During the dress rehearsal for my “State of the Industry” presentation at our Ultra Summit I was clicking through my slides to be sure everything looked all right. I was caught up in my own world but when I heard the stage manager and the AV guy talking about the slides they were seeing on the screen, I tuned in to hear what they were saying.
“Antarctica, can you really go there? That would be amazing,” said one. “How would you even do it?” said the other. “Would I buy a travel package?”
When I told them that the room would soon be filled with luxury travel advisors who booked amazing trips like this every day they were fascinated to hear that there were people in this world who could do such a thing, who could get them to the ends of the earth on a customized trip, creating a seamless experience all the way.
I felt oddly proud telling them this; I was proud of the Ultra advisors we were about to welcome and of their valuable skills and knowledge that could open the doors for so many people to experience the world at their own pace and in an amazing fashion.
But I also realized that we still need to provide people with the basics of why the travel advisor profession exists. We’re so used to the intricate trips you all can put together, it’s easy to almost take them for granted. While the two men at my Ultra dress rehearsal were delighted and amazed about the idea of going to Antarctica, I, on the other hand, read about the possibilities all the time. You might even say I’m a bit jaded because my day-to-day activities immerse me in content about the most exotic places in the world and the most luxurious experiences.
Are you jaded, too? I suggest the next time you wrap up a wonderfully complex itinerary for a client, share it with someone who has nothing to do with the travel industry and let them marvel at what you’ve put together. Take in their wonder and fascination for what you’ve created and let their positive reaction sink in so you can appreciate yourselves more.
An expert on public speaking recently advised me that when I have completed a presentation on stage I shouldn’t slip away quickly. Rather, I should stay for a moment to take in the applause so that the gratitude of the audience becomes a memory of the entire speaking experience.
Travel advisors need to do this when they have accomplished the formation of a wildly exciting, complicated itinerary. Get feedback from someone who appreciates what you’ve done with a fresh perspective and savor their applause. And of course, do the same thing when your clients return from their trips so you can enjoy every thrilling moment they tell you about, that you made possible. Let all of this boost your confidence and remember it all the next time you have the chance to tell the world what you’re truly capable of doing.
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