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Save the lip service and be of service to the family traveler
I hear it time and time again, the word “sorry”. In fact, this ”sentimental” phrase seems to be an easy escape for those whose job it is to be of service. And if you work in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, it’s your duty to be of service.
Lately, it seems that many staff have eluded to just apologizing when they are not willing to deliver what the guest wants.
Telling the guest that you just started working there, is NEVER acceptable, period. [That's another post.]
Sorry is never good enough. In fact, I teach my clients to get the words “sorry” and “unfortunately” out of their vocabulary. Use those words during your off time, but not when you are serving family travelers.
Think about it, if you have a mom who has rented a car and requested two booster seats and the only booster seats available are, well, less than impressive at $19. per day. Telling her that you are sorry doesn’t mean anything, nor does it lighten the situation. It’s best to keep your “sorry” to yourself and do what you can to get the booster seats cleaned or replaced. This is what the family traveler really wants.
When it comes to serving family travelers, smarter, it’s more about being of service in a BIG way…save your lip service because in the end, it doesn’t make a difference.
The risk is in fully relying on the training manual
I highly recommend a college education.
However, I know for sure, that my true experience as a journalist and now a thriving business woman has stemmed from my “real world” experience. This thought leads me to today’s post.
As a part of my hospitality training programs, I always leave my students with a nice manual that captures the essence of everything that I have shared with them about how to serve family travelers, smarter. I consider it a good gesture, a way to make it “official” if you will.
My technique is to share with the hospitality team the importance of every word and how when in doubt, look it up and be in the know.
After experiencing heartfelt appreciation for having penned two or three days of information for them, I have them sign off on a pledge stating that they WILL NOT rely on this manual to improve their guest relations, instead, that they will get OUT THERE in the REAL WORLD and treat family travelers with kindness, day in day out. And that they understand the experience expressed in this manual is only based on proven market research facts and should not be relied on or used as a crutch. Tried and true hospitality stems from the heart, not in this manual.
Surprisingly, the staff is taken back each time. Just when silence can seem so loud, it’s then that they realize that changing the way families travel, forever, begins with them and no one else. Does your team know this?
Do they know that it’s only by getting out there and actually DOING the work that they gain sharper insight and skills in how to treat guests no matter what form of travel they are in. While I highly recommend having an education in the world of hospitality, I like to leave my students knowing that they ARE the change that I want to see for family travel. It gets them every time!
Family Travel Suite Celebrates One Year of Informing Families and Shaking Up the Travel Industry
Well HELLO There!
I am pleased to announce that Family Travel Suite has reached a very BIG milestone. We’re turning one year old this month! Wooo hoo!
Thanks to my loyal readers, we’ve informed and entertained over 8,000 of you family travelers.
As you may or may not know, the original intent of this blog is to keep the travel industry on its toes when it comes to the way families are being served when they travel. In fact, that’s what my company, Republic Media International is all about, consulting and educating the travel industry on how to serve the family traveler, smarter.
Well, several of my clients and peers have spoken. They want to read more about how to serve family travelers, smarter, and less about what’s going on in the news. Bummer.
I’m all for change, and now is a good time to make that switch. In the next few weeks, you will begin to notice a new look and feel at Family Travel Suite. I’m going to speak more to the travel industry to ensure that they truly “get it” when it comes to what you families want. I hope you don’t mind.
I encourage you to stay tuned and chime in if I miss something in representing you, the family traveler. Let your voice be heard.
Happy Birthday Family Travel Suite!
I love and appreciate you guys for all of your support.
The essentials for your travel first aid kit revealed
Today’s post caught me off guard. I’ve never thought about preparing a first aid kit for travel. I mean, sure if I’m going on a cruise, I’ll take some Dramamine, or if we’re visiting another country, I’ll be sure everyone got their shots. But to pack allergy medicine, didn’t cross my mind. If you’re like me, then I’m glad to bring this information to you.
Author and mom blogger, Lisa Shusterman from “Around the World in Easy Ways,” shares with us the things we should consider packing in our first aid kit as we embark on travel season with the kids.
Around the World in Easy Ways Blog | Lisa Shusterman
Every traveler knows you shouldn’t leave home without it. No, I’m not talking about your American Express card; I’m talking about a first aid kit.
While most people will have access to supplies somewhere along the way, the reality is, when you want what you want when you want it, it’s just best to have it with you rather than depend on finding it. Obviously you can’t carry an entire pharmacy in your bag, so what should you carry?
(READ MORE)
Mom blogger reveals this season’s ‘must haves’ for travel
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, we’re at the peak of family travel season!
I hope many of you have locked in your summer plans and are taking advantage of all the good deals out there in the marketplace. To help you on your journey with the little ones, momsfavoritestuff.com shares what’s hot for summer travel with your kids. N’joy!
Planning your family vacation? Travel deals come in all sizes this summer
Wooo hooo! This is so exciting!
Families, we have a plethora of deals and trips to choose from. Many hotels have started “Kids Stay Free” campaigns and it’s looking very enticing on my end.
If you are in the midst of booking your family vacation, be sure to outline all of the perks that are important to you and your family. For me, it’s AMAZING guest relations and never ending amenities. Today’s article will help you get your thinking caps on for planning your summer getaway.
The Today Show via MSNBC.com
Planning your summer trips advance will help get you the best deals — of which there are boundless choices for families this summer. Whether you are looking for the educational excursion, a beach pampering, or a city exploration, there is something for every family. And one very important thing to keep in mind when searching for the best deal is that you want to look at the overall value package — which means that finding the best deal isn’t necessarily just about finding the “cheapest room rate,” but rather finding the packages that give you the most for your money, where you will not be nickle-and-dimed for every subsequent thing you do on your vacation apart from sleep.
Here are some of Conde Nast Traveler’s favorite family summer deals that will give you the biggest bang for your buck:
1. Look to your favorite hotel chains for company-wide deals
One of the best ways to find deals for the summer is to consult your favorite hotel chains to see what company-wide deals they may be offering. This can give you the opportunity to visit any of their properties around the world for significant discounts. (READ MORE)
Lazy river and twisting water slides offer weekend fun at most resorts and hotels this summer
Spring is here!
I love the spring and all of the beautiful flowers that come along with it. Usually, this is the time when many of you begin planning your summer trips. There are some great deals out there, and today’s post tells you which hotels and resorts offer the most water fun for the little ones.
FamilyTravel.com | Lynne O’Rourke Hayes
Diving boards and the deep end have been replaced by slippery slides, raging waterfalls and lazy rivers. Today’s resort pools and water parks offer enough excitement to keep the kids engaged for a weekend or longer. Here are five cool pools worth the plunge.
1. Grand Wailea Resort, Maui, Hawaii.
This island haven may be most famous for its beaches, but don’t pass up the chance to explore what the resort has to offer. The whole family will be eager to explore the 25,700-square-foot area that includes nine free-form pools. Travel via a “river” to check out the slides, waterfalls, caves, water elevator, swim-up bar, rope swing and more that are part of this water wonder. The tropical, 40-acre resort also includes an infant pool.
Contact: 1-800-888-6100; www.grandwailea.com
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Avoid travel scams when booking your next vacation
I’ve mentioned before that with all the online booking sites popping up, it’s a great idea to use a travel agent when you’re shopping for a family getaway. Although many booking sites offer great deals or money back, I say set a limit to what trips you are willing to book online. By limit, I mean dollar limit. For trips over $1,000., call an agent.
Travel Zoo’s Senior Editor, Gabe Saglie shares with us the travel scams that are prowling around looking for its next victim, and how you can avoid being a statistic.
abc7 News.com
5 steps to verify a deal just like the pros from Travelzoo’s Senior Editor Gabe Saglie:
- Do Your Homework: Call the travel provider and ask for details on final pricing, including all taxes and fees. Also, compare that final number against other market pricing to the same destination to make sure the offer is really a deal.
- Know Exactly What Is Included: Does that free three-night stay come with a requirement to attend a high-pressure 90-minute timeshare sales pitch? Does that drastically reduced rate come with a pricey daily “resort fee?”
More and more, hotels are tacking on additional fees such “resort” or “housekeeping” fees that aren’t included in the featured price of a deal. Also, double check that the destination you are flying into doesn’t have a “departure tax” at the airport. While typically minimal, better to be prepared before arriving at the payment desk.
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Luxury travel company creates online booking site for families
This is starting something BIG! I’m so excited about this new site that’s just for us: families who travel. FamilyGetaway.com is the ultimate spot to book your next trip. It searches for the top amenities like programs for the kids and on site laundry and sitter services. Gee, I’m promoting this new booking engine and not even getting compensated for it, that’s how wonderful it is.Give it a try. The FTS team is always excited to learn about innovative ways to make the lives of families who travel, easier.
Budget Travel | Nina Willdorf
I meet with PR folks all the time in my office, in town to share their news and happenings. Rarely do I get as unabashedly excited as I did yesterday, talking to the team behind LuxuryLink.com about their latest site: FamilyGetaway.com.
Despite the obvious disconnect between Budget Travel and the name of the parent company, LuxuryLink is very much in our world. We covered the discount vacation auction site in our October 2009 issue; at a time when discounting came into vogue, LuxuryLink saw a 91 percent jump in its number of listings in second quarter ‘09, compared to the same period the year before. Clearly, the 13-year-old company is on to something. (READ MORE)
School snow days may delay family vacation plans
Many families are whipping out their calendars in search of alternate dates to vacation this summer. The continued snowfall around the country has depleted the number of snow days in some school systems. Decatur County School Board in Decatur, Tenn., reports that they have run out of snow days and may have to extend the school year or use floating holidays to make up the difference.
This is a great opportunity for popular family destinations to offer a sort of “relief” program for families who may have booked with them and now have to change their dates due to a possible school year extension. What do you think? Would you change your summer plans just to complete the school year? Hmm, this one is sticky.
The Decatur County Chronicle | Jennifer Clendenion
Recent snow and ice accumulations combined with winding, tree-lined country back roads have resulted in the local school system exhausting its allotted snow days for the year.
Schools were closed for a week at the beginning of the month after several inches of snow left several roads in the south end of the county too treacherous for buses. At least three other bouts of winter weather since the start of the year has left officials no choice but to close schools. Between the inclement weather and closings for holidays, Decatur County students have not attended school for a full week of classes since early December.
Director of Schools Dr. Michael Price told School Board members Thursday that the system is out of snow days. But with any luck, additional school days won’t be tacked on to the calendar in May. “We have three more days in the calendar we can still float around,” said Dr. Price, including two vacation days and a staff development day. School board members expressed concern that family travel plans might be affected if school is extended in May. “We’re going to avoid that,” Dr. Price said. (READ MORE)
