Resorts You Should Know: Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in 90 Seconds
In our new series "Resorts You Should Know," we highlight our top resorts and their unique selling points so you're better able to share these wonderful resorts with your clients. In Part 1, we cover Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in La Romana, Dominican Republic.
Known as a favorite luxury destination for celebrities who relish the 7,000 acre private gated community, the activities are world-class — 8 outstanding restaurants including the stunning Minitas Beach Club, a Marina, Equestrian Center featuring Polo, Shooting Course, great shopping, 3 private pristine white sand beaches, and 3 Pete Dye golf courses including Teeth of the Dog, the #1 ranked course in the Caribbean.
This episode is brought to you by our partnership with the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism.
The most important thing for your business is you doing what you say you’re going to do. It’s also the most difficult. As travel agents, we always have a million things pulling at us: in-destination travel emergencies, frantic last minute questions and bookings, quotes, requests, and emails. But these things will never go away.
This is why it’s important to underpromise and overdeliver. It’s much better to tell your client that you’ll have travel packages over to them by tomorrow evening and send them tomorrow afternoon than it is to tell them you’ll have quotes to them today and send them tomorrow morning. The best way to grow your business is to gain the trust of your clients, and the best way to gain the trust of your clients is to follow through.
#travelagent #travelagency #travelagenttips
It’s important to take pride in our work, but at some point, perfectionism is just a fear of judgment. It’s a fear of failure. It’s a fear that if we ship our work, then maybe our client or our colleague or our audience won’t like it. It won’t be good enough.
So because we fear failure, we find excuses not to deliver our work. We continually make small, unnecessary improvements to the project, over and over again. So what’s the solution? For me, it’s reminding myself of the advice my brother Tim Evans, the Founder and CEO of Modern Travelworks, gave me.
He always says, “GETMO.” Good Enough To Move On. It doesn’t need to be perfect. We don’t need to make every single possible improvement. We don’t need to waste hours on unnecessary details. We need to work hard on our projects, complete them, and then move on to our next important project.
#travelagent #travelagency #travelagentlife #travelagenttips
35. Perfectionism is a Fear of Judgment & Failure | The Importance of Follow Through
It’s important to take pride in our work, but at some point, perfectionism is just a fear of judgment. It’s a fear of failure. It’s a fear that if we ship our work, then maybe our client or our colleague or our audience won’t like it. It won’t be good enough.
So because we fear failure, we find excuses not to deliver our work. We continually make small, unnecessary improvements to the project, over and over again. So what’s the solution? For me, it’s reminding myself of the advice my brother Tim Evans, the Founder and CEO of Modern Travelworks, gave me.
He always says, “GETMO.” Good Enough To Move On. It doesn’t need to be perfect. We don’t need to make every single possible improvement. We don’t need to waste hours on unnecessary details. We need to work hard on our projects, complete them, and then move on to our next important project.
Follow Through: The most important thing for your business is you doing what you say you’re going to do. It’s also the most difficult. As travel agents, we always have a million things pulling at us: in-destination travel emergencies, frantic last minute questions and bookings, quotes, requests, and emails. But these things will never go away.
This is why it’s important to underpromise and overdeliver. It’s much better to tell your client that you’ll have travel packages over to them by tomorrow evening and send them tomorrow afternoon than it is to tell them you’ll have quotes to them today and send them tomorrow morning. The best way to grow your business is to gain the trust of your clients, and the best way to gain the trust of your clients is to follow through.
34. Everything You Need To Know About Palladium Hotel Group with Stefany Jones
On this episode of the Modern Travel Agent Podcast, we sit down with Stefany Jones, Director of Retail Affairs for Palladium Hotel Group, and we discuss everything you need to know about Palladium Hotel Group heading into 2024.
We start the discussion by covering the different brands under the Palladium Hotel Group umbrella including the luxury adult-only TRS Hotels, the family-friendly Grand Palladium Hotels, and the exclusive, elevated family-friendly experience of Family Selection at Grand Palladium Hotels.
Then we cover the recent renovations and projects in Montego Bay and the Riviera Maya. We discuss unique selling points like the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in the Playa Mujeres complex, the Chic Cabaret experience in Playa Mujeres, Riviera Maya, and Punta Cana, and the upcoming Le Petite Chef and Bravo Dine & Dance Experience.
This episode is brought to you by Palladium Hotel Group. Whether you're already selling Palladium Hotel Group resorts or you're brand new, I think you'll find this episode really helpful; and if you want to learn more about Palladium Hotel Group, they have a wonderful team of Business Development Managers that are available to educate, assist, and partner with you every step of the way.
33. How To Stop Procrastinating | Chris Dehner of Modern Travelworks
When we’re starting new projects, we often say “I’m not sure what to do next” as a substitute for admitting, “I know what to do next but I’m scared it might not work.” If we’re honest with ourselves, we almost always know what we need to do next. We just struggle to do the things we know we need to do.
Sometimes we just have to give ourselves permission to be uncomfortable, to try something new, and to possibly “fail,” because that’s the only way we’ll ever take the first steps necessary to build our next great thing.
Today’s a great day to set aside 5 minutes to start that thing you know you need to do but have been putting off. Lower the bar so you can’t make anymore excuses. You don’t need to know everything. You don’t need to finish everything. You don’t need to set aside hours to do it, and there is no perfect time to start. Those are all excuses that allow you to put it off for tomorrow. Spend 5 minutes starting that thing today, because you know deep down you’ll be happy you did it.
This episode of the Modern Travel Agent Podcast is brought to you by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. I just spent an incredible week in the Dominican Republic and documented the entire trip in my Instagram stories. Checkout the “highlights” on my Instagram page to see my time in:
Santo Domingo: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17842878489112432/
La Romana: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/18002822150239275/
Cap Cana: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17980846652356775/
If you’ve been putting off creating content and posting on social media for your travel business, maybe this can help you gain the confidence to start or even recommit to getting back on track.
When we’re starting new projects, we often say “I’m not sure what to do next” as a substitute for admitting, “I know what to do next but I’m scared it might not work.” If we’re honest with ourselves, we almost always know what we need to do next. We just struggle to do the things we know we need to do.
Sometimes we just have to give ourselves permission to be uncomfortable, to try something new, and to possibly “fail,” because that’s the only way we’ll ever take the first steps necessary to build our next great thing.
Today’s a great day to set aside 5 minutes to start that thing you know you need to do but have been putting off. Lower the bar so you can’t make anymore excuses. You don’t need to know everything. You don’t need to finish everything. You don’t need to set aside hours to do it, and there is no perfect time to start. Those are all excuses that allow you to put it off for tomorrow.
Spend 5 minutes starting that thing today, because you know deep down you’ll be happy you did it. Let’s have a great Monday!
This episode of the Modern Travel Agent Podcast is brought to you by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. I just spent an incredible week in the Dominican Republic and documented the entire trip in my Instagram stories. Checkout the “highlights” on my Insta page to see my time in Santo Domingo, La Romana, and Cap Cana.
In episode 32 of the Modern Travel Agent Podcast, @sahararosethetravelcoach of @thetravelcoachnetwork discusses the importance of agents showing up and sharing their own stories and preferences as a way of setting themselves apart. To listen to the full episode, check the link in bio.
#travelagent #travelconsultant #traveladvisor #travelagenttips #hosttravelagency
As travel agents, it can be easy for us to rely on the extensive amenities of a resort to make our clients’ vacation special, but if we’re only planning sheltered trips for our clients, then we’re keeping them from truly experiencing the destination and all of it’s wonderful people and traditions.
#travelagent #travelconsultant #traveladvisor #travelagenttips
32. How To Set Yourself Apart | Sahara Rose De Vore, Travel Coach Network
Sahara Rose - The Travel Coach is a Wellness Travel Coach and the Founder of the Travel Coach Network. After finishing university and finding herself unhappy with the lack of travel career options, Sahara bought a one-way ticket to Ireland which led her on a decade-long journey backpacking across 84 countries. Sahara is a TEDx speaker who has been in over 140 media outlets including Forbes, Travel Weekly and Condé Nast Traveler, and she was named one of 2023’s Most Influential Women in Travel by TravelPulse.
We discuss how agents can get out of their comfort zone, be vulnerable, and use a human centric approach to better connect with their clients, because with so many different options available to book travel, it’s never been more important for agents to set themselves apart by sharing their unique stories and perspectives.
This episode is brought to you by our partnership with the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. Follow GoDominicanRepublic to learn more about all that this wonderful destination has to offer.
31. Too Busy? Here's an Easy Trick to Gain More Time
Being a travel agent often feels like trying to do an infinite number of things in a finite amount of time. If you ever find yourself thinking or saying, "I'm too busy," then this simple 4 minute video can help you gain more time.
This episode of the Modern Travel Agent podcast is sponsored by the Dominican Republic Tourism Board.
30. Becoming Better at Sales & the Importance of Asking for the Sale, Review & Referral
In this episode of Around the Block where I take you with me on my walk and answer travel agent questions, I discuss the importance of us focusing on what we can control, ways to become better at sales, and the importance of asking for the things that we want (the sale, the review, and the referral).
This episode of the Modern Travel Agent Podcast is sponsored by the Dominican Republic Tourism Board. The Dominican Republic is a lush tropical island paradise that boasts nearly 1,000 miles (1,609 km) of coastline, 250 miles (402 km) of the world’s top beaches, magnificent resorts and hotels, and a variety of sports, recreation and entertainment options.
29. Wednesday Rant - Value Must Be Demonstrated, Not Asserted
In this Wednesday Rant, I argue that value must be demonstrated rather than asserted. It's not enough to tell people they should use a travel agent. You have to show them why they should use an agent.
28. Wednesday Rant - "My Clients Don't Read"
This is the first episode of Wednesday Rant where I go on a lighthearted rant about what's on my mind in the travel agent world. If you ever find yourself complaining that your clients don't read, then this episode is for you.
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome, Advice for New Agents, and How To Stop Getting Ghosted
This is a new segment called Around The Block where I take you with me on my walk and answer travel agent questions. On this episode, I cover how to deal with imposter syndrome early on before you know everything you need to know. I give my top two pieces of advice for new travel agents, and I explain a few ways you can reduce the likelihood of your clients ghosting you.
This episode is sponsored by Palladium Hotel Group. Check out the previous podcast, episode 26, where I detail my top 4 reasons to stay at their beautiful, adult-only TRS Yucatan Hotel.
Travel Agents, Here Are 4 Reasons Why You Should Send Your Clients To TRS Yucatan Hotel
Here are the top 4 reasons why you should send your clients to the 454 suite, adult-only, Forbes recommended 5-star TRS Yucatan Hotel.
4. The TRS Yucatan Hotel is a great resort option for travelers looking for a luxury, adult-only jungle paradise in the Mexican Riviera Maya. This isn’t a Miami style high-rise resort like you’ll find in the Cancun hotel zone. This is a gorgeous property divided by a lagoon and spread out across the lush jungle vegetation of the Yucatan where you’ll see a wide range of wildlife including all types of beautiful birds, fish, iguanas, and my personal favorite, the adorable relative of the raccoon, the Coati. For an added experience, you can even enjoy a 15 minute catamaran ride around the property’s lagoon.
3. Located 30 minutes south of Playa del Carmen, the TRS Yucatan Hotel is a great location from which to explore the ruins and cenotes of Tulum and the Riviera Maya. For instance, you can make the trip to the ancient Mayan city of Cobá which includes a 138 foot pyramid Nohoch Mul, one of the tallest in the entire Yucatan. Or you can take the short trip down south and go swimming in any of the four different cenotes that make up Cenotes Casa Tortuga Tulum. Or my personal favorite, you can explore the deep caverns of Cenote Sac Actun which is actually the second longest underwater cave system in the entire world at 143 miles. Travel is about more than just the hotel or resort you stay at, and the TRS Yucatan Hotel’s location is perfect as a home-base from which to explore the Riviera Maya.
2. The adult-only TRS Yucatan Hotel is great for couples on honeymoons, anniversaries, and romantic getaways. It’s great for groups, friend getaways, birthday parties, or even a combination of the two like groups of couples. This property includes beautiful, unique accommodations like the Romance Bungalows located along the lagoon and the Private Pool Suites which as their name suggests, include your very own private swimming pool. Th
25. Delegation as the Key to Growing Your Travel Agency | Tiffany Wade & Tami Campbell of Tailored Assistant Services
Being a travel agent often feels like you're trying to do an infinite number of things in a finite amount of time. Between building relationships with your clients and partners, answering calls, replying to emails, creating quotes, servicing bookings, training yourself on product, traveling on FAM trips, and actively selling travel packages, many agents also have to market themselves, track commissions and accounting, and perform a load of administrative tasks.
While many agents pride themselves on wearing multiple hats and being able to do it all, they often pay the price by sacrificing their work-life balance; or they spend so much time on smaller tasks that they can’t focus on the most important and high-priority items on their to-do list.
In this episode, Tiffany Wade & Tami Campbell of Tailored Assistant Services explain how using their well-trained personal assistants for your travel agent business can help you manage your time more effectively. By delegating routine tasks and responsibilities, you can free up your own time and resources to focus on your most important tasks and projects; and how much could you grow your business if you only had to do your absolute most important tasks?
Unpacking Palladium Hotel Group with Stefany Jones | Director of Retail Affairs
On this episode of the Modern Travel Agent Podcast, we speak with Stefany Jones, Director of Retail Affairs for Palladium Hotel Group. Stefany has 18 years of experience at prominent travel providers with a focus on account management, marketing and business development.
We discuss the unique selling points for each different Palladium Hotel Group brand and resort including the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre at the Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres, the Chic Cabaret experience in Costa Mujeres, Riviera Maya, and Punta Cana, and the open-ended promotion, “two kids 17 and under stay free in the Family Selection” of Grand Palladium properties. We also discuss the strategic partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, upcoming renovations and refurbishments, and how the Palladium Connect platform can help agents earn more from their bookings.
This episode is sponsored by Palladium Hotel Group, a great travel-agent partner with beautiful resorts and hotels in Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Italy, and Spain.
Record Arrivals in Dominican Republic, Hurricane Fiona, Secrets Impression Moxché Delayed Opening, Pilot Program for Online Passport Renewal, New Leadership at the Top of Apple Leisure Group
On this episode of the Modern Travel Agent podcast, I cover some of the latest and most relevant travel news from the past few weeks which includes:
-Record numbers of arrivals in the Dominican Republic.
-Some temporary and more long-term closures and renovations due to Hurricane Fiona.
-The removal of Covid testing in some major Caribbean Islands.
-A delayed opening for a brand new resort in Playa del Carmen.
-A pilot program for online passport renewal in the US.
-Two different strategic partnerships between some of the biggest hotel brands in the industry.
-And new leadership at the top of Apple Leisure Group.
This episode is brought to you by our partnership with the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. Follow GoDominicanRepublic to learn all about this wonderful destination.
