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| Vice President—Content/ Editorial Director, Ruthanne Terrero |
Are you sending your clients on a resort vacation? Here are some Travel 101 tips to make their stay even better, and they’ll thank you for it.
Put them in the right place: To make the sale, paint a picture for them. They’re lying on a beach, relaxing to soft reggae melodies with tasty rum drinks on hand. The sun is shining. But what else do they want to do? They say they just want to chill, but that’s probably just for the first day. How far away is the nearest nightlife? If it’s a $50 cab ride away, you might be better off suggesting a resort that has plenty of alternative fun activities within walking distance or a very short drive away. Is it important that there is a town they can visit that has authentic shopping, restaurants and bars?
Dig deep to determine their needs and wants: Do they assume they’ll be able to try scuba diving and boating simply because they’re going to an ocean resort? Are they assuming they are getting an oceanfront suite even though they’re buying a rock-bottom-priced package? Determine their expectations and their assumptions from the very beginning.
Connect or disconnect? Is access to the Internet a must or do they want to be cut off completely? Have you checked to see if the place you’ve selected for your clients has Wi-Fi? Or is this a place that charges extra from the clients who want to disconnect from the real world?
TVs in the rooms? If your clients don’t want to miss their favorite sports championships, they may be horrified when they walk into their exotic hotel room, flowing with white drapes and bed linens, the Caribbean Sea just outside their window—and no flatscreen TV.
The buffet line is how long? Are your clients foodies or are they fine with a buffet? If they prefer a proper meal three times a day with table service, be sure that’s available. And be sure there are selections available as well. A Michelin-star restaurant at a resort is fabulous, but do they want to eat there every night? Can their pocketbook afford that?
To the spa: Do press clients to reserve spa treatments ahead of time. There’s nothing worse than overhearing how dreamy someone’s massage was and then trying to book it yourself, only to find there are no slots left. Do the same for any specialty restaurants or activities that require reservations.
Don’t think with your own pocketbook: It’s been a while since I’ve brought that one up but it’s vital you understand that you and your client are not twins. Don’t offer them only what you could afford. While you’re at it, don’t offer them only the type of hotel you would like. And don’t dismiss resorts that charge $750 or $1,000 a night if your client has indicated it’s in their budget. If you conclude that something costs too much based on your own bank account, you’ll be missing out on some great bookings and your client will go elsewhere.
Have them stay over until Monday. Have you ever noticed in your personal travels that when you’re leaving a resort on a Sunday morning that you’re departing on one of the loveliest days of the week? Wouldn’t you rather stay on, have brunch, maybe a Bloody Mary, and settle in with the Sunday paper as everyone else is passing through the hotel lobby with their wheelies and backpacks? There’s nothing more luxurious than realizing you’ve carved out some extra time for yourself especially on the day that a resort typically quiets down in anticipation of the week ahead. Give this gift to your clients. They’ll probably get a good deal on a Sunday night stay to boot.