Dear Travel Agent,

In this world of social media, it is sometimes complicated to differentiate between a flattering compliment and something not as nice when someone replies to a post with the word, as I quote, “Stealing!”

I am sure that most who replied to my post with that word loved what I said! And I love to create quotes that travel agents want to REPOST (share) with their audience, OR COPY, but adding my name at the bottom, because I was the one who created it.

Anyone can STEAL posts, and add to them, or make believe that they were the ones who came up with that quote. I can’t COPYRIGHT each and every one of my quotes or the blogs I create, nor is my intention.

I believe for some people, REPOSTING (sharing) is like second nature. They see a post they like, they share it. Not another thought will come to them. But others, the same way, will not think twice but to like a post and “STEAL” the idea, and then post it on their social media as though they created it.

Honestly, I am not judging anyone.
I am trying to explain my side, where I spend hours creating quotes and blogs with the intention of giving travel agents more enthusiasm in their work, and paying forward what I got for over 23 years. I’ve worked with so many agents by having a tour operator business, being a cheerleader, and offering to all my guidance for FREE.

Maybe in a world where everything has a price tag on it, it is hard to believe that someone like me could really and honestly want to guide and help travel agents to succeed for FREE, just for the pleasure of seeing others achieve what I did.

Yes, I said it, feel free to pick my brain for FREE. Feel free to ask me questions, feel free to schedule conversations with me so I can GUIDE you to succeed in your business. ALL FOR FREE!

But please, REPOST (share) my quotes and blogs but don’t “STEAL” them. I deserve the respect of getting credit when I create something.

Follow me at:
Facebook @travelwithrosana
Instagram @travelwithrosana
Twitter @travelRosana
Blogs www.travelwithrosana.com

Dear Travel Agent,

There have been warnings to travelers about criminal attempts and incidents since long before I started my first tour operator business. I could write a whole book of stories about travelers and travel agents who felt scared to go places once something bad had happened.

After 09/11, people were afraid to travel to Europe. Honestly, there was no severe warning or specific threat to people who traveled there. Therefore, travelers were unable to cancel their travel plans without penalties, nor were they able to use their travel insurance because of those incidents.

I clearly remember another time when there was an explosion in a mall in Kenya. We were planning a FAM Trip to the country, and a couple wanted to cancel the trip based on this incident. Unfortunately, the threat to travelers was not sufficient to get the cancelation without penalties and fees.

The same thing happened in 2014 on a FAM Trip to Israel when we took 2 groups of 20 people. One couple was completely concerned about their safety in Israel.

Check the website https://travel.state.gov and if a country has a DO NOT TRAVEL warning, then it is time to ask for your money back. Otherwise, consider traveling, and exercising normal precautions.

Common sense: Traveling is a time that should not be filled with worry about anything else but having fun and creating the best memories. Do not travel with expensive jewelry, don’t become a target by wearing Hawaiian shirts and a camera around your neck, don’t flash your brand new and latest model cell phone, especially in third-world countries where they barely have money to eat and the chances of being pick-pocketed are high.

My advice is to travel with tour guides and in small groups, even if you speak the language and think you know the country. Common sense is a precious component to having the best trip ever, and a step toward guaranteeing the utmost security.

Follow me at:
Facebook @travelwithrosana
Instagram @travelwithrosana
Twitter @travelRosana
Blogs@ http://www.travelwithrosana.wordpress.com

Dear Travel Agent,

Now is the time to present yourself to the world (your world) and proudly introduce you!

First, find a title that best matches your personality and that people can easily relate to you. Many like to be called Travel Agent. Some prefer to be called Travel Expert (perhaps they specialize in a specific area) and others call themselves Travel Consultants.  My two-cents on this is to be creative, yet at the same time, don’t make them run away from you. If you wish, find a title that can used as a conversation piece once anyone asks what do you do, but by the same token, don’t be so creative that you scare them away.

I compare this with choosing a name for a child. It is nice to have a unique name, but you need to consider that they will have to spell it at school and at work, or that it might lead to a nickname you’d prefer they didn’t have.

I could write his whole blog post about your title, but let’s move ahead and talk about YOU. Let’s make you shine! How? I like this question a lot (LOL!)

We will not talk about social media now, let’s talk about another way of presenting yourself. Do you go places? Do you interact with other people? Do you have a job? Choose to wear pieces that will provide a conversation starter; wear a pin from Alaska, a scarf from Cancun, a bracelet or tie from Jamaica, drink from a bottle from Barbados. When traveling, purchase different souvenirs and wear them on regular basis. Let people ask you about where you got that item, and then talk about what you do. Then, give them your business card. Always have them handy!

And if they don’t talk to you? Talk to them! People like compliments; say something nice about what they are wearing or their hair (be careful in this department – men are sensitive about their baldness, and women don’t always like theirs) and they’ll talk back. Show and tell, like and be nice.

For your business card, and most importantly, on all social media, I recommend that you have your picture, at least of your face. Don’t use one from when you were in high school, but choose a newer one, and SMILE! The most beautiful feature on any person is a sincere, friendly smile.

Now you are ready to make your presentations and send your proposals!  YOU ROCK!

Feel free to pick my brain and follow me at:
Facebook @travelwithrosana
Instagram @travelwithrosana
Twitter @travelRosana
Blog @ http://www.travelwithrosana.wordpress.com

Dear Travel Agent,

As many of you remember. I had a tour operator business for over 23 years. I worked hand-on with travel agents, talking with them, and teaching them how to best serve their clients.

One point we always stressed was how to present a proposal to the client and prospective ones.

The biggest question was how much information to send, and how to send it.

Many agents just wanted to send a price and what the tour package included. I used to say that that was fine for those clients who wanted to compare with another quote. Like going to a farmer’s market and shopping for tomatoes: people have choices and can clearly see size, color and price. In some cases, they are lucky enough to be able to taste a little piece to help them make up their minds.

With tour packages, you are not just selling a product, you are selling more; a dream with your services attached to it. Give them what they really want. Send them some pictures, some tips about the destination, some important information about traveling. I said SOME not all, engage them to let them know you are not just a middle person, but your knowledge and experience will help them have a successful trip. Sell yourself in this proposal.

I remember my first proposal as a travel agent, 25 years ago. It was a honeymoon to Greece. Honestly, I didn’t even know where Greece was. I couldn’t Google, it did not exist yet. I personally went to a library and learned as much as I could. Then I got a tour operator who helped me. With all this new knowledge, my prospective clients became my first clients. Unfortunately, their marriage didn’t last – but they loved their honeymoon!

Your proposal is your chance to sell yourself! Learn more, and feel free to pick my brain!

Follow me at:
Facebook @travelwithrosana
Instagram @travelwithrosana
Twitter @travelRosana
Blogs @www.travelwithrosana.wordpress.com