Dear Travel Agents/Advisors,

How many times have you heard a traveler ask if a trip is refundable, or if an airline ticket (always the most economical, of course) is refundable, and so on.

I always told the travel agents I worked with that life and time are non-refundable; the weeks pass whether we like them or not, and we cannot get a do over just because we were not happy with them, or we were sick, or any other reason.

It feels like just yesterday we were celebrating New Year’s 2019 – and now the stores are already promoting Halloween! How could time have gone so quickly? I really feel like I want a refund for the first almost 10 months of 2019.

Seriously, we all know that we will work hard to make these last months of this year our best. Hopefully, many of us are on the right path, even if only making small steps towards the realization of a big dream.   Hopefully the setbacks of this year are making us stronger and teaching us to become more positive about who we really are.

So, the next time your clients ask about their trips being refundable, just remember this blog about time and life, and offer something that many don’t think of purchasing in REAL LIFE – like Trip Insurance.

Trip Insurance can only give back the money spent on a trip, not the memories or the experience itself – but definitely the material things like money.

Go ahead, continue making their dreams come true! So many people need an expert to take care of their vacations, holidays and trips. And before they realize that real life can happen, make sure they have insurance.

To life, to beautiful memories, and to unforgettable experiences.

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

 

Dear Travel Agents/Advisors,

Let’s talk about REAL ID for travelers. I want to hear your opinions on this issue and check to see if your clients have been asking you about it.

I have heard from many friends here in Los Angeles that they wasted about 4 hours of their precious time getting their REAL ID. Hearing that, I got a knot on my stomach because patience is not one of my virtues and waiting in big lines causes me anxiety. I asked them if they had appointments and they told me that they certainly did, and despite that, they spent about 4 hours there.

My driver’s license needs to be renewed in November of this year.  I’ve been debating with me, myself and I (the three of us, LOL!) if I should get my REAL ID, or just renew by mail and bring along my passport when I travel inside the US.

I also have another issue with my driver’s license. In 2005 I had a LASIK surgery done on my eyes because I was nearsighted, and in 2012 (when I was 50 years old) I started to need eyeglasses because I became farsighted, so I had PRK surgery. Since then, I don’t need eyeglasses anymore. My vision in both eyes is 20/20 but one eye sees far and the other is sees close. Because of this, I can’t pass the DMV eye test; I need a letter from my doctor explaining the procedure. Not everyone at the DMV understands this.

Well, despite the knowledge of my friends’ experience, my inability to deal with lines, waiting, and anxiety, all topped off with concern over my eyesight blessings (?), I decided to try to get my REAL ID, and made an appointment for 09/11 at 9am at the Hollywood DMV.

On Wednesdays they open at 9am. I arrived there at 8:15am (yes, I like to be early) and the line was already around the corner. But, there is a special line for those with appointments. Thanks to my husband for being so detail oriented – he noticed this small, little sign close to the door while I went to get into line.

About 45 minutes later, I was number ONE in line for appointments (did I say thanks to my husband?) and in 20 MINUTES I was out.

I had brought all the required paperwork, I sent in my form online prior to my appointment, and I had everything ready to show them.

Were they friendly? Well, I asked very politely to see how my picture looked and the agent said, “There are others waiting in line!”  At least I can say they were very professional!

When it came to the eye test, I provided my eye doctor’s paperwork (which I got from their website) and the person knew exactly what it was all about!

Maybe if I wasn’t number 1 in line, I could have saved 45 minutes from my waiting time and been there on time at 9am, or only 10 minutes prior.  I could have done all in 30 minutes with no wait. Lesson learned!

I highly recommend getting the REAL ID, especially if you need to renew your driver’s license soon. Please make an appointment, organize your paperwork, and if possible, get acquainted with the DMV you will be visiting prior to the appointment so you don’t wait in the big line together with the “walk-ins.”

Let me know your experience with REAL ID has been!  I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

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

 

 

 

 

Dear Travel Agents/Advisors,

I have to confess that I spend a lot of time on social media, mostly on Facebook and Instagram seeing what my “friends” post. I have noticed that most people have a style when on social media. When I read a post, I can usually tell who posted it before even looking at the name. Some people are advertising very directly, other posts are God/Jesus oriented, some people talk about personal issues, and others share their feelings about how tired they are about life in general. Some people are extremely political, some just want to wish a good morning or beautiful day. Get where I am going?

I believe that the posts reflect how these “friends” are in real life very predictably. Some I would be happy to deal with and have around me, but honestly, there are others I would prefer to keep at a distance.

Why am I saying this? If you are using your Facebook for business and/or promoting your business at any level, think of how you want to present yourself to your prospective clients; how you want people to see you. Social media is a window to the world.

When someone consults with me about how to grow his/her business, I ask to see their social media so I can understand a bit more about who that person is. I ask questions about what I am seeing, my understanding of what they post, and if that person is presenting themselves in the way others should see them as well.

We should use social media as a vehicle to promote who we are as a person. We want to attract the right people closer to us, and to build a nice niche where we can feel comfortable being ourselves. This is the niche group that will hopefully cheer for us, get excited with us, and where we feel comfortable being ourselves. It doesn’t matter how many “friends” or “followers” we have since we are building a good and strong base of people.

Think about who you really are and if your social media reflects your true self. Then, friends and followers will come naturally.

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

 

Dear Travel Agents/Advisors,

Have you ever wondered why, where, and when is travel so important for people? Are you able to respond when someone asks you these things?

Let’s start with why travel is important. Even for the people who say they are afraid of traveling, think they don’t need to, or scream from the top of their lungs that they can not afford to. Going to a pleasant environment – even if it’s only for a short time, gives someone feelings of peace, forgiveness, new hope, new aspirations and many other positive thoughts. It is like walking on a new path after going in circles for so long. The fact is, a pattern gets broken, and a person can then see the same situation with a different vision or sight.

Where should a person travel? Going back to the idea of a person walking in circles and then breaking a pattern so they experience a different vision over their lives, I would go a little deeper and ask where it is that they feel most at peace or more fulfilled. Some like the desert, others need to be close to the water. I love being near the forest and animals. Luckily, the world offers all kinds of geography and topology for all kinds of people and budgets.

When should people travel? The ideal answer is as often as they need or want to, even if just for a weekend to a place that is “almost just around the corner.”  Some people only consider it travel when they are able to get far away from home. I wish I could do this every other month (while in good health!)

Whenever and wherever you go, make sure to disconnect from worries, from old and negative behaviors, and try to enjoy every single minute you have ahead. Absorb all the good and positive energy to reinvigorate yourself, so when you’re back to walking in circles again, you can see the sun, smell the flowers, and feel the presence of your new self.

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