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Getting Destination Help
Travel Weekly Article - Hand in Hand
Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Santa Cruz Island

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Visit the Travel Weekly web site at http://www.travelweekly.com 

Hand in Hand 
Getting destination help 

hen demanding, discerning clients called to inquire about a trip to the Galapagos with a stay at the deluxe Royal Palm Hotel in Santa Cruz, Ecuador, Jolie Goldring knew she needed help. Although Goldring, a travel consultant at New York-based World Travel Specialists Group, is a pro at dealing with high-end clients, she had little direct knowledge about the Galapagos. 

She knew enough to contact Marcelo Vazquez, managing director of Far Hills, N.J.-based Waterstone Marketing, the firm that represented the Royal Palm Hotel. Vazquez put Goldring in touch with Judy Martin, president of Latin America Reservations Center (LARC) in Dundee, Fla., which reps ground operators and hotels throughout South America. 
 
Booking the Galapagos can be tricky for the uninitiated, said Martin. For instance, she is insistent that agents send clients to Quito, Ecuador, the jumping-off point for Galapagos trips, for two nights rather than one. "Flights can be canceled," said Martin. "If they don't make it on the first day, they'll make it on the second." 
 
Goldring's clients -- a couple and their 16-year-old son -- were enthusiastic about the Galapagos vacation, yet skittish about the prospect of anything going wrong. 
 
The clients ended up booking a weeklong vacation that included two nights in Quito prior to a stay at the Royal Palm Hotel, as well as time spent in the [Otavalo] region of Ecuador. "I was able to offer three different destinations because she [Martin] explained the values of each destination and what the clients could do," said Goldring. 
 
Because the clients were cautious, Martin had her ground contacts monitor the itinerary's progress closely. "I got a report every day from the hotels and the people carrying them around," she said. 
 
The trio came back with rave reviews, Goldring said, adding that she has booked two more sets of clients on South America trips -- with Martin's help, of course. 
 
"Hand in Hand" highlights successful examples of agents and suppliers working together. Send suggestions to Agent Life editor Claudette Covey at ccovey@ntmllc.com. 

Copyright 2003 Travel Weekly, Secaucus, New Jersey.  All rights reserved.
 

Call Today For Prices, Information, or Reservations!
TOLL FREE IN THE USA & CANADA: 1-800-327-3573
LOCAL / INTERNATIONAL: 1-863-439-1486     FAX: 1-863-439-2118

Copyright© 2003-2008   Latin America Reservation Center, Inc.   All rights reserved.

01/06/2008