This week on Tales of a Travel Agent, Becky returns from an 11 day river cruise adventure with plenty to report. From unexpected luxury on board to the realities of “market research” eating, the pair dive into the highs, the hilarity and the questionable calories of life on the water.
But it would not be this podcast without the conversation taking a sharp turn into the bizarre. Becky brings an update on the world of swinging cruises (yes, they exist and yes, they are sold out for years), which sparks a very serious discussion about bedding, theatres and whether the two hosts should book a cabin purely for “research purposes”.
Jake also highlights an important side of the travel industry that is rarely talked about: agent wellbeing during major travel disruptions, including a shout out to the ABTA Lifeline and why support for agents matters just as much as looking after customers.
Meanwhile Becky shares stories from the River Cruise Conference, including surprising discoveries about a cruise line she did not expect to love, meeting listeners of the podcast in real life, and accidentally winning a luxury fam trip.
The episode wraps up with a practical discussion for travel agents about exhibiting at events and wedding fairs, why so many agents are scared to do it, and why just getting out there can transform your business.
In this episode:
• The reality of swinging cruises and why they sell out years in advance
• Becky’s 11 day river cruise tour and the ships that impressed her most
• Why food is such an important part of the cruise experience
• Getting recognised by podcast listeners in the wild
• Winning a luxury river cruise fam trip
• Why agent mental health matters during travel disruptions
• How travel agents can use exhibitions and events to grow their business
Got a funny travel story or industry experience to share?
Email us: talesofatravelagent@gmail.com
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