FIVE TOP REASONS TO WORK WITH A TRAVEL SPECIALIST

CUSTOM TRAVEL AT THE CUTTING EDGE:

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – If you’re suffering from blurred vision you may wish to visit an optometrist rather than seek treatment from a general practitioner.

And to make sure that new glasses correct your blurred vision, it would no doubt be best to work with an eyeware specialist, rather than ordering glasses through the Internet or buying them off-the-rack from the local discount store.

Similarly, if you’re planning a trip to remote or lesser-traveled areas of the globe,  want to ensure that your “vacation of a lifetime” is exactly that, and make sure you are getting the best value, you should similarly consult a specialist—a travel specialist. 

Travel specialists may focus on certain countries or geographic regions, or they may be experts in certain types of experiences such as wildlife safaris, bicycling trips, etc.  They have developed invaluable local contacts and researched little known but vital information that help guide travelers to more enjoyable getaways.

One such specialist is Destinations Downunder, focusing on travel to Australia and New Zealand. Here’s where you can arrange a customized trip to islands of the Great Barrier Reef or perhaps a golf holiday based on visits to the most spectacular courses down under.  “Australia and New Zealand travel planning is all we do,” says founder Carol Hitchie. “It is all we have done for 25 years.”

Another specialist is The Great Canadian Travel Company – considered one of North America’s foremost experts in travel to the arctic.  For more than a quarter of a century, the company has compiled the expertise and “insider” contacts to build its reputation as specialists on travel to Arctic Canada and Alaska, as well as Greenland, Iceland, and the Russian Polar Seas.  

Max Johnson, founder of The Great Canadian Travel Company, and Carol Hitchie offer five reasons to work with a travel specialist:

1.   1. Knowledge of destination. A specialist will have traveled within a chosen destination for many years, visiting many times and becoming thoroughly familiar with customs, weather, and regional specialties.  Work with a specialist and you’ll learn about off-the-beaten-path areas not usually offered by cookie-cutter tours. This translates to being able to fine-tune a trip to your particular interests so that you find yourself doing what appeals to you personally—not what a guidebook says you “should not miss.”

2.      2. Perfection brings value. This means that you don’t settle for less when you can get exactly the kind of vacation you want that is totally suited to your interests, budget and available travel time.  If you prefer staying at wilderness lodges and small, boutique hotels, you won’t find yourself booked into a major chain that looks just like a hotel close to where you live. 

3.      3. Accountability by suppliers. Your specialist is well known and respected by suppliers—hoteliers, guides, tour operators and such. While they undoubtedly are       able to survive an individual dissatisfied traveler, they cannot afford to lose that specialist’s confidence in their ability to provide superior service and a satisfying visit. It can have a devastating effect on generating new business. It’s leverage that works on your behalf.

4.      4. Cost-effective air travel. Working with a specialist means you’ll get the best routing at the least cost. Specialists build lasting relationships with carriers that serve their regions and pass these savings on to clients. A specialist knows when an offered airfare is good and when it is not.[Back to Press Releases Main]