Why should I hire a travel agent? It's definitely a question worth asking and I'm so glad you did! Here are my top 5 reasons why hiring a travel agent is a no brainer. 1. Time & Stress- I know, I know I listed two reasons instead of one, but these two really go hand in hand! Let’s face it, it takes TIME to research and plan a fabulous getaway. You start scouring the internet for "best trip ideas" or "all inclusive stays" and become crippled by the endless locations, ridiculous number of options, and the amount of time it will take to find just the right thing. It can be VERY stressful! A travel agent knows the right questions to ask in order to pinpoint the destinations that would be the best fit for you, eliminating all of that time and stress spent pouring over websites with a myriad of choices-none of which fit your personal travel style. Once we've narrowed down your search, we then present an appropriate amount of options curated to your personal taste. 2. Expertise- You can google and search for the best trips and deals all you want. The truth is, I get to do this every day and an expert knows where to find the hidden gems. As a Travel Advisor, I am constantly educating myself on destination and product knowledge and I’m traveling as much as I can in order to gain firsthand experience from around the world. Why do all of this? All of this is done in an effort to be better serve my clients and match them with the resort, destination, and experiences to fit the vision they have for their vacation. I invest my own money and time into traveling to these destinations in order to gain first hand knowledge that will aid in elevating YOUR vacation experience. 3. Relationships- This brings me to my third point. Although, I would love to travel to anywhere and everywhere at any given time, it simply isn’t possible for me to have traveled to every destination on planet earth…yet! This is why the relationships that I have formed with my supplier partners and fellow expert colleagues is so important. If I haven’t had the opportunity to visit a certain destination, I know someone who has, and many times will be able to reach out to a colleague who is actually IN destination at any given time. Just as in your own hometown, neighborhoods are always changing, hotels are investing in upgrades to their properties, and the local list of things one must 'eat,see, and do' may have changed. Having established relationships with destination specific partners allows me to gain the most up to date information from those who are either onsite or those who travel to a specific destination multiple times a year. My industry relationships positively impact the experience of my clients! 4. Access - Travel agents have access to a number of special benefits, supplier promotions, and complimentary upgraded amenities through various industry partners that are not available to the general public. This is not a guarantee that every booking will come with some sort of supplier discount, but I can guarantee that if there is one available, I will be will passing it along to my client. 5. Peace of Mind from your Personal Concierge- A travel agent acts as your personal concierge, paying special attention to every detail of your booking, giving you a peace of mind knowing that you are being well taken care of and looked after. I truly care about you and wish for your vacation to be all that you envisioned! I am here for you before departure, while you are traveling, and upon your return. Prior to departure, I am confirming all hotel stays, transfers, and tour reservations, setting up dinner and spa reservations, as well as monitoring your flight schedules. Clients of Vida Travel Co. receive their final travel documents via an app that is complete with organized travel tips, both general and destination specific. When mother nature throws you a curve ball and travel plans change, guess who will be the one spending hours on the phone salvaging your vacation investment-your travel agent instead of you! Our greatest reward is having clients return home feeling that their vacation experience was seamless, carefree, and thoroughly enjoyable!