spangdahlem Air Base is a NATO air base with the United States Air Force as a tenant constructed between 1951 and 1953 and located near the small German town of Spangdahlem, approximately 30 kilometres north-northeast of the city of Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate. (Wikipedia)

05/04/2024

The food took me down memory lane. I remember my sweet German Grandma cooking like this.

05/04/2024

This is how you know for sure you are in Germany!

05/04/2024

Bernkastel-Kues

05/04/2024

The Moxy by Marriott in Frankfurt was a great overnight before an early flight back home.

05/04/2024

Lunch at a sweet little cafe near the Eiffle Tower.

05/04/2024

Paris is going to be the home of the summer Olympics this year. Preparations are happening all over the city.

05/04/2024

Finally getting a chance to post some pictures from Disneyland Paris. The magic is real! ✨

07/03/2024

We love staying in Marriott Villages and France did not disappoint! For a larger family the two-bedroom townhouse was a perfect way to spread out so everyone could relax.

05/03/2024

First things first. Coffee and pastries at a local Bakerei.

02/03/2024

We will be traveling in Germany and France over the next 10 days. Follow us on our adventure! 🇩🇪🇫🇷

04/01/2024

Makes sense! ✈️😂

23/12/2023

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! 🎄

21/12/2023

It's the most wonderful time of the year! I'm about to deliver "waterproof" luggage tags to my clients who are taking a cruise for Christmas! 🚢 What's under your tree?
Custom gift certificates are available for last minute stocking stuffers! Don't know where you want to go? No worries, we can plan later!
Contact me at [email protected] or (219) 863-3928

09/11/2023

Instead of giving a gift that will be forgotten by next year, plan to make memories with your family and friends that will last a lifetime! Give the gift of travel and adventure this Christmas. Make it even easier and contact Rochelle to help you book an amazing getaway. [email protected] or (219) 863-3928

28/10/2023

The best part about being in business for so long are the relationships built along the way! Yakema was a referral of a referral (see how that works, small businesses thrive on referrals, it's the best kind of advertisement). We live in different states and have never even met face to face. However, over the last 10 years I have been sending her around the world and this week she is living it up in Paris celebrating her birthday on a "Me-cation". We have built a trust and a friendship over the years and I love helping her plan all of her adventures! Joyeux anniversaire, belle amie!

26/10/2023

I highly recommend downloading WhatsApp to your phone before traveling internationally. Free calls and messaging. Many tour and transfer companies are using it to communicate with agents and customers.