Another week has passed and into the travel season in full swing. Clients have traveled, some about to travel and many more in the next few weeks and months. This makes me very happy that I am still at it and in this for the long haul. Definitely why I weathered this latest storm, and it is not over. I am still passionate about this industry with all its ups and downs. I had two sets of clients this week return home, or should I say, one couple from France and the other still in Edinburgh. Why? Well one couple tested negative and were able to fly home and the other did not. Through no fault of their own and I am quite sure they did everything they were supposed to fly home safely, but the result was positive. Because of the rule still in place, they either must test negative or wait 10 days and get a certificate of recovery. These are the only two choices until this rule is lifted, so what we as professional travel advisors in much more than just booking things. We are there to support our clients during this and other events that may arise. I know this is a continuation from last week. What concerns me is that this is not going to be the only time and while I am optimistic and will be there for each client, this process will repeat itself throughout the whole travel season. Hope for the best and anticipate the worst and knowing the feeling and the added stress this brings on, I had to schedule testing in the morning of my flight at the airport, wait for the result and fortunately, it was negative, but if it were positive, would have had to leave the airport and go through the protocol. One of my colleagues on my recent trip to Barcelona did test positive and she ended up staying on 3 additional days. This adds additional stresses and has clients thinking if they even want to travel due to this rule that needs to be removed. It is fortunate that my clients purchased the travel insurance and most of my other clients had, but Covid does not care if you have travel insurance or not. It does not care about borders. I know I am repeating myself, but this rule, still in place is stunting travel and while 2022 will be an amazing year, it could be better, crossing in both directions across the pond. The time is here to drop this requirement. It is also the first week without doing work for my schooling and it was a bit of a relief. I still must do my practicum, but I have until the middle of August, and I will be in a place where I can do it with a local. More to come on that. I am still awaiting the grading, for the coursework, but the focus was to pass and that I have done. Right now, as I am in a countdown for the summer, I am trying to de-clutter, personal and business paperwork. I guess they call that spring cleaning, and I don’t have much since most of my stuff is still in storage back in the hinterland. When I get back there, at the earliest October, but who knows and right now, that is not my focus. I am simply excited to be planning travel, arranging my valued clients’ experiences around the world, and balancing it with an exciting personal life, which even from a distance is wonderful. Soon, however, that will change, but there are still some weeks to go. My focus to clear up as much as I can and be ready when the time comes. My travels are important, but my clients take precedence, so whether before travel with questions, in travel with concerns or post travel and the follow up, that is what I am here to do. I am also working on my re-certification as a Verified Travel Advisor through ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors) and proud to be.
It is funny how life is and frankly, I very much appreciate even more now than I probably would have appreciated it years ago, and decades ago. I never would have thought in a million years I would have been in this industry, although not sure decades ago, for sure, or been an educator, either or returning to that profession in part. I think about this every day that all the choices I have made good or bad have brought me to this point in my life. I am in an amazing industry and one that tests me every single day and I challenge myself to be better every day. I only compete against myself and built my business on being honesty and integrity. I started by working for a company and then went out on my own. Now, almost 25 years into the business, I am more excited about the possibilities. As you all know, I am in a romantic relationship that also tests me every day, but that is a good thing. Nothing that is worthwhile is easy and I have finally, in my life between business and personal. It was always one or the other and now I feel that balance, and that makes me feel good and makes me feel stronger. I want to be there for others to help them, be it personally or professionally, but I have always been that way. Now, I have that open road for that as I am not tied down to a place, but you know there is only one place I want to be. Here's to another week of challenges that allow me to put my best foot forward. As always, I am interested in your thoughts, comments, questions and adding to the discourse is always appreciated be in on the site itself or on Facebook, Twitter or wherever you read this. Thank you for your support of this small business and it is truly appreciated!!! Share the knowledge
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November 2024
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