Use Your Mobile When You’re Mobile

| August 30, 2017
Traveler using smartphone

You probably already own the greatest travel safety innovation ever invented – it’s your smart phone. Before you leave on any trip, take advantage of the tools available on this miniature computer you can carry in your pocket.

Snap It

  • Take photos of your important documents, like your passport and flight information
  • If you are travelling with children, take pictures of them each morning in the clothes they are wearing, in case you need to describe them if they get lost
  • Take pictures of street signs and the address of your hotel to show taxi drivers if there’s trouble communicating

Use the Cloud

  • Back up your document photos to a cloud service you can access from another device in case your phone is lost or stolen
  • Install and and update your banking app in case your card is lost or stolen you and need to access your account
  • Create a digital note with emergency numbers – for example, your travel agent, your credit card company and your emergency contact – and upload it to the cloud or email it yourself

Protect Your Device

  • Before you go, check in with your service provider to see what cell coverage is like at your destination. You can buy additional data or voice packages, or you may decide it’s better to leave your mobile in airplane mode during your trip and connect to WiFi when you can.
  • If you haven’t already, activate a password or thumbprint lock on your phone
  • Install or activate a ‘find my phone’ service that allows you to shut your phone down if it is stolen, or locate it if it is lost. You may need to create a special login to do this, so don’t wait ’til you’re boarding the plane to get this done
  • With the convenience of saved contacts, many of us no longer know even our spouses’ phone number. Write down important numbers on that ancient analog technology, a piece of paper, and keep it with your travel documents.

Savvy Travel Safety Tips

| August 30, 2017
Family traveling together

Most savvy travellers already know the basics when it comes to staying safe abroad. Don’t flash your cash, research and buy appropriate travel insurance, and put your valuables in a safe. But you can do more to protect yourself and ensure a trouble-free vacation by learning more about your destination before you go.

Your travel agent can help you find out exactly what’s up on the ground at your destination. Of course you’ll need to know if there are any areas you should avoid, but it’s also nice to know why, so you can make informed decisions. Is the area known for pickpockets, a risk that might be worth taking to enjoy a spectacular night out, or is crime in the area more serious?

What’s the health care system like at your destination? It’s always wise to know the name and location of the nearest hospital to your accommodations, but add information about walk-in clinics, toll-free help lines and emergency service numbers to your arsenal.

When it comes to transportation, your travel agent can fill you in on what’s available. Is the public transportation good, reliable, and safe? If taxis are licensed, how do you recognize a legitimate service? If they aren’t, what’s a good rate? In many countries, private citizens run minivans or bus services that can be unpredictable but perfectly safe. When you have good information, you can decide how much of an adventure you’re willing to have!

With the proliferation of travel review sites, there are many ways to research your destination and accommodations, but the sheer amount of information can be overwhelming, and often, not terribly relevant. Your agent can help you find good sources, like blogs written by expats or travellers, recent and relevant reviews, and government tourist information sites.

Be safe, and have fun out there.

Testimonial: So tuned in to our needs

| August 3, 2017

Our family getaway to Costa Rica was perfect. Thank you for being so tuned in to our needs. Rest, surf, beach, amazing culture, delicious meals was exactly what the doctor ordered. We’re ready to plan our next adventure.

—- Sandra, Forrest Hills, New York

Testimonial: Spectacular Vacation

| August 3, 2017

We had a spectacular vacation filled with A1 choice hotels, professional guides, much attention to detail, eating incredible food and seeing sites I couldn’t believe. Everything has been perfectly thought out and wonderful. Thanks!

–—Dr. Lucie Opatrny, Montreal, Quebec

Testimonial: Attention to every detail

| August 3, 2017

Thanks for organizing this memorable trip to Argentina. Your attention to every detail was much appreciated. The accommodations were luxurious and well located. The guides and drivers were highly professional, attentive and every day was filled with fun learning experiences.

—-Peter, Montreal, Quebec

Testimonial: Tailor-made Dream Holiday

| August 3, 2017

What can I say, from the moment we met at the the airport my dream holiday started right there, we were a perfect group for our amazing trip, humor galore. When the gates opened at Villa II Paradisino, I thought I had died and gone to heaven, so beautiful. Costanza, our host, and all of her lovely family made us feel so welcome, and as for the food, out of this world. Our two tour guides Francesca & her husband were just wonderful, extremely knowledgeable they really made our trip interesting and fun.

—-Marianne Bernstein, Toronto, Ontario

Testimonial: ultimate adventure

| August 3, 2017

Our trip to the Galapagos was exceptional! We walked among the penguins, sea lions, blue footed boobies and giant tortoises.  And our extended stay at an Andean estancia was magical. From the hand-embroidery workshop, archaeological sites, cheese factory and equestrian challenges, we had the ultimate experience. Thank you for handling all the details so we could enjoy every moment in Ecuador.

—-Terry, Hudson, Quebec

Bespoke Travel Services Now Trending

| March 14, 2017

As demand steadily rises for Bespoke Travel Services, travel consultants continue to demonstrate their value by creating rewarding customer experiences.

Why Bespoke Travel?

Desiring a more personalized level of customer service as compared to the standard book online options, the discerning traveler who seeks bespoke travel services wants to be part of the conception of their journey; They have no desire to search through a list of preset itineraries but rather, they want to be involved in creating the itinerary – “This is where Travel Consultants shine!” says Shirlie Mauer director of Voyages GAM SPS Travel. “They offer tailored recommendations based on their vast experience and in depth knowledge of travel destinations. They know what’s available and what is possible allowing their clients to create a realistic travel plan that they will enjoy.”

With this customized approach Bespoke Travel Service providers are allowing the traveler to become an active participant in the decision making process regarding the type of program, pace, and activity level of their voyage.

It’s all about the ‘Extras’

Travel consultants are also able to provide a wide selection of a la carte ancillary services, allowing the journey to be even more customized at every stage. These services can transform a traveler’s trip from standard to high-end with options such as sightseeing excursions with private guides, chauffeur service, private chefs, wine tasting, spa treatments and more – the skies the limit.

In addition to the luxury add-ons, travel consultants are able to assist with services such as travel insurance, car hire and foreign exchange. Having this capability essentially allows them to handle every last detail of a traveler’s journey. It is this above and beyond level of service that travelers have come to expect with Bespoke Travel.

Trending high with Millennials

The appeal of a one-of-a-kind vacation packages personalized to the traveler’s needs is notably growing in popularity with Millennials, 34% of whom reported using a travel agent in 2016, according to a MMGY report. The report also showed that the higher the cost of the travel plan being purchased, the more likely it is for the traveler to place their trust in a professional travel consultant to manage their journey

Families seeking Bespoke Travel Services

Travel consultants report that families are especially seeking-out bespoke travel services in an effort to ensure memorable life experiences with their loved ones and closest friends. Families tend to go big on vacations especially multi-generation family vacations where entire villas are rented or yachts are chartered to comfortably accommodate the entire family.

Notable shift from online automated booking services to personalized services

As popularity for curated travel experiences increase the spotlight has panned back to Travel Consultants and the value they add to the vacation experience.

According to an ASTA survey, in 2016 demand for travel agents hit a three year high. 23% of travelers were found to have booked with a travel agent.

An American Express survey echoed this upward trend in favor of professional travel consultants. It found that overall usage of Travel Agent services was up 79% for 2016.

Testimonial: Tailor-made Travel

| January 24, 2017

We just returned from our South American adventure and I wanted to write to thank you for your wonderful guidance, suggestions and organization. I am certain we could not have navigated such a successful, interesting trip without the very personal attention you provided. From the moment we stepped off the plane to be greeted by your guide until the last day of our trip, the depth of your knowledge and the richness of your recommendations were obvious, including your restaurant recommendations. Voyage GAM SPS Travel are miracle workers.

—-Jack and Martha Davis, Honolulu, Hawaii