RESEARCH & DESIGN
The Research & Design phase is where all of the magic happens, as we meticulously craft the perfect travel itinerary for you! Ever heard of the adage "You get what you pay for"? From a cup of coffee to working with an attorney, usually, the free option isn't the best one. The world of online travel can be an utterly frustrating place to design your own itinerary because there are just too many options, and the "free" services typically lack expertise, trust, and ease of use.
Our team of expert travel designers begins by analyzing the information gathered from the Initial Inquiry and during the Discovery Call. We delve deep into understanding everything you've shared with us to gain a comprehensive understanding which forms the foundation for our Research & Design efforts as we strive to create a tailored itinerary that reflects your unique travel style and preferences.
In many cases, we utilize our preferred suppliers to ensure we have proper representation each step of the way. We leverage these relationships to get preferred pricing, amenities, and additional perks/benefits for our clients whenever possible! We also serve as your advocate in case anything unexpected happens with your trip. We've created our fee structure to cover ALL of those services as we do much more than just make a booking and move to the next client. The Research & Design stage involves a significant amount of work and expertise on our end, which is why we charge Agency Service Fees, to compensate for the extensive research, planning, and design efforts involved.
Did You Know?
Our team spends an average of 15 hours per booking from the time we receive your Initial Inquiry to the time you start your vacation? This does not include the time we spend on modifications prior to departure, hiccups that may occur during your travels, or following up after your trip to make sure you arrive safely back home. This alone is a savings of over $300 of your time (assuming you only get paid $20/hour)!
So, here's why the Research & Design process is essential and what you can expect during this phase of your vacation planning experience with us.
When it comes to finding the right vacation, searching Google or using online travel websites is overwhelming; they offer too many choices, and make unvetted recommendations. Doing things yourself can seem fun at first, but it can often lead to frustrations along the way because there are several components to consider with vacation planning. Not to mention, hotels and cruise lines are not as motivated to make special exceptions for one-off customers who reach out. This might also include bumping you to another hotel upon arrival if they've oversold -- believe us when we say, this happens to individuals and groups more often than you think! Travel advisors, on the other hand, are knowledgeable and experienced at aligning you with the right hotel, cruise line, or vacation to meet the specific goals of your trip, and they are equipped with the tools to advocate on your behalf!
Vacation Planning Inclusions
The Research & Design process ensures that our dedicated team can devote the necessary time, expertise, and resources to create a personalized travel experience that exceeds your expectations. Our Research & Design fee not only compensates for the extensive work involved, but also reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality, customized services that reflect your travel dreams and aspirations. Throughout this phase, we will remain in close communication with you, providing updates about proposal timelines, seeking feedback as needed, and refining the itinerary to ensure that it aligns with your vision prior to the Proposal Presentation.