Thank you to George Johns, of Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, for graciously extending me a lei greeting at the Hawaii Destination Specialist Training this week! The native Hawaiian practice of ho'okipa, or greeting and welcoming of strangers, is deeply embedded in the Hawaiian culture. Some people go on vacation to a destination and think they are a 'specialist' but this was serious training. It took a full day to learn the unique characteristics of each of the 6 Hawaiian Islands, the history and culture, the islands geography, tons of accommodation options and last but perhaps most importantly, the activities/events/cuisine and entertainment that is offered to meet every traveler's needs. I have visited the islands more than once, which helps put all the information in perspective. Many people are aware of the iconic activities such as visiting Pearl Harbor, attending a luau and seeing a waterfall. The benefit of talking with a Hawaii Specialist is planning the lesser-known activities that will give you the authentic cultural experience. For example, it isn't as widely known that if you visit Lana'i's northwest shore, there is a beautiful white sand beach that is a nesting ground from endangered green sea turtles. Or if you are foodie you will want to know all about the
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I would like to share a blog post from VIP attractions explaining why you should use the Fast Tract Service at Montego Bay Airport. I highly recommend it to all my clients and they thank me every time!
VIP Attractions says... It’s all too familiar…the dreaded feeling of frustration that arrives at the airport. If you’re travelling to Jamaica for the first time or you’ve made it your vacation destination, you may have an idea of how long lines and queues can add to your jetlag. That’s why we recommend our VIP Fast Track and Airport Lounge Service. There are many reasons to book this service. Here are ten to get you relaxed: 1. Saves time! Well of course it does! Fast track means speeding though immigration and custom lines. You’ll be whisked through security and pick up your luggage in less than 15 minutes after your arrival. Peak time arrivals at our two international airports result in long queues and an even longer waiting time. Our VIP Fast Track Arrival and Departure services allows our members to skip all the long lines and in no time you will be seated in our one of our luxurious Airport Lounges while you wait on your flight or hotel shuttle. 2. Personalized preferential service Welcome (Insert name here)! The moment you disembark the flight, a warm and friendly Jamaican smile awaits you with a paddle bearing your name. From here, you are escorted to a special immigration counter then assisted with the retrieval of your luggage at baggage claim. You are then whisked through customs and on your way to relaxation. 3. Hassle-free travelling Whether you’re travelling alone or in groups for a special occasion, your airport experience can become confusing and unpleasant. With our Fast Track Service, we provide special assistance to large groups, couples attending their destination wedding or honeymoon, families wishing to ease the stress especially with young children, and business groups with no time to spare. 4. No more anxieties Unaccompanied minors, expecting mothers and senior citizens are among the vulnerable groups who dread the airport hassle. Our dedicated representative will be with you or your child though each moment until you find your driver. For departure, we will do the very same and ensure your comfort until you board the plane. 5. Avoid the crowd Your average departure or arrival line may be disorganized and painfully confusing. By booking the VIP Fast Track Service, you are guaranteed to be escorted through a special line to quickly pass through security and get on with your business or vacation. Consider the number of flights arriving at the airports, totaling hundreds of passengers in any given hour. Bypassing another 30-40 people lined up and waiting to get through, is a relief for our VIP guests. 6. Relax in style After being expedited through immigrations and customs, our guests relax in our departure or arrival lounge. Imagine enjoying complimentary snacks and hot or cold beverages while waiting for your flight or driver in comfort. You may be jetlagged, but our lounges give you the perfect opportunity to rewind with shower facilities, a state of the art business center, spa and exceptional customer service. Our aim is to give you the VIP treatment that you deserve. 7. Its affordable Remember you receive VIP treatment right throughout your journey with us. For arrival services at Club Mobay, adults are charged at US$50, while children at US$25 each. Club Kingston arrival services cost US$25 per adult and US$15 per child. To pre-book departure services, adults pay US$30, while children pay US$15 for Club Mobay. These prices are US$25 and US$15 respectively for Club Kingston Departures. You may also choose to book our Arrival and Departure bundle at both airports. For Club Mobay this costs US$80 per adult and US$40 per child, while Club Kingston bundle costs US$50 per adult and US$25 per child. Not bad considering we have been recently recognized as one of the leading Airport Lounges in the world. 8. Just breathe! You comfort is always our priority! As such, we provide excellent customer service from staff members who care. Your designated representative will always be available to assist you whether in the lounge or through selected lines. Our lounge spaces are also very spacious with a calm and relaxing atmosphere. 9. We’re flexible Our staff will go above and beyond to ensure you are comfortable. Upon booking our services, details of your arrival or departure may change. In the event of any changes to your itinerary, contact us immediately and we will reschedule your VIP experience. Let us know how we can improve your vacation. 10. It’s convenient Since 2011, we’ve made it our duty to offer VIP services in Jamaica’s international airports. We ease the stress of travel, starting and ending your vacation in style. We provide you with direction to get around the airport, and we will assist you every step of the way. Your peace of mind is guaranteed when you book VIP Fast Track Service. When my client called and asked me to plan a Heli-ski and Cat Ski trip, I told him I would be happy to find someone who knew what the hell he was talking about. I have had skis on my feet exactly twice. Once when I was about 16, and did it to look cool, and once when my daughter was 3, and I skied right over her... literally. To say I have no experience with skiing is an understatement. As a result, I wanted to run from planning this trip. But my client said to me, "I trust you, you can plan it. If you don't plan it we will never go." I felt the love and accepted the challenge! So, I went to work researching Heliskiing and Cat Skiing. In case you don't know, let me fill you in, these are two distinct methods of getting to untouched snow in the middle of nowhere and skiing down ridiculously difficult terrain. It is banned in several countries in Europe and only exists in certain areas. It is not my cup of tea, but that doesn't mean I can't plan an amazing adventure for someone who absolutely loves it. I put together the most adventurous ski package; handled all the details including ski rentals, transfers, accommodations and even made sure they were being fed as they bravely skied where no man has gone before. A huge shout out to Linda Kroiss at Merit who helped me tremendously to find the right contacts. Eagle Pass Heliskiing and Mustang Powder were not only amazing resources for me to learn about this thrilling sport, but also hosted my clients as if they were family. The pictures are breathtaking and my clients had the time of their lives! The moral of the story is don't get caught up if your travel professional hasn’t been to a certain resort, city, or country. The best travel planners are expert RESEARCHERS and will do everything they can to arrange the perfect trip! The clients feedback: "Living the dream! Thanks, all was perfect. Magical in fact! Worth every penny." Photo credits to Eric B. |
AuthorI enjoy guiding clients through the planning process: from finding the right destination to organizing the logistics and finally hearing about the trip upon your return! I am a strong advocate for my clients when it comes to price, quality and service. Trust and building lasting relationships along with continuing education are all extremely important to my business. Categories
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