This week's guest blog is by Co-Women member Hannah Newington, an ABTA-ATOL Independent Travel Agent affiliated with Inteletravel and highlighting what she does for business and why.
I am based in Saltdean so drop by anytime to discuss your next trip. I was overjoyed to find this group and said 'yes this is what I've been waiting for' , I joined this group to feel a sense of community belonging and to support others in a positive way. In my spare time I love growing home grown food in my garden ,keen on self-sufficiency projects, and keep four pet tortoises and hens. I am a homeschooling mum so I work my life around this and it works very well.
An opportunity came my way to become trained and work in travel, and the option to work from home around my family responsibilities seemed appealing as I also have poor health that at times dictates the success of the day. Not to mention choosing my own hours and being able to earn and save on my own travel, including free educational trips to new ships and resorts openings, it was hard to refuse.
I am currently listening to 'Think Rich and Grow Rich' by Napoleon Hill and 'Rich dad poor dad' by Robert Kyosaki. This gives me a positive outlook to stay focused on my goals. I have found listening to the 13 Principles to Riches by Earl Nightingale useful in helping and training the mind to think positively to succeed, still working on this! Once I realized that the sky is the limit to earn and save in the Travel Industry there was no turning back and no regrets, although marketing and networking doesn't come naturally to me, I find it hard. The incentives and ongoing training and support are second to none in this business. For more info on doing this alongside your current commitments please contact me to discuss.
It feels good to shop local right? It feels better to help a small local business succeed rather than to line the pockets of a big company or impersonal website and brings a fuller sense of community.
I have recently become a member of Cruise Liners International Association (CLIA) this has involved many hours of accredited training in the knowledge of various cruise lines, ship passages and itinerary, how to put together best offer combinations and so on along with personalizing the trip so memories are made. Alongside this, I have trained as a Sandals and Beaches expert having undertaken their training and have spent time on their Carribean islands.
So why use an Independent Travel Agent?
I am a real person not a bot, no website will get to know you personally or work harder to deliver your travel dreams ,Don't ask a machine to put an itinerary together for you! A machine will not cater to your needs or preferences. I will check your documents and paperwork are all in order before you travel to be word perfect, you would be surprise how many people still make mistakes while submitting information online whether due to human imperfection or learning difficulties, once its submitted they then have to pay to rectify, with an Independent Travel Agent this is not the case .To know more or discuss any future travel plans, I can be contacted via email or you can visit my website