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Supplier Kudos: Supporting Clients in Tahiti

Travelers this year need to stay on top of rapidly changing travel requirements, and make sure they know how to meet them to prevent problems like denied boarding or unexpected quarantine.  Our trusted travel partners once again have stepped in using their personal connections to give our clients an extra level of confidence while traveling.

French Polynesia unexpectedly announced they had to close their borders this week, but travelers currently in country are allowed to complete their travel plans.  Getting back to the US requires a negative COVID test, and day of flight testing is available at Faa’a airport.  But the hours are limited, presenting logistical challenges for travelers, especially those who have to fly or ferry back from outlying islands.

clear blue waters around the island of moorea with a lone swimmer

Would having to stay here be such a bad thing??

So I was thrilled to hear this news from our favorite supplier partner for French Polynesia:  They arranged for testing to stay open later for our clients, and are stationing a concierge at the airport. Someone who has our client’s itinerary will be watching for them, and guide them to the proper location. And they have made sure that testing does not close until all our clients are tested.

Map showing the many islands that comprise French Polynesia

There is much more to French Polynesia than just Tahiti.

I have always booked my Tahiti clients with this supplier because they’ve provided outstanding in-country support. I could trust my clients were in the best hands should they need assistance, and I even used them for my own trip.  This recent turn of events reinforces my confidence that they are capable of rapidly responding to quickly changing rules, and will go above and beyond to take care of my clients.

Painting on side of building on Raiatea. It's a woman laying on her back who appears to be floating, she's wearing a blue & shite thin striped dress.

The street art on Raiatea was a pleasant surprise.

Planning a trip is much more than just checking for the best rates and amenities and making reservations. We research HOW to book the trip, so that clients have the most flexible terms, the most appropriate travel insurance, and the most reliable support in their destination. And once booked, we continuously communicate with our supplier partners to make sure we have the latest and most accurate information.

Sunset seen from Windstar cruise ship over island in the distance

Goodbye, but I’ll be back!

Whether you’re ready to plan your next trip, or just want to talk about your travel dreams, I’m here for you.

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Behind the Scenes with Suzette: Doing Business During a Pandemic

It’s been a while since I wrote a blog post, January 29 to be exact.  I just reviewed it, and though the world has changed dramatically since then, it’s still relevant, as is the one before it (How to Travel Well in 2020). While travel is mostly paused right now, I’m going to pull back the curtain on the life of a travel advisor in a series of “behind the scenes” posts.

When people ask how I am doing, they are often surprised at how busy I continue to be, months after the crisis first erupted.

Me in March 2020

I can only speak for myself, but I suspect my life has been similar to most travel advisors.  Here’s how I spend my time:

Managing cancelled trips – Unraveling all arrangements, re-booking for 2021 where possible. Requesting and tracking refunds and credits.  Assisting with travel insurance claims, or  transferring/pausing unused policies.

Managing upcoming trips – Staying on top of new payment and cancellation policies, preparing to pivot to a new plan as conditions change.  Monitoring COVID-19 updates and restrictions for destinations.

♦ Expert Tip ♦
Passport applications and renewals have been on hold
since mid-March, and it’s expected to take months to catch up.
See the State Dept website for updates.

Educating myself –  Attending webinars on the domestic trips that are in high demand as the country opens up, such as national parks, RV vacations, ranches and lodges, and private home and villa rentals. Keeping up with industry news to stay on top of new developments.
bison at vermejo park rank

Vermejo Park Ranch, a Ted Turner Reserve

Communicating with colleagues – Sharing resources for finding the most accurate information about suppliers, destinations, and health and travel advisories.  Sharing personal anecdotes about airline and hotel experiences so we can best advise our clients. And sharing news on our personal lives, to feel more connected during this difficult time.

Meeting with hotels – Learning when are they opening, what services are they offering, what health and sanitation procedures they are implementing.

presentation on hotel post-COVID 19 plans

An udpate from one of our California hotel partners. I hope to visit there soon!

Meeting with travel suppliers – Getting their expert insider information on destinations, updates on booking and cancellation terms, and their frank opinion on what to expect in the coming months.

Diving deep into travel insurance– Understanding COVID-19 coverage, staying up to date on procedures for claims and new policies, getting training on various insurance companies and their products.  Despite some bad press about coverage being limited in a pandemic, there are still many ways travel insurance can protect a traveler’s investment. More on that in a future post.

♦ Expert Tip ♦
It’s very important to get a policy as soon as you make ANY payment on a trip,
in order to be eligible for all the coverage available.
You can update it later if things change.

 

I created an Instagram poll last month to see how people were feeling about travel.  Here are the questions and the results.

travel survey during coronavirus

If you’d like to contribute, send your answers to suzette@suzettemacktravel.com.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and keep dreaming!

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