How to Determine if a Travel Agency is Reputable


When planning a business trip or family vacation, using a well-educated travel agency is an extremely helpful way to book your getaway without any stress. However, not just any agency will get the job done efficiently. You will want to invest with one that has a reputation for getting the job done and going the extra mile for their customers. This means you may need to do some homework in order to verify that any agency you do business with is in fact a reputable one. Here are some basic tips on how to pick the best travel agency for you.

Longevity

When considering a travel agency in which to do business with, longevity is a factor in which to keep in mind. While being in business for twenty years does not guarantee the agency is the best in the area, it does indicate they have enough going for them to stay in business. Avoid any travel agency that is not at least a couple years old, unless you know the owners and staff very well. Building a good reputation takes time. The new kids on the block may be excellent, but they may not be worth the risk of using to plan that once-in-a-lifetime vacation that you want to go perfectly.

Local Presence

Along with longevity, it is a good idea to see what ties the agency has to the local business community. A good place to begin looking is with your local Chamber of Commerce, or other business association. In comparison with businesses of all types, a travel agency that tends to be community minded and customer-centric is very likely to take part in the events around town in some manner. Membership in local business clubs and organizations is a good sign the agency is serious about what it does, which is exactly what you want.

References

References are always an excellent indicator of whether or not a travel agency has a good reputation. Toss the name of the agency out to your co-workers, friends, neighbors and other acquaintances around town. There is a good chance someone has either dealt with the agency or knows someone who did. Make sure to speak directly to the source rather than attempt to obtain opinions through a third party. It is too easy for something important to be left out or misunderstood as the information goes through several people.
Customer Care

Drop in at the agency and see how they deal with potential customers who wander in off the street. If you are greeted with a friendly smile, invited to come in and sit, or offered a cup of coffee, you can learn a lot about the business model and integrity that the agency holds. It would be worth your while to investigate a little further.

At this point, you may share a few general remarks, such as “I’m thinking of taking a trip to the mountains in a few months, and I wondered what you could do for me.” If the response is to toss a couple of brochures your way, followed by a quick nod toward the door, then you know this agency is not right for you. On the other hand, if you are invited to sit down and discuss the possible vacation in more detail, it is a strong indicator that the agency wants to earn your business and respect.
Asking Questions

The type of questions asked by the agent is also a good way to judge the reliability and reputation of the agency. When small details such as preferences in room types, accommodations for any allergies you may have, and preferences in the mode of travel are mentioned by the agent, you know they really do want to design a travel package that is to your liking. An agency with more interest in collecting your hard-earned money will simply lay out a few generic package deals and invite you to choose one. Go with the agency that will take the time to customize your travel plans to suit your needs.

Always ask questions regarding matters such as up front deposits on packages, payment terms, customer support during your trip, and the ability to change your travel plans in the event of an emergency. Reputable agencies will provide straightforward answers to these types of queries and not attempt to use fifty words when a one word answer will do. While you receive these answers, notice whether or not the agent is looking you in the eye. People who are not afraid to face you squarely when they talk are much more likely to be ethical, honest, and in general very reliable.

Other Factors

While price is not necessarily a factor when it comes to determining if an agency is reputable or not, beware of any agency that trots out the issue of cost and waves it like a red flag. It is perfectly permissible for the agent to ask you regarding how much you would like to spend for the trip, but it is not a good sign if he or she begins to wave discounted packages in your face before getting any solid ideas of what you want.

Choosing a reputable travel agency is a combination of assessing their standing in the community in terms of what others think, along with your own personal impressions of the agents when you make that first critical contact. Keep in mind your first impression is likely to be the right one. If you do not feel good about the meeting, then continue your search for the best travel agency.

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Things to Bring on a Camping Trip


The enjoyment that can be had from a camping trip largely depends on the camping gear that people bring to camp. When people bring all the right gear at camp and make use of them then the trip becomes a relaxing and fun experience for everyone. Missing essential gear and supplies can result in frustrations at the camp site, ruining the whole experience for everyone.

Below is a list of the things that you should bring to camp to ensure the safety of the campers and to enhance the enjoyment at camp.

Bring a good-sized tent to camp. The tent will protect you from the sun, wind and other harsh elements outdoors. There are a lot of camping tents in the market so it shouldn't be too hard to find a good tent that will fit your budget and meet your needs. The camp will serve as your temporary home at camp so make sure you have enough space for everyone joining the trip.

Bring food and cooking equipment. Food is the most essential item to bring to camp. Make sure you bring enough food to last the whole trip and bring food that won't easily spoil. You will also need some basic cooking equipment such as a camping stove or a camping grill. To keep your food from spoiling and to enjoy cold drinks at camp, you should also bring a good-sized cooler.

For the ultimate comfort in camp, don't forget to bring portable beds. Portable beds are much more comfortable to use than traditional sleeping bags. Sleeping on a portable bed will allow you to have a good night's rest so that you will get enough energy to enjoy all the activities at camp the following day. Having a portable cot will also help campers stay warm during cold nights and cool during warm nights because they will be a few feet above ground instead of sleeping directly on the ground. Portable beds can also be used during the day when you want to take a short nap or rest after a tiring activity at camp.

For safety at camp, you should bring a first aid kit that contains aspirin, bandages, gauze, pads, insect-repellant, and other health and safety supplies. The first aid kit will help you treat minor injuries at camp. For your safety, you should also bring other safety supplies such as ropes, a Swiss knife and other emergency gear. You should also bring a good flashlight or other possible sources of light.

Bring a supply of water. There is no assurance that the tap water at camp will be safe to drink. Make sure you bring a supply of water to use for drinking and cooking. Water is heavy so you probably won't be able to bring a lot but you should at least bring enough for drinking.

There are also some non-essential things that you can bring to camp that will help keep the people at camp entertained such as board games, a camera, binoculars and other items.

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Cheap Ski Vacations


If you are a student, you probably do not have a budget for travel. Overwhelming expenses for loans, room and board, textbooks and other incidentals make it nearly impossible to even think about taking a vacation, but with the stress of finishing term papers and passing finals, taking a vacation may be something you are dying to do! With great discounts available through travel agents and travel sites these days, you may be surprised to discover just how easy it is to find affordable ways to take cheap student travel.

One of the most popular getaways that students tend to make is tropical spring break destinations. Places like Florida, Cancun, and Myrtle Beach tend to top the list. If you want to maximize your fun on your spring break but are working on a budget, you should take some time to do internet research on pricing. You may be able to find some great last minute deals on discount travel sites that will enable you to join your friends on their springtime fun! Typically, a few weeks before your break, travel companies will dump their leftover tickets and accommodations for a much cheaper price than they were originally in order to try and get rid of them. If you are able to make last minute plans for your spring break, this may be the key to being able to get away on a budget.

Another popular way students like to escape school life is to go skiing. Cheap ski vacations are a little bit harder to find due to their popularity, but it’s not impossible. Once again, searching the internet can assist you in finding great discounted ski vacations because you will have access to many different resort’s websites in a short period of time, which will help give you a starting price range and also help you settle on a location. Trying to plan your trip during the off season tends to really help people save money on ski vacations, but when you are a student you don’t typically have that kind of flexibility. An option for you to save money is to plan your trip for a lesser known ski destination which may still offer you great slopes, but will cost less. As long as you plan your trip with a group of friends, it will not matter where you decide to go; you will still have a great time!

A third option that you should consider for travel if you are a student working on a budget is cruises. Cruises tend to be the most affordable type of travel because they are all inclusive. Once you decide on a cruise, you will know almost exactly what it is going to cost you, so you won’t have to worry about incidentals adding up as you would with other vacation options. It is also easy to find discounts on cruises since there are so many of them. Cruise prices tend to cut in half a few weeks before you set sail, so be sure to pay attention to discount and cruise websites before you take your break to see if you can take advantage of any of their great last minute deals! (SN:0A9SDTCV0517)

Even if you are a student on a budget, you don’t have to miss out on the benefits of getting away and taking the perfect vacation. If you a diligent in searching the internet, traveling to lesser known destinations and booking your travel at the last minute, you may be surprised to find how easy it is to find the perfect trip for you!

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