BRATWUSTLE / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM item after transportation and lodging , according to research conducted by ValuePenguin , the research arm of LendingTree , so it makes sense to be strategic about where you recommend clients wine and dine . First , even all-inclusives don ’ t always include food and alcohol . Whether it ’ s a European plan or a full American plan , make sure your clients know what they ’ re signing up for .
Then , consider that some clients may want more variety than these resorts can offer — or a cheaper , local option , says Fondeur- Adams . Doing the extra research to identify local eateries for your clients is a way to “ differentiate yourself by providing something extra that not all travel agents offer ,” she says .
Perhaps counterintuitively , planning for big splurges — whether on food or other meaningful experiences — is also key to maximizing your client ’ s budget .
“ For middle-of-the-road spenders , if I tell them that they should try to save or splurge , then that really depends on what they want to do ,” says Braswell . “ If they want to go to the Maldives and have the ultimate experience , of course , I ’ m going to say ‘ Hey , if you ’ re middle-of-the-road , absolutely , we should spend $ 500 extra here for that elevated experience .”
On European tours , Matt Wahlgren , the owner of Matt Travel , advises clients to splurge on an incredible meal on their first night and a luxury hotel on their last . He also encourages private tours — but only for locations that really matter to the client .
“ Those can be kind of pricey , maybe $ 1,000-plus for the day to do that kind of tour ,” says Wahlgren , who recently helped one client plan a private tour of the Vatican . “ But then after that , you do the hop-on , hop-off bus … which is typically no more than $ 100 , and you ’ re seeing all the other sites that way .”
Help Clients Avoid Unforeseen Costs
MOST PEOPLE STAY WITHIN THEIR BUDGETS WHEN THEY PLAN TRAVEL , ACCORDING TO RESEARCH BY ALLIANZ , A PROVIDER OF TRAVEL INSURANCE . BUT THOSE WHO DON ’ T ADD A HEFTY 20 % TO 32 % TO THE COST OF THEIR TRIPS . HELP YOUR CLIENTS AVOID UNFORESEEN COSTS BY REMINDING THEM TO FACTOR IN THESE ITEMS :
• Travel consulting fee
• Travel insurance
• Baggage fees
• Tips for service workers
• On-the-ground transport
• Local sales tax
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