Jun 05 2008
Specialty Travel
Those who have extensive knowledge when it comes to their field of specialty, or specific destinations to be more precise, simply by virtue of firsthand travel experience, are called specialty travel agents. These travel agents mostly know the destinations concerned like the back of their hands. Their passion helps in improving the travel experiences of other tourists.
Our society has become extremely computer dependant these days, and a lot of people thus tend to plan their trips and tours spending a lot of time researching and depending largely upon information available on the internet. Some others prefer relying upon local travel agents.
However, if someone is looking to make a particular trip really special, and wants to be provided with the best of available facilities at a reasonable rate, that is when they should turn to specialty travel agents. These agents can make a trip really stand out since they not only know the landmarks that one should really visit when it comes to specific places, and where they should dine or live, but they can also make such things available quite easily which others simply cannot even think of having any access to. Specialty travel agents can simply make your trips worth remembering an entire lifetime. They not only have local connections which help them in the long run, but they also keep an eye open when it comes to the satisfaction of their customers. Each and every detail is paid enough attention to. Be it providing you with the best room facilities, or making a brand of local liquor available if you are a true connoisseur, or arranging side trips which will cater to your interests and hobbies – with these specialty travel agents around, almost anything is possible.
Specialty travel agents largely depend upon recommendations by their customers, who have availed their services before. Travel agents are broadly divided into three categories, namely – Certified Travel Counselor (CTC), Destination Specialists (DS) and Lifestyle Specialists (LS). Those who have at least five years of experience and have in all likelihood attended some sort of an educational program and appeared for an exam before joining this profession, are awarded the CTC certificates. The holders of the Destination Specialist certificates are the ones who have not only taken all sorts of training required to get acquainted with their destinations of choice, but have actually visited these destinations personally as well, so as to develop local contacts. The Lifestyle Specialists, on the other hand, besides their lifestyle education, have gone on to hone their educational skills further and gain a lot of travel experience over the years.
In order to avail the services of these specialty travel agents, you can log on to the Specialty Travel Agents Association Website, and search for agents who deal with your particular field of interest. While arch engine helps you to do so, you must keep in mind that any travel agent that you opt for should have certification and experience when it comes to their field of specialty.