When you hire a travel consultant, you’ll be required to sign a consulting contract, so you’ll want to ensure you hire the right professional. Compared to a travel agent, a consultant provides a much more personalized service with the intent of ensuring your trip caters to your tastes. With that in mind, there are certain things you’ll want to look for in your next travel consultant.
Specialized Knowledge
Before you enter into a consulting agreement, you’ll want to ensure your travel consultant has the expertise to provide you with a high level of service. A consultant is much more than a travel agent in that consultants must be familiar with a wide range of services. Even if they’re unfamiliar with your destination, they should have the resources to provide the personalized service you require.
Outgoing Personality
You should like your travel consultant and grow to trust him. Since a consulting contract requires that the relationship provides you with personalized service, it will be necessary for the consultant to get to know you. When you feel comfortable to talk openly and share your interests, likes and dislikes, and fears, you’ll receive a much better quality of service. Conversely, if consultant’s demeanor doesn’t put you at ease, you’ll be less likely to share important details about yourself.
Excellent Communication Skills
Most travel consultants use a standard consulting agreement template and other form documents, so they may not be the best writers. However, it’s their oral communication skills that really matter. If they seem unable to fully express the intent behind their words with you, how well will they relate to airline personnel, hotel staff, and other service personnel? The stronger their communication skills, the better their ability to make any special arrangements you may need.
Listening Skills
The travel consultant’s ability to communicate well should be supplemented by his willingness and ability to listen. Often, people may seem like their listening, when they’re really more interested in thinking about how they want to control the conversation. This will be apparent when they respond and don’t address whatever concerns you just expressed. Your travel consultant should not only address your concerns, but should leave you with the feeling that your needs are as important to them as they are to you.
Previous Client Reviews
When it comes down to it, you’ll largely have to rely on your own intuition, when deciding whether or not to sign a consulting agreement. However, you can back up your instincts with the real experiences of previous clients. There are a number of websites that allow users to post reviews of their experiences with various businesses. The Better Business Bureau and Yelp are just two resources you might use to see what others have to say about your potential consultant. While a few negative reviews are to be expected, an overwhelming majority of negative reviews may indicate this isn’t the right consultant for you.
When you do decide to hire one travel consultant, be sure to read the agreement carefully. Even though they may be using a consulting agreement template, there may be important clauses added to the document that can affect your professional relationship. Choosing the right consultant and reading documents thoroughly will help ensure you have a positive and enjoyable experience.
Author Bio: Adrian Rubin is a climate change advocate and freelance writer.