I don't normally share a lot of truly personal stuff as I tend to be fairly private except for those that I'm closest with, but I have to just admit that 2020 has been my own personal "Annus horribilis", (as the Queen of England once described the year 1992). Very quickly after the bulk of this covid-19 mess took off and so many stay-at-home / self-isolating/quarantine orders began around the country in early March, I watched as much of my booked business for the rest of 2020 quickly disappeared before my eyes, as cancellations by vendors mounted weekly (and still are), taking away all of the income for the summer and into the fall that would have come in, since as a travel agency owner I get paid when my guests actually depart on their trips. Despite all that bad, we've been ok as God has provided, and I've kept busy by serving in our church's Food Pantry two days each week and DoorDashing the rest of the time to bring something in each week and help with both the household and business obligations. Dealing with all the cancellations and re-booking sucked, to be honest, and I kind of went into a funk for several weeks as no one was even considering booking anything...until a couple of weeks ago when I got two different requests for actual NEW travel, not just re-booking something that has been canceled.
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Travel Memories Getting Me Through Covid
Friday, May 8, 2020
I Miss Traveling
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
National Travel Advisor Day
"Together with its industry partners, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is celebrating the occasion on May 6, 2020, and extending its recognition and a heartfelt “thank you” to travel advisors nationwide for all the hard work that they put into taking care of the traveling public."
Remember that websites don't care about you or your trips, but travel advisors do!
Saturday, May 2, 2020
Travel Memory and No Croatia, for Me!
A Facebook memory popped up this morning. At this time two years ago, I was enjoying a wonderful expedition voyage with Hurtigruten. This week I was supposed to be in Croatia, but thanks to covid, I'm NOT. I miss traveling and hope it can resume soon. There's so much to see and experience in this beautiful world of ours.
Friday, May 1, 2020
The Cancelations Continue
Last Friday the last of my summer client departures were canceled by the vendors. Today the fall break cancellations began, this time by clients. Oh, such fun. I "can't wait" to see how many more happen like that. So much fear has been instilled in people's minds because of this mess. 😔
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Continuing Ed - Hospitality & Tourism Management
Using part of this crazy time to do some additional coursework and learning. This is one of the programs I've been working on. The other will still take a while but continuing education is important, and with all travel shut down yet for a while, it's a great time to get it done.
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Passing the Time during Covid with Puzzles
As I continue to pass the time during covid with some puzzles, here's a throwback to one of my favorite puzzles I've ever done. I completed this beauty on my Hurtigruten voyage around the Gulf of St Lawrence in May 2018. Sadly I had to leave it on the ship and couldn't bring it home.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
During Covid, travel plans have become a bit tough to navigate!
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Covid Cancelations - We Will Get Through it All
Another long day with all of this mess going on that has disrupted lives everywhere, but there is resilience in the travel industry and things will return in time. The cancellations and suspensions continue but the re-bookings for future dates have begun, so there is light at the end of the tunnel. Now time to shut down and go read a book, play a game, or do something with the rest of the ones who are self-isolating in my household. Have a great night all!
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Cancelations, Changes, & Rebooking for the Future
This past week saw many dominos fall thanks to the voluntary suspension of travel by so many vendors, and all but two of my business' departures over the next four weeks have been canceled. The week ahead is already full of rebooking for future dates as 95% of my guests have chosen to still go, just at a later date. Travel and tourism, and all those of us in the industry absolutely need you in the months ahead! Don't stop traveling after this covid mess ends.
#travel #tourism #changethedate #wewillgetbeyondcovid #seetheworld #takethetrip
Thursday, March 12, 2020
NOW More Than Ever, Your local Travel Agent Needs Your Business
To All My Friends, you know I work in the Travel Industry. You’ve seen so many posts about my travel experiences and the importance of booking with a travel agent. NOW more than ever, your local agent needs your business.