Let’s face it, travel-planning has changed. Over the past two years, you have had to pivot by offering clients a Plan B…maybe a Plan C when Plan B was postponed. That pivot might have included learning new destinations you’ve never sold before. Or you may have had to sell a different style of vacation (e.g., an all-inclusive domestic resort instead of an international river cruise).
Your clients have different needs, and they want new custom experiences. Any successful consultant will tell you that destination and itinerary-planning knowledge is the key to their success. So, it may be time to upgrade your trip-planning process with new and timely global destination updates and itinerary-building techniques.
In the NEW CTA 10th edition, you will immerse yourself in the skills and techniques required to help you plan new custom itineraries (in the CTA Planning Itineraries module) and to learn new destinations (in the Touring the World module).
Let’s start with some principal itinerary-building guidelines that will enhance your trip-planning process.
P.R.I.D.E. of Planning Itineraries
After you have qualified your clients, researched the destinations to be visited and confirmed scheduled air and ground transportation segments, it is time to plan the day-to-day itinerary.
Now you must map out a route, establish travel time and distances and decide which activities to recommend along the way. When planning itineraries to anywhere in the world, there are some basic guidelines to follow. (To remember them, just think of taking PRIDE in your work as an itinerary planner.)
Pace: Pacing is how quickly or slowly the itinerary moves. Make sure to provide a comfortable pace to the trip, and don’t overburden each day. A good rule of thumb for self-drive is not to exceed 150 miles per day. If the terrain to be traveled is mountainous or rough, shorten the driving day. Allow for rest stops and for sightseeing along the way, if appropriate to the client’s interests.
Routing: Plan both an interesting and efficient routing. The route should be scenic but also practical. Beware of backtracking or driving around in circles. For this example, check a map of central and southern Europe. Your client is traveling from Rome to Brindisi, which is located on the southeast coast of Italy. He wishes to visit the cities of Foggia and Naples along the way. It would be impractical for the traveler to go to Foggia (overnight), then backtrack to Naples, then continue east again to Brindisi. The most efficient route would be Rome to Naples (overnight) to Foggia to Brindisi.
Interests: Match your client’s interests with the destinations visited and suggest sightseeing, attractions, and planned activities matching those interests. It also is important to provide a balance by introducing variety into the trip. Be sure to create a mix of educational activities, recreational activities, and “frivolous” or carefree activities.
Details: Pay attention to detail. When sketching out the day-to-day plan, think of yourself on the trip. Make sure that planned attractions or activities are available when your client is scheduled to be there. Check hours of operation for museums, theaters, galleries, shops, or any other activity that you are planning to include. It would be a shame to plan a trip to the Louvre on a Tuesday because this is the only day of the week it is closed!
Energy: Match the energy level of your client with the pace and level of activities during the itinerary. This does not necessarily depend on age. For example, a family traveling with young children or a client not in the best of health may want to take things a little easier than others. Take notice of attractions that require a lot of walking, especially over rough terrain, up stairs, and in high altitudes.
Itinerary planning can take many forms. As a travel professional you hold the key to unlocking your clients’ different experiences. Trip-planning doesn’t have to be complicated. You can add custom components to a previously built, all-inclusive itinerary or even to a cruise vacation. Or you can create a fully customized itinerary. You hold the key… the question is, how will you use it?
To learn more about itinerary planning, destination knowledge, and overall sales techniques that will propel you to create amazing experiences for your clients, enroll in the Certified Travel Associate Program TODAY.
