Travel Biz Origin StorIES...
Cyndi - Pre travel I was a Paralegal in various specialties in Los Angeles before moving to Oregon with my husband who was in the airline industry, my two young sons and Grandmother. I proceeded to multi task the next 20 years Mom / Medical Transcriptionist / Contract Paralegal / Inventor / Accounting Assistant / etc.
During this time we traveled extensively and I realized I was gifted at the process - the most important piece - I enjoyed it a lot! The industry was always in the back of my mind. I put my career first, then family, now travel and my travel business.
In 2018 a friend challenged me to pursue my dream job and spend two full days on it. I was gratefully given a shot at a local agency. Not long thereafter deciding it was not a partnership, I jumped on pure faith and launched my own agency hitting three year benchmarks within the first year. Then the pandemic and now onto a business "Refresh." I will be a more intentional Advisor, a more valuable Advisor, a more organized Advisor and a more specialized Advisor - my clients will have to be a fit for me, not just me for them.
If an online booked travel experience is what "you truly desire" (we'll see who gets that) then I am not for you. I want you to refer me, I want you to be a longterm client. If I book you with strictly "budget travel" not intentional travel, that will not happen. Mind you I am not saying that a promotion or a smokin hot deal isn't the FIRST step of the Travel Dance because it always is, even true luxury travel has promotions - just sayin.
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Email and scheduled calls are the way I roll. I dedicate time to you and that is important. This is a busy life, let's be present when we are on the phone with each other. Texting works too. I do charge a Planning Fee which varies based on the number of quotes, destination and complexity of your booking. This fee will range from $50 to $250 and non refundable. Consultations are complimentary of course and often a first quote can be as well. Never more than during 2020 did I realize the customer service I wholeheartedly am able to provide to my clients and this surprised even me. I trust that on your return to traveling you will also say you will never go back to booking travel without an Advisor. There is so much unknown and you truly do need an advocate who is there for you, maybe not physically on the trip, but in every other way! If you are ready to click out of the many many browsers in your head and on your computer screen reach out! Thanks for reading!! |
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Hi, I am so excited to be planning travel with AAYT! I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest with a love of nature. The gorgeous scenery that is surrounding me in my small town of Stevenson, Washington fills me every day and I try hard not to take it for granted. At a young age I started traveling to explore and experience other parts of the world that I could appreciate as much as I did my home state. I have traveled extensively for extended periods of time with some of my favorites being Vietnam and Italy. After living in Honduras I left much of my heart there and cannot wait when life settles enough for me to return and share it with my husband and new daughter. One of my favorite parts of booking travel is helping people that are just becoming introduced to traveling find their way across the globe which in turn enriches their lives. Traveling with children poses special navigation and I strive to help many families travel with their children with as much ease as possible so that everyone comes back with a bag overflowing of lifetime memories - formed at all ages. |
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CYNDI'S Top Tips |
FAQ
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DO NOT RUSH your vacation experiences!
There is so much to inhale and take in while at a destination and we tend to have the mindset that we will never be back there again or that we have to make every dollar count and to be honest this was ME. With all of the training and travel I have done I fully 100% am of this belief system now - SLOW IT UP! Considering your age demographic and traveling partners and all other criteria, truly engaging with the culture, people, terrain and lifestyle as well as historical sites and monuments will bring you the most joy and the best memories and less exhaustion. Using a travel advisor and taking advantage of their knowledge and connections can facilitate these goals in ways many don't realize by pointing and clicking. Think about every little thing that you know about yourself and your travel dreams and "share" it with me, unlike the internet, I really want to KNOW and will take it into account when planning. ADVANCED PLANNING This is key and can result in the best pricing. It is so important when a special occasion is part of the mix and/or dining that must happen in a world of traveling foodies, specific hotels or destinations that have some type of limitations or are seasonal. TRAVEL INSURANCE I don't think we need to elaborate any longer on this piece - it is always recommended. |
1-WHY WORK WITH A TRAVEL ADVISOR?
TIME!
Hours go into researching options based on your criteria, let me do that... Contacting, building and sustaining career long relationships with suppliers and destination tourism organizations... Customer Service - of course ! Providing you with proposals and making adjustments, performing what I call the "Travel Dance"... 2-HOW ARE WE PAID?
Planning Fee: This depends on the type of booking. After that is established I will advise if there is a complimentary one time quote and/or what that fee would be. The fee is taken before the work is performed and non refundable.
Look at it this way, if the trip was to not happen, I would have still performed the work and you would have still received my expertise. Trust me, it is nominal for the time and effort that goes into planning, but I love it so watching the clock is NOT a problem, leaving my desk IS. Commission: This is paid to us by the properties and suppliers and this is their compensation to us for sending our clients to them. These relationships across the globe have no dollar figure on them - they are PRICELESS and they take years to nurture and investment attending trade shows, visits, etc. You think you have access to true reviews, but in all honesty - Travel Advisors have the only "reliable" reviews, not purchased and not solicited. These rates are based on the Host and Consortia that an Advisor is a member of, for myself it is Signature, the top in the industry. This is part of the business plan of a legit Advisor. We are NOT in competition with the almighty internet and OTA "Online Travel Agencies" - it is truly Apples to Apples and I don't want to eat their Apples ever ! 3-GIVE BACK!
The best way to say THANK YOU = REFERRALS ! There is also a perk in it for you when they book ! Also Active and Retired Military with a DOD Card have waived Planning Fees and Thank You for your service !
4-now what
Email / Scheduled Call
...I start working with supplier and destination experts and we begin, usually going back and forth often and sometimes very often depending on the trip ...You are off and I am still "on" and available throughout your journey big or small ...You dream, you share your next travel thought and I start watching for seasons / promotions / options - and we keep in touch ...REPEAT :o) 5-PERKS
What can and often does happen by using an advisor with a Host and Consortia, but never a guarantee is upgrades / meals / celebration extras / early and late check in and out / wifi, etc.
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Accreditations & Certifications
All about your travels, llc
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