As a travel agent, your main goal is to book the best stay at the most economical price for your customers. But have you ever thought about ensuring they stay healthy? You should! When customers rate their stay – or how well their travel agent performed – they do so by analyzing an assortment of criteria. One of which could be how their allergies faired.
It seems like a stretch, but think of it like this: If you were vacationing in a tropical paradise and spent the majority of your time sneezing and wheezing, how would you rate your stay? You'd make sure to note how bad the allergies are there. This type of review reflects poorly on the travel agent.
Here are eight tips travel agents must adhere to while making travel arrangements:
1. Ask about allergy history
As a travel agent you want to ensure your customers have the best experience possible. That's tough for them to do when they're constantly sneezing and coughing through the entire vacation. Prior to booking their stay, ask about their allergy history. While this may seem a bit personal, you can simply explain to them that you're trying to ensure their desired results are met. You can then recommend destinations that have low allergen counts.
2. Provide necessary information
If your customers have bad allergies, provide them with allergy medications advice. We're not suggesting that you should act as their official doctor, but plenty of tip sheets exist from reputable sources such as the one from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Your customers will be grateful that you went out of your way to protect them.
3. Research lodging
Don't just look for lodging with the best rates. Research hotels that use allergy-free bedding, consistently update their HVAC systems and change the filters. These are the types of places your guests will feel most comfortable staying. The best way to thoroughly research these hotels is by calling them and reading online reviews.
4. Consider travel time
The location isn't the only point of worry for travelers who suffer from allergies. The time of year can make the difference between relaxing on a beach or resting on the same beach and sneezing all day.
5. Research mode of travel
Are your customers driving to this location? Are they traveling by train? Or are they flying? Base your allergy-relief tips around their mode of travel. If your customers are taking a train, call the transit company and ask about how they protect riders from dust, dirt and allergens. Does their train system have an updated filtration system? If they're flying, call the airline and ask how often it cleans the seats. Just like carpets in a car, airline seats can be home to a lot of dust, dirt and allergens.
6. Look into the weather
Don't send those who have bad allergies to dry climates during the heat of the summer unless, of course, they insist on going. Instead recommend areas that have low pollen counts, or suggest they travel to the area during a different time of year.
7. Provide clothing advice
You're not a fashion expert, but you should be able to provide recommendations beyond basic travel arrangements. Those with bad allergies might be concerned their wardrobe may not protect them enough. Propose they wear sunglasses, hats and, if necessary, something to protect their mouth. They don't want to put too many layers on otherwise they'll have to deal with dehydration, but protecting their nasal passages should be of the upmost importance. These pieces of attire act as filters and, while it's not full-proof, it'll get the job done as the travelers walk from one destination to the next.
8. Advise staying indoors
If your travelers insist on taking a summer vacation but have bad allergies, plan a vacation that includes a lot of indoor settings. This could include museum visits, indoor restaurants with closed windows or hotels with indoor pools and hot tubs.
Feel confident in the type of allergy products you purchase for your cab. Your health depends on it! Check out what our customers have had to say about their successful experiences with Allergy Be Gone's products. And, for more allergy solutions, visit our online store or contact us today.
