Terror and Travel

Terror and Travel

Despite the recent terror attacks in destinations such as Paris, Cote deIvoire, Istanbul and Brussels, a new YOU GOV poll reveals that these events have not deterred affluent travelers from visiting new countries. Instead, the survey reveals that travelers with a higher income, earning a yearly salary of $100,000 or more are taking other steps to increase their peace of mind while abroad.

69% of those surveyed believe that restricting travel plans is the equivalent of letting terrorists dictate how I live my live.

15% of respondents are more likely to purchase travel insurance, up from 2% in November

62% of respondents have not changed their international travel plans as a result of terrorist activity

89% surveys say they take time to educate themselves about a destination before travelling in order to feel more secure during a trip.

Those of us in the industry, live to travel. I was in Brussels three days after the recent bombing for a meeting. We have recently had staff on trips to India, Morocco, Spain, Prague, Budapest, Croatia, Japan, Belgium, New York, and the Netherlands. We are an international team of dedicated travel professionals who create unique experiential holidays for independent travelers, families, couples and groups throughout the world. Our staff been all over the world, and can tell you about a destination they perhaps have been to many times.

They all share their findings and experience with the staff, and the knowledge makes us experts at our job. One colleague who just came back from Bhutan told us to sit on the left side of the plane if flying from Kathmandu or Delhi if you want to see Mt. Everest, and to take two aspirin about thirty minutes before landing to ease into altitude.

We give each other information that is invaluable and very helpful to our clients when we are planning their itinerary. On a trip to New Zealand, I inspected twenty seven hotels in a week, so I could write a report on my findings. The internet is a wonderful tool, but it cant compare with first hand information you can get from your travel professional. We tell you what are the must sees, and what to forget. We can get tickets to events around the world, because of our connections.

One of my staff just came to me and said we just got an email that one cruise line is offering business class air to Europe for $199 extra which is a fantastic bargain and since I am working on a honeymoon for Italy I was glad to get this information.

We have seen an increase in demands for cruises, and Alaska has been a hot destination sailing out of San Francisco. You can also go to Mexico and Hawaii from San Francisco. This is a wonderful opportunity for a handicapped person, and we make sure that we book an appropriate cabin, near the elevator, and make it easy for the people to enjoy their holiday with no worries.

Being part of the Signature Travel Network, which sells over nine billion in travel, we obtain fantastic benefits for our clients such as a room upgrade, early check in, late check out, free breakfast, dining credit, and many other amenities which vary around the world. You won’t get these if you book yourself. We have insider knowledge as to what hotels are offering free nights, children eat free, and can get surprising freebies from everywhere from Hawaii to London.

What’s on your bucket list?

Maureen Jones

ushEvent