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ADVICE FOR THE SENIOR TRAVELER
Mischa Smith has been a travel agent for 14 years, right here in Stillwater.
“ Seniors are more wise and more thorough, because they have more experience,” Smith said.“ They ask excellent questions and they actually want to hear the details.”
According to Smith, most of her senior clients aren’ t just booking a trip, they are seeking peace of mind.
“ They just want someone to make sure everything is set up and that they don’ t get stuck in a situation that they don’ t know how to get out of,” she said. Her clients can range from widows traveling alone, to couples who just want reassurance if something were to arise.
When asked what might hold seniors back from traveling, Mischa said“ Honestly, I think the biggest concern is just the unknown.”
She notices that they can’ t quite name what it is specifically that worries them, only that they want everything accounted for. Mischa’ s resolution is to be straightforward. She talks her senior clients through every step of the trip and thinks ahead for the things they haven’ t thought to ask.
“ Travel advisors cost no more money to use than if you were to book it on your own, so it’ s really an extra benefit,” she said. Mischa believes that the key to the right advisor should be someone you can call anytime with questions and feel comfortable with.
For Mischa’ s senior clients, Western Europe is a popular destination, then Italy and Germany, with Portugal tailing. For her clients waiting to fulfill a lifelong dream, the African Safari is their choice.
“ I have seniors that would really like a Safari, something that have just waited all of their life for,” she said. Another piece of advice for would-be travelers?“ I don’ t feel like there is ever any bad weather, just bad clothing,” Smith said.
NEED A TRAVEL AGENT? Phone: 405-614-0058 Website: mytravelmischa. com
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STORY BY: DESTINEE STEPHENS Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine PHOTOS PROVIDED
Very nice crab restaurant and shop in Kinosaki.
7 Sunken Garden at Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island.
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