Although it’s familiar at this point — a new variant announced,
voicemails and inboxes flooded with concerned messages, possible
cancellations and much hesitation — it’s still just as frustrating as
the first time Covid-19 introduced itself to the travel industry in the
spring of 2020.
The Omicron variant is the newest Covid variant, making its
appearance just over a month ago, and it brought with it more disruption
to the struggling travel industry. Some destinations have updated entry
requirements; several cruise itineraries have been cancelled in the US,
and concerns have crept into the minds of people hoping to plan trips
in the new year.
Amid
all of this Omicron chaos, what are travel advisors supposed to do?
While hanging up your boots and finding another profession might seem
like the solution, just remember you’ve made it through other stages of
this pandemic, and you’ll make it through this one too.
The first step in selling travel amid the new variant is having
patience. It’s not easy, but just remember that everyone processes new
information differently — and what might seem minuscule to you could be
life-changing for a client.
Even if a new prospect is calling you with concerns prior to planning
a trip, it doesn’t mean they aren’t going to book. They are contacting
you, which means they want to travel.
Another crucial step to travel planning right now is staying up to
date with the ever-changing travel restrictions and protocols. Have
go-to Covid-19 resources bookmarked in your browser to easily access
during conversations.
Make sure you’re familiar with the protocols and be sure not to
belittle or exaggerate. If you’re sharing accurate information, your
clients will be able to make informed decisions regarding their travel
plans. If there’s something you’re not sure about, be honest and assist
in gathering the correct info.
When it comes time to book travel, preplanning is also vital in this
era. Make sure your clients have a travel insurance policy attached to
their trip and that they’re familiar with what it does and does not
include. Also, ensure they know what they need to do if cancellation is
necessary as the trip gets closer.
Finally,
don’t lose hope. A lot has been thrown at the travel industry, and
travel advisors in particular, over the past two years. This is just
another hurdle in the overall path to recovery. People are still
travelling. There are still plenty of safe ways for your clients to
vacation right now, and now more than ever they are looking to you to
help them get there.
Source: TravelPulse