24 May Travel Talk: Benefits of Travel Agents & Memorial Day Weekend Travel
In this week’s travel talk segment, we are highlighting the benefits of using travel agents to book your next getaway, plus tips for Memorial Day weekend travel and more. Read on below!
Travel agents help plan perfect getaways
Even with the rise of using the internet to plan vacations, travel agents are still finding themselves busy. Their planning expertise is invaluable, according to Business Journal Daily. “You’ve either used an agency in your past and realized the benefit or you’ve just gotten sick and tired of the research,” says Lisa Soletro Franks, owner of Palazzo Travel, Cortland. “It’s primarily a savings in time and we have some knowledge that you may not.”
Another reason to use travel agents? With endless options readily available online, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with choices and the sheer volume of information out there. Travel agents can help you sift through this information and weed out misleading headlines or offers. Travel agents also have their own professional networks and connections with tour operators and sales representatives in the industry.
Source: https://businessjournaldaily.com/travel-agents-help-plan-perfect-getaways/
Traveling by car this Memorial Day? Here’s a road trip checklist
This article from USA Today tells the story of the Wasson family, who are preparing for a two-and-a-half hour drive from Springfield, Missouri to Echo Bluff State Park. Caroline Wasson planned the entire trip from start to finish. This includes shows and movies pre-downloaded on their tablets for the car ride. In addition, Caroline has card games, swimming, bonfires and other holiday festivities planned when they arrive to the State Park.
In addition to preparing activities for the road and for the weekend, Caroline and her husband also made sure to prep their Ford F-150 pickup that is towing the 27-foot RV. “We make sure we check the tires. We’ve checked the brakes and also the spare tires. My husband fills up with gas before … heading on the road,” Caroline says. Read the full article for tips on car maintenance and travel planning at the link below.
Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2019/05/23/memorial-day-2019-travel-heres-checklist-your-road-trip/3751759002/
An investigative look into the wildlife tourism industry
Want to respect wildlife during your travels? This helpful article from National Geographic is a good place to start! Specifically, the article focuses on Elephant Valley Thailand. This forest property is located on the outskirts of Chiang Rai. Chiang Rai is a small city in northern Thailand. Elephant Valley Thailand was the fifth elephant attraction that writer Natasha Daly visited that week. She had witnessed horrible conditions at some of the others, including the animals chained to posts by their ankles at some.
Elephant Valley on the other hand, was quiet and peaceful, even for the animals. Here, no one was allowed to touch the animals. Instead, people flock here to watch elephants just be elephants. Elephant Valley Thailand ”was the most responsible elephant sanctuary that we visited,” says author Natasha Daly. Read more about this great wildlife tourism destination at the link below.
Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/features/what-i-learned-covering-wildlife-tourism/
How to avoid 10 common travel scams
From corrupt cab drivers to “free” gifts – this article from Washington Post can help you navigate away from common travel scams you may encounter in another country. For instance, to avoid scamming cabbies, never hail a cab from the street. Instead, ask a reputable establishment to call a cab for you. Alternately, you could hire a licensed taxi through an official outpost. You should also know the general cost of every ride you set out on. You can find this out by asking the hotel concierge or consulting an online fare calculator.
To avoid scams like “free” gifts, never accept unsolicited gifts. You especially don’t want to let any sellers place an item such as a bracelet on your wrist. They may hustle you into buying it once its wrapped around your arm. Read more tips for avoiding travel scams at the link below.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/10-common-travel-scams–and-how-to-avoid-them/2019/05/23/a2f4565e-3b92-11e9-aaae-69364b2ed137_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.7589d5215dfb
Call us today to book your next getaway. You can reach us at 402-390-9291.