Dear Travel Agent,

Today is 09/11 and I wanted to talk about my favorite thing in this entire world. The thing that heals people, makes people richer, and more united: TRAVEL.

When the country feels so divided, and people spend so much time posting about differences, about HATE, putting others down for their beliefs and opinions, I still want to believe that we can heal each other with positive thoughts, good energy and love each other. After all, we are in this world for a short time. Time is the very essence of healing and doing good, and then when we least expect it, poof, we are gone.

Hate is a horrible disease. It’s like taking poison and expecting the other person to die, but we all know what happens to the one who takes the poison.

Let’s convert negative thoughts and postings into positive ones. Let’s use our energy to learn more, travel, gain experience from different cultures, embrace and celebrate our differences.

Look again at the subject of this blog: Have A Travel Experience (H A T E): What if instead of bad thoughts and bad words we converted them all into positive actions?

Let’s teach our kids and the next generations to agree to disagree, to respect differences and to learn from within. And more importantly, to use our time wisely and selflessly, because life is beautiful and our time is short.

Travel the world, make friends everywhere, and love yourself first.

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

Dear Travel Advisor,

With over 25 years in the travel business, I have watched plenty of people make the same mistakes I made in the beginning of my career: assuming that clients would not be able to afford “expensive” trips based on what I thought of and understood as “expensive”!

Certainly, “expensive” is in the eyes of the beholder. Putting a value on anything is based on personal experience, and for that, you have to ASSUME that your personal experience is the same as everyone else’s!

When we ASSUME that others have the same values, opinions and experiences as us, we also risk judging others, and in doing that, we risk losing business and even friends.

In the controversial and divided country we are living in, my words of advice to succeed in business is to put differences aside and focus on the positives we share. Let’s share love, and motivation to grow, and be happy. Now, more than ever, let’s share love quotes, travel quotes and motivational quotes.

Going back to what we consider “expensive,” don’t be afraid to send quotes to clients. Most times, their reality is different than what we PRESUME or ASSUME, and they will love us just because we took the time to work hard to make their dreams come true!

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

Dear Travel Agent,

When your clients ask for recommendations for restaurants or specialty stores in different countries, where do you go for that information?

Because I have traveled so often, I have created a list of my favorite restaurants by cuisine, and where in each county I can purchase the best things at the most affordable prices.

When I had my Tour Operator business, I loved sharing this information with the travel agents I did business with. I knew I was providing them with great information to give/share with their clients.

Neither search engines nor websites can give this type of personal service to clients. It was a big bonus to be able to relate to each individual client and understand their needs. To hear their wish lists, and then give them some kind of information, as a friend would recommend a good restaurant or what they should look to shop for. Obviously, taste is personal and what I like is not necessarily what you like. I always made sure to tell them that. In terms of goods, I always said that if something seems too good to be true, it is NOT true, DO NOT BUY IT!

A piece of advice I gave to my travel agent clients was for them to ask their clients the names of movies they like. Usually, if people have the same taste in movies and/or books, food tastes would be similar as well.

I believe that a Travel Advisor/Agent can be both an educator and a learner.  By learning, we gather all the best information to share with our clients, and by educating, we make their travel easier:

• Explain about travel insurance
• Get to know your client’s needs
• Let them know what the countries offer in terms of shopping for goods
• Tell them about some nice restaurants

And if you don’t know that information? Ask your vendor/tour operator. Remember, you are a client too!

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

Dear Travel Agent,

I don’t watch much TV, but I love watching Judge Judy and The People’s Court. I just love it!

Imagine my surprise when I saw Judge Marilyn Milian ruling on a case between a traveler who was suing a travel agent who organizes travel for women to over 120 countries, where she goes together with the group.

The plaintiff wanted her money back because she fell and hurt herself 10 days before the trip, and OF COURSE she felt it was the defendant’s OBLIGATION to give back the money she had paid.

Judge Milian asked the plaintiff if she had ever heard about Travel Insurance, and if she had purchased any. Sure enough, she had not.

The plaintiff then explained that she tried to put together the same tour package online, and the price she came up with was much lower than the defendant sold her packages for.

Judge Milian was horrified by the plaintiff’s words. She said that for the price of the trip that the plaintiff had put together with help of the internet, one could not even go from New York to the Bronx. LOL!

Judge Milian asked the plaintiff why she expected someone else to pay for her own misfortune, when travel insurance was available and would have taken care of it.

To those who know the show, after the verdict, the parties come out and make a statement. In this case, the plaintiff came out saying she didn’t agree with the Judge. She said an attorney she spoke to before the show said she was entitled to get all her money back.

I could not understand how after all the Judge said and explained to the plaintiff, she CONTINUED to believe she could cancel a trip just because she couldn’t travel. How clueless, selfish, and self-centered can a person be?

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

Dear Travel Agent,

I often see the work of a travel agent being compared to other professions. Many of these comparisons are to highlight the value of working with an agent. But, some critics believe that working with an agent is an “ancient” idea. When I hear that, I think about the work of a matchmaker.

A matchmaker makes sure that the right two people fall in love. He or she finds out all important details about each “candidate” and then, finds the right “match” for each one.

Today, there are so many apps for matchmaking, but there are also a lot of frogs out there. Some people are weirdos, some misrepresent themselves, and it seems that very few are true. Try this kind of matchmaking at your own risk! Their disclaimers should read, “We are not responsible for you hurting yourself.”

What a good human matchmaker can offer is making the whole process of finding the right “match” less stressful and more pleasant. It adds a human touch.

This is exactly what a travel agent does. Agents are caring people who make sure travelers fall in love with their vacations. By consulting with clients about their likes and dislikes, they can assist clients in finding the perfect destination for their trip. Travelers then have great experiences, and come back happy and ready to continue living their lives.

Call me a dreamer, call me a person who still believes in the importance of the human touch, especially in love and travel.

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

Dear Travel Agents,

Throughout my professional life I have received many inquiries about when it’s best to recommend a cruise, or, why a person should take a cruise.

I always like to explain my answers with a comparison to something people do and feel very comfortable with. I compare traveling to eating. It’s something everyone does and most, I am sure, enjoy it.

The experience of taking a cruise can be compared to having a dinner of a lot of appetizers, instead of one big entree. By tasting a bunch of appetizers, a person has the opportunity to experience and enjoy many flavors, all while having lots of fun. Afterward, the person can decide if the next time they visit that restaurant, she/he wants to enjoy a full entree based on a specific appetizer, or if that sampling of many appetizers was enough, and fulfilling.

Does that make sense? For that reason, I just love a cruise. Now, what kind of cruise?

With food, some people prefer the more popular chain-type restaurants, where you know you will feel comfortable no matter how you go, behave or dress. Some prefer restaurants with table linens, a maître d’ and more formal, with no kids running around, and so on. Others, especially for those where money is not an issue, enjoy 1 or 2 Michelin starred restaurants, and prix fixe menus where a very famous chef decides on the menu.

This is a bit like comparing the different types of cruise ships. There are the more popular, the middle range, and the more expensive ones where everything is included.

Make sure you match your client to the right cruise ship. Question them how they like to eat, and whether they enjoy appetizers or prefer a dinner based on a main entree.

Clients can always take something for seasickness such as Pepto Bismol after  indigestion, but you can’t substitute a cruise experience when people prefer one big and well dreamed about main dish, and all you’ve offered them was many appetizers.

For more about cruises and land tours follow me at:
Instagram @travelwithrosana
Facebook @travelwithrosana
Twitter @travelRosana
Blogs@ http://www.travelwithrosana.com

Dear Travel Agents,

Those who read my blogs know how much I like to encourage travel agents to do their best; to show their clients and prospective clients all the reasons to enjoy and plan fun travels.

Today, I want to talk about “when life happens.” How to keep your head up, avoid throwing in the towel, and keep yourself strong because – life happens! To you, and everyone you love or care for!

As a travel agent, travel insurance is the most important thing you can offer to provide peace of mind to those who have planned a trip. It is a great investment and saves travelers headaches and money. As a friendly travel agent and friend, remind them that rebooking a trip is a nice way to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and is a great way to celebrate when life allows plans that were once put on hold to be put back on track.

Life is precious and we all should take a moment to be thankful for all the great things we have, appreciate all the loving and kind people who cross our paths, and believe that life is a marvelous miracle that God, or a supreme force, creates every day.

Life is beautiful. We should celebrate every day, and honestly, I believe that traveling is the best gift we can give to ourselves, not only because it is a gift, but because it is one of the best ways to learn more about ourselves.

God bless you all with lots of learning and travel, with the help of awesome travel agents.

Follow me at:
Facebook @travelwithrosana
Instagram @travelwithrosana
Twitter @travelRosana
Blogs @travelwithrosana

Dear Travel Agent,

During a summer week in July, I took my Brazilian friend on a 4-day vacation to Las Vegas, where it was 105F. It was crowded and expensive because Microsoft was having a convention for 40,000 people, and if I did not make it clear enough, it was hot!

People from all parts of the US were there, lots of kids (?) and foreigners, (even my friend from Brazil).

I was wondering what it is that makes this such a great destination – especially in the summer.

Why do families bring kids to a smoking, drinking, and gambling environment?

Why do people go to such an expensive destination to experience walking into an oven, even at 10pm?

Maybe you are wondering why I chose Las Vegas to take my friend. Actually, it was more her choice. I would have preferred a more low-key place that is less crowded, with cooler weather and definitely not a smoking or gambling destination. She loves the glamour of Las Vegas, and I was happy to please my friend, despite it all.

What are your thoughts?

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

Dear Travel Agent,

There was a time, some time ago, long before the Millennials, when travel was only for the rich. Most Americans couldn’t afford to travel to foreign countries. And, forget about the Chinese or Russians, or people from other nations.

Travel was basically for rich Americans dressed in Hawaiian shirts with flashy cameras around their necks.

I remember it well, living in Brazil where everyone had to speak English for them.

Fast forward to today, the world has changed. Travel has become more affordable. In Brazil, for example, people are learning Chinese, Japanese, Russian and other languages to accommodate the demand of incoming tourists. Travel for Americans is now for people of all classes, not only just the most affluent can go.

Tour packages and cruises are more affordable, and people can pay in installments.

Travel is not a luxury, it is a necessity for people to discover themselves, re-energize, meet others with the same interests, and make the world a much more loving place.

And how about travel agents? Like good jeans, they have gone through changes. Some are more fit, others offer more flexibility, but they never go out of style. They’re always comfortable and ready to be used, and are reliable for ALL occasions, even for those fun black tie events!

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

Dear Travel Agent,

There is a saying that says: if you lie, you need to have a good memory.
Well, I guess I have been blessed with bad memory, LOL!
I am not good at lying and honestly, I prefer to tell my clients (previously travel agents) the truth. We create a better bond and trust is established.
Why am I writing this?
How many times do we not know anything about a destination, but don’t want to sound “stupid” to our clients? How many times do we completely forget to send a quote to a client? Or, even request a quote for them?

Come on, we are humans. We’re not perfect and life, real life, gets in the way.
But, we want to sound professional. Almost as perfect as our beautiful business cards or website. Even as good as our social media presence. So what if we tell a “white” lie: the email stayed at the draft box, we sent it, but don’t know why you didn’t receive it, or, sure I know all about Tanzania but let me call you back, another call is coming in.

Well, how about you smile, even over the phone, throw up your hands and say, your business is important to me and I care about you but all I know is Tanzania is close to Australia. But, I will find out everything you need to know – give me …… hours/days (a realistic time) and I will do an amazing tour for you and your family. I can guarantee you will love it so much that you will recommend me to your friends, family, and people you don’t even know well.

Be honest, be yourself, be you! Life happens. You’re different than search engines and machines. You and your prospective clients are human, and that makes the best connection a most sincere and honest one!

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