Lacy and the Laser

Friends in the Travel Business?

Every industry has its own ins and outs, its own language, its own ambiance and its own "family". The travel industry, however, has a more closely knit "family" than most. Since it is a travel agent's job to focus on fun, friendship, and leisure, it's no wonder many professionals in the tourism industry have developed fast and deep friendships with co-workers. The meaningful relationships that a travel agent nurtures with resort sales managers, cruise lines and tour operators not only make for a great work environment, but also for a quality vacation for clients. While most industries are forced to simply focus on having friendly customer service skills, the travel industry professionals recognize a deeper way to service their clients besides just a smile and polite conversation. Travel agents know that by nurturing their relationships with their suppliers, they will be able to provide a more intimate and satisfying vacation to their client.

Developing a friendly relationship with a supplier allows a travel agent exposure to up and coming resorts and offers that someone outside the industry wouldn't have contact with. Often times a resort manager will provide a travel agent's clients with free upgrades on their vacation because of a close friendship between the agent and manager. New offers, rooms or cruises that have not yet been marketed to the public may be accessible to a travel agent due to his relationship with the cruise line or resort. The travel agent's customer reaps the benefits of a friendship between the agent and supplier in the form of discounts, offers and upgrades.

A close friendship between the travel agent and supplier allows them to share a common goal of great vacation plans and a happy customer. The supplier takes a vested interest in the satisfaction of the client because of the friendship he or she has with the travel agent. The travel agent and supplier can have lengthy conversations on what the client would enjoy and how they can best service the client to exceed expectation. Since the supplier wants to keep an ongoing professional and personal relationship with the travel agent, he or she will work hard to achieve the goal of a satisfied customer and a wonderful vacation.

A travel agent provides the customer with an "in" to the travel industry. This allows more choices for vacation destinations and discounts. A person who is booking a vacation online is seen by the resort manager as a faceless tourist who is staying at the resort for a few nights. A travel agent has the ability to make a friendly phone call to the resort manager to inform him or her of the client's upcoming travel plans. The resort manager can make a note of the client's name and their dates of stay and can offer resort events, upgrades or discounts whenever possible. The personal relationship that an agent has with the supplier can allow the customer to be treated with more care and kindness. The resort owner wants to make sure the customer will have a glowing report of the resort so their friendship and business relationship with the agent can continue to grow strong.

The deep relationships that travel agents form with fellow industry professionals can be risky. When the lines of business and pleasure are blurred, sometimes feelings can be hurt by the choices that are made. Agents have the job of choosing the best vacation for the client while keeping all suppliers happy. Travel agents know that by nurturing their relationships with all suppliers and considering everyone's feelings, they are benefiting the clients by keeping the vacation options open. They work hard to maintain and develop these friendships in the industry because their clients can be offered more opportunities for upgrades and special experiences.

The connections and friendships that a travel agent has in the industry can lead to perks for his or her clients. Suppliers take a rooted interest in the satisfaction of the client because of their history and bond with the travel agent. Suppliers can sometimes go out of their way to ensure an outstanding vacation for customers of an agent they are close with. Although making lasting friendships in the travel industry may be risky for travel agents, they know the benefits their clients can see from these relationships. Agents work hard to nurture their relationships and keep suppliers happy. A travel agent's client can experience more care and kindness throughout their vacation experience because of the friendships their agent has developed. Suppliers like to make their travel agent friends happy and they relate to the common goal of a satisfying vacation for the client.

Playing Hookie

Even though I was out of the office all last week, Philip and I were out of the office today because my little brother was in town for the day. He was on a business trip and had an all day layover in Dallas. Since he lives so far away, we had to take the opportunity to spend the day with him.

Philip picked him up at the airport this morning and we hung out at the house for a little while, went to lunch at Which Wich, then went to see "I Love You, Man" at the movies.

What a bargain movies are while the whole world is at work and school! Only $5.00! Plus, since we'd just eaten we didn't buy any of that overpriced movie food.

Take a day off and play hookie..I highly recommend it. The office will still be there tomorrow!

Slideshow of Rome Pictures

Roaming around Rome

It was one of those ideas you have that seems a long time down the road. My then 13 year old daughter is taking latin in school, which includes the study of Ancient Rome. So, last year I started planning a trip to Rome for Spring Break of her eighth grade year. We got mileage tickets (double connections both ways...ick), we rented an apartment, and we sought recommendations from her Latin teacher about what she should see. As the trip got closer it seemed, as always, that it was a bad time to go. Philip insisted that we go as planned, displaying his greater wisdom, as usual.

We've just returned from that trip. As with every trip there is good and there is room for improvement.

First of all, even with a nine month lead time, the only mileage seats I was able to get required a connection in Chicago and London both ways (not to mention an overnight in London on the way over). We calculated our time in transit for our return journey and it was over 19 hours. That stinks.

Also, I thought that renting an apartment would be fun, affordable and convenient. As it turns out, the particular apartment we rented appears to be the part time residence of an older single gentleman with questionable housekeeping skills. The aroma was so distinct that the first time I opened the suitcase after leaving the apartment, my stomach curdled with the memory that wafted up to my nose. It was disconcerting to find his personal effects throughout the apartment. I'm not just talking about knick knacks and books. I mean that his clothing was hanging in the wardrobe and his underwear was in the drawers. I've stayed in private accommodations before. I've never encountered items left in the accommodation that were not intended for guest use. We were left with nowhere to put our own things and never really felt like we could settle in.

Mostly though, the trip was great. My daughter is a seasoned traveler and very easy going and a delight to travel with. Even though the air journey was long, it was smooth. For our overnight in London on the way over we bunked in at the Yotel. Yotel is everything you would expect from a luxury hotel in a small space. It was was fantastic. We were able to stretch out and get some comfortable sleep and be at least somewhat sane when we arrived in Rome the next day. They had high speed internet, a comfortable bed and a private bathroom.


Incorporating the suggestions we'd gotten from the Latin teacher, we chose three educational walks from Context Rome. I've been on several Context walks and have sent many clients on them as well. As usual, they were stellar. The intimate size of the groups, maximum six participants, make for a great experience. My daughter's favorite was Roma Antica which covers the Colosseum, the Forum and Palatine Hill.

Our apartment was near the Termini Station. I like the location. Although some people find the neighborhood creepy, I think it is the perfect home base for visiting Rome. Since Rome's metro system isn't as complete as in any other European Capitals, being at the crossroads of the two lines is convenient for getting around.

Speaking of Rome's metro system, they are in the midst of constructing a third line. Of course, every time they come across something of archeological significance they have to halt progress and assure that everything is properly excavated and catalogued.

Another highlight of the trip was Italian ice cream, Gelato. We decided that we would stop at every Gelato stand we came across. After the first day it became evident that we would not be able to hold to that standard. There were Gelato places everywhere!

This was the first time I've gone to Europe and only done one destination. Usually I try to experience as many destinations as reasonably possible in my available time. I think I've decided that I prefer the single destination. Because we had plenty of time, we were able to do things like:
practice cartwheels, sleep till afternoon one day. stop whenever we wanted for gelato, shop for socks, or stop for an impromptu haircut.

Mexico Travel Safety

Talkin Trash

Orange Crush from Catherine Banks on Vimeo.

It Happens Every Spring....

Every Spring from Catherine Banks on Vimeo.

Mexico Travel Safety

I want to make a couple of points about the current buzz about Mexico travel safety.

1) The focus of the travel advisory is NOT the tourist areas in Mexico.

2) Here in Dallas we are closer to the areas of concern than Cancun/Riviera Maya is. So, if you're concerned about being near to harms way, you'd better go on vacation ASAP.

Funjet Show 2009

Hint: The bling isn't silver.....