Bradley Schnickel speaks to the importance of choosing the right travel advisor
Over many years of experience, Bradley Schnickel understands that there are many things that make a travel advisor a good fit for clients. Expertise, a passion for travel, patience and deft negotiation skills are all important. Perhaps the most important thing to consider when hiring a travel advisor, however, is how well you are able to work with that individual to achieve your travel planning goals.
Travel advising is an interactive experience
Long gone are the days when travel agents were the gatekeepers of information and guidance surrounding travel. The internet can now answer virtually every question a prospective traveler has. With increased access to information and easy communication possibilities, why work with a travel advisor to plan your experiences?
Bradley Schnickel believes the answer lies in the personalized services he provides to his clients. Assisting people with trip planning goes well beyond guiding them toward certain properties or packages. A great travel advisor works closely with clients to fully understand their goals and needs. Only then can the best possible trip be structured to meet those expectations.
Never allow yourself to be treated like a number
Many businesses treat clients and customers like numbers on a spreadsheet. The goal is to move them through the buying process as quickly as possible. Bradley Schnickel has seen this approach time and again in the travel industry, and urges you to never allow yourself to become little more than a mathematical equation.
Find a travel advisor who is willing to take the time to get to know you as an individual, and who understands what you and your family are looking for in a vacation experience. Great travel advisors are looking to build lasting relationships with their clients, not just sell packages and move on to the next person in line. If you feel rushed or unheard, simply move on and search for an advisor who is willing to partner with you to create memorable travel experiences.
Stay connected before and after your trip
Your participation is an essential part of the process. You’ll obviously be in contact with your travel advisor as your trip approaches, but make an effort to connect from time to time even after you return. Not only does Bradley Schnickel enjoy hearing about his clients’ vacations, he also likes to stay connected as they add to their families, change jobs, or even relocate.
As the years pass, your travel preferences and needs will also shift and change. Staying in contact with your travel advisor helps ensure you create outstanding travel experiences in the future. This is especially true if you have a bucket list vacation experience you’d like to plan some day in the future. Your advisor can stay abreast of changes in the travel industry and help you decide when the time is right to take those once-in-a-lifetime trips.