I have worked in Travel for almost 2 years now. Coming from an academic background, entering the private sector was a shock. I eased my way into conferencing and it gave me some experience with the travel side of things. I never wanted to be involved in travel, even though my studies were aimed at the Tourism industry. Let me explain what the difference is:
Conferencing (and events)
Conferencing is pretty straight forward. You receive an enquiry and you provide a quote accordingly. You choose a venue, select the equipment and menu, send through the name list and call to hear if everybody arrived ok. You make a deposit to secure everything and you pay the balance when the conference starts. It is usually 1 or 2 days of checking if everything is running well. With an event, it is basically the same drill, with a little more selection and checking. There is usually an entertainer and corporate gifts involved, in which case you have an assistant to help check the event. The worst thing is to manage RSVPs. You get computer programmes to do that for you! In the worst cases flights and transport have to be organised – then you call a travel agent to handle it!
Travel
With group travel it is a completely different story. Not only does the client not always know what they want, but they want it free. You receive an enquiry and you quote accordingly. No wait, quote again. No, one last quote please… Once the quote has been accepted you start to confirm all the elements (overseas ground costs including hotels, transport, excursions and meals). Then you deal with the changes from receiving deposits to departure date – usually replacements, cancellations and additions. You beg for them to pay on time, and once the exchange rate affects it all, unhappiness sets in. Airport tax, travel insurance, extra baggage, sporting equipment… it all just gets too much!
All we want is for you to pay on time, send your passport when requested and use Google for small things such as: “What currency do we need to get for the UK”… Don’t over think the trip – yes we realise it is your first time but we give so much information that you only need to meet the guide on the other side and enjoy your trip. Thank us when you arrive home. That’s all we want. Tell us that you enjoyed your trip and that our help was spot on. And if you do have issues while abroad, talk to the guide, don’t leave it until you get home… they are there to help you deal with it!
Thank goodness for great colleagues! I can honestly say that I am here because of them. I am here for the happy, thankful clients. I am here for the fun trips I get to do along with the groups! But maybe, just maybe, I might move to the country and raise sheep… or something.
