Dear Travel Agents,

Last week we talked about anxiety and travel, today we will talk about travelers with eccentricities, or as others might call it – being weird.

I strongly believe and suggest that to be a good travel agent we should embrace, accept, and make travelers feel comfortable about being eccentric in any way. The more we can make them feel understood, the less inclined they will be to book online, where Mr. or Ms. ONLINE will not accept, embrace, or make exceptions or accommodations for their eccentricities.

Now that we all agree on that, let’s start naming some eccentricities:

I will go first! Even though I have been to 78 countries, and even traveled back to many of these same countries; I need my own pillow. Not necessarily one specific pillow (because of its shape or form) but the idea of laying my face down (yes, I sleep facing down) on a pillow where many strangers have put their head, grosses me out. The beauty of this is that by talking about it, I have found that many people share this same eccentricity. Now, when I see people going onto airplanes with their own pillows, I smile to myself and I know exactly why the person is doing that.

Another eccentricity (not mine this time) is people who travel with wipes and clean the seat and table before sitting. Have you seen these people? I have! They take extra time when we are all in line trying to place our luggage overhead before taking our seats.

Others need white noise when they sleep in hotels. I have had many travel agents ask me how to make this possible for their clients. I usually suggest that they bring their own noise machine, and make sure to have a converter for electricity. In case they don’t have their own machine, many can use a fan, and that can be requested in most hotels. The sound of the fan will help them get to sleep.

There are so many eccentricities that people have, can you share one? Admitting their personal needs makes travelers more human, and travel agents more useful. Booking ONLINE doesn’t offer an ear or a heart to understand that no matter how expensive or simple a trip is, a human is complicated, and sometimes a little weird like the rest of us.

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Dear Travel Agent,

Let’s talk about something people are very uncomfortable admitting or even discussing: anxiety!

Some travelers have a hard time flying, going through TSA, dealing with long lines in the airports, going to different countries, sleeping on beds that are not their own, being away from family members, and so on.

I am only focusing on anxiety that is related to travel, and we can list so many reasons that a bottle of Xanax would not be enough.

It can be very hard for a traveler or prospective traveler to admit that they are feeling anxious. There seems to be a lot of shame about this, and admitting anxiety can make someone feel vulnerable and maybe even feel that they have a mental disorder.

I have been traveling for over 25 years. I have been to 77 countries (on my way to Japan now, number 78!) I have traveled back to some of the same countries countless times, and I can honestly tell you that I have seen so many people having anxiety about different aspects of travel – INCLUDING myself. It is normal, and a Xanax or a relaxing drink can do miracles!

As a travel agent, do a favor for your travelers or prospective travelers. Share this with them. Share information about anxiety, and help them feel normal. Anxiety is just an overwhelming feeling that comes when a person has no control over what will happen, and instead of going with the flow, they (we) tend to have some insecure thoughts.

Don’t want to drink or use Xanax? There are a lot of great tapes and exercises about meditation and breathing.

Remember that booking online does not bring this type of caring information, and only you, as a travel agent, can!

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Dear Travel Agents,

Which are the countries that are worth traveling to, and even going back to again and again? It is definitely a personal decision, but when a client wants your advice or picks your brain, my suggestion would be for them to go to countries where you can use and enjoy your 5 senses for treasured experiences.

So let’s explore a bit about the traditional 5 senses:

• Audio: this is a very important one. Crowded places can be loud and overwhelming for many people, especially those who are looking for a nice vacation. If you are going to a special event like Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, noise will certainly be something to be expected. Otherwise, look for shoulder season and enjoy more of a quiet trip.
• Vision: can be as overwhelming as audio. Crowded places can make people very uncomfortable, feeling uncertain and unsafe. Many countries have banned outdoor awnings to make it easier on people’s eyes. Also crowded places can cause stress to travelers with an overload of both visual and audio input. This can be a very bad combination, and leave travelers needing a vacation or detox time after the trip.
• Smell: this is one of my favorites. Different countries bring an incredible number of smells. Most aromas are pleasant and create good memories of the trip. Morocco brought me beautiful smells from the souks and delicious Moroccan food. I still crave the smells, and smile every time I think of them.
• Taste: how can you NOT resist tasting local food? Just be smart and avoid street food. Our stomachs are not used to some of the different bacteria and we can easily get food poisoning. Try to eat from good restaurants. Limit yourself to eating fruit after it has been peeled and well-cooked meals, not salad or raw (just washed by tap water). Avoid ice. The water treatment is different from American and Canadian standards. Malaria pills help tremendously and with travel insurance, call a doctor if you need to!
• Last but not least – touch: Touch souvenirs, great presents, different presents – what a great experience. Buying jewelry and trying it on; not only do you use the all of the 5 traditional senses, you are exploring by touching, and after that, how can you resist buying and bringing your prized memento home?

Use all of your 5 senses. Explore using them as much as you can, and come back excited to book the next opportunity to travel using your senses.

Follow me and feel free to ask me questions!

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Dear Travel Agents,

Many of you know I have been to 77 countries since I started my travel business over 25 years ago.  In May I went to Morocco, a country that was long on my bucket list, and I finally had the opportunity to visit.

I have to confess that the pictures and advertisements I had seen did not do justice to what Morocco really is. That’s probably why I had not been there sooner. I believe other countries do a better job of advertising.

We started in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. I highly recommend starting there. The small airport makes it easier and less stressful to manage at the beginning of a land tour.

Fez or Fes is a must; I fell in love with Morocco right there, especially in the vibrant souks (markets) where you can find real deals, and no fakes. Local tour guides show visitors Fez and make you believe in fairy tales. The colors and smells confirm those tales, and you are there with the most friendly people smiling at you.

In Erfoud we experienced the real Sahara and what a treat! From the stories we read in books, to seeing the real thing, again we felt like we were living in a story. Early that night there was a light rain, I was jumping for joy in that immense desert, and rain was blessing the earth. It was impossible to NOT to feel special.

Another one of my favorite places was Ouarzazate –  were we still in Morocco? It was like another world, with houses intrinsically inserted in the mountains, surrounded by oasis, high Atlas Mountains, the gateway to the Sahara.

Yes, I have not forgotten Marrakech or Marrakesh. We had heard about this town and were so excited to visit. My suggestion is to buy all your souvenirs for friends and family in Marrakech, but get the good presents and make the real deals in Fez. Trust me about that 😜.

Casablanca is a big town, very cosmopolitan, and more than you can even imagine. You must visit Hassan II Mosque, the third biggest mosque in the world. It was just incredible!

Why Morocco? Friendly people, each area is like a different country, great wine from Moroccan wineries, fun shopping, from cheap souvenirs to good presents. This is a country where pictures and stories don’t do justice to what your five senses can really experience. A MUST!

For more information and ideas on Morocco, feel free to pick my brain and follow me:

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Dear Travel Agents,

Do you know the difference between a trip, and the trip of a lifetime?

The difference rests in the care we take in putting together each piece of a trip. Actually, every single trip should be a trip of a lifetime, first, because we deserve it. Second, we never know if “the” next trip of a lifetime will ever happen, because life happens.

All trips should be thoughtfully put together by experienced Travel Agents who know how to take care of every detail, from the minute the trip starts as an idea, until one returns home from it.

A client’s age should not be limiting, nor be used as a decision factor for a trip of a lifetime. I have had the opportunity to meet or hear about young and dynamic 80-year-old people who are ready to hike and enjoy great adventure trips.

Budget should also not be used as a decision maker. In that, a travel agent will not judge, nor use personal taste to put together any trip, but view the client’s wishes based on his/her budget. A reality check may be important and making suggestions for all possibilities is the entire responsibility of the Travel Agent.

It is important to guide clients with each trip, not only as if it is a trip of a lifetime, but also as though it is their first one. Many times, clients forget basic information like the validity of their passport, travel insurance, and other information. Don’t assume they should know, remind them kindly, and they will appreciate it. The more they know, the easier it will be to make each and every trip the “trip of a lifetime” for them, and you, the Travel Agent of the Year.

Cheers!

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Facebook @travelwithrosana
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Blogs @www.travelwithrosana.com