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To Travel Or Not To Travel In 2020

To Travel Or Not To Travel In 2020??

We know many of you are eager to travel; so are we!!  However, we are recommending to our clients that they not travel right now (especially internationally) because we just can’t offer or guarantee the pre-Covid-19 experience that we strive to provide to all our travel customers.

Currently our agency isn’t selling any travel for 2020 at all, because as travel professionals, we feel it isn’t right to encourage anyone to risk their lives or well being just to take a trip.  However, for those travelers who are itching to go somewhere, we are providing options (and some great specials) for travel in 2021.  With relaxed cancellation and refund policies through our preferred tour operators, Plan Now – Travel Later, is a great option to satisfy your travel blues.

As the Covid-19 pandemic rages on, the growing uncertainties about how long it will last, what aspects of travel are safe and what the travel experience will be like puts focus on the fine line that we as travel advisors and travel suppliers are walking between keeping our businesses afloat and risking long-term damage to our reputation and our customer relationships that we have built over the years by selling the wrong trip, or selling too soon.

This was made more evident recently with the cruise industry, which made headlines anew last week as passengers on several of the first ships to set sail since the pandemic began testing positive for Covid-19, despite recording negative tests just before their departure. There has been some criticism that the cruise restarted sailing too soon.  Most cruise lines are currently halting sailings untli the end of October when they will once again re-evaluate whether to resume cruising at that time.

While we would love to get back on the road as soon as possible, as we know you all do, we at Trasformativa are taking an increasingly cautious approach as the crisis has dragged on and uncertainties have mounted. Travel protocols are constantly changing, flights continue to be cancelled, and obtaining Covid test results in a timely manner for travel authorization, are just a few of the stumbling blocks we are seeing on an ongoing basis.

We are in constantly in contact with our preferred tour operators and Tourist Board representatives and ask that they be vocal, and honest, about whether it is safe, or not for our travel customers to come to their destinations.

While many guided tour and group travel companies and cruise lines have officially pushed back start dates only through the fall, conversations about restarting is increasingly focused on 2021; and when in 2021 is still a question mark.

What we are telling our travel clients who call us and are eager to travel, as many Caribbean islands are opening again to tourism, we are telling everybody, don’t push it, because we would hate to make a booking only to have to cancel or rebook it down the road; or even worse….. have a bad travel experience.  As we say at Trasformativa, You Can’t Return A Bad Vacation!!

We know you are itching to travel, as we are still fielding a lot of calls, but we’re also encouraging our travel customers not to book now because we know our clients.  Our clients expect a certain level of experience when they book a trip with us, and we don’t want you to be disappointed and not have the experience that you are expecting or hoping for.

The thing is, it’s not about something or a destination being open. If our customers are going to spend all this money, they don’t want to spend it for a different experience than they are expecting. You don’t want to walk around the hotel in a mask. You want to use the spa, and you don’t want to sit in the restaurants or at breakfast at the hotel and it’s not that enjoyable experience you want it to be.

While some travelers are opting for a domestic destination this summer, they have a good time, but it wasn’t the experience they wanted for the money they spent.

So…Be Patient!!  TRAVEL WILL RETURN!!!  For now, while we are obsessing over when we can travel again, right now we can and should be using this time to plan future travel and possibly booking travel and taking advantage of the great deals that are out there right now.  Again, with relaxed cancellation and refund policies in place, what have you go to lose???

 

 

TRAVEL IN COLOR – NOT BLACK AND WHITE

ABOUT TRASFORMATIVA TRAVEL

Trasformativa is a US based travel company with offices located in Durham, NC and Clarksville, VA.  We are  focused exclusively on transformational travel. Our experienced and qualified travel agents offer many different types of transformational travel opportunities. We work with individuals and groups of many sizes to help them find a true difference. Most of the people who contact us are luxury travelers and leaders of groups who are traveling together. This includes, yoga or fitness instructors, health and wellness professionals, human resource directors, sales managers, CEO’s, church group leaders, corporate trainers, personal chefs, wedding planners, brides, corporate travel professionals, and also individuals looking to plan an exciting and out-of-the-way trip for a group of their friends.

Our transformational opportunities include Exotic Group Travel, Jamaica Travel, Caribbean Travel, Europe Travel, Incentive Travel Reward Programs, Destination Training Events,  Autism Travel, Girls Getaway

To learn more, visit our website or call us at (919) 616-3780.

 

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The Coronavirus Diaries Of A Travel Agent

The Coronavirus Diaries Of A Travel Agent

Right now, I should be at the very apex of my busiest season. I should be answering multiple inquiries each day, booking dozens of flights, Caribbean resort stays and incredible trips across Europe. However, the only calls I am getting are to cancel upcoming trips, cruises and flights. The finer details of, say, a romp in the Maldives should be top of my mind. Instead, it’s the coronavirus.

I feel really bad for people that chose to book online right now. The global coronavirus pandemic has upended the travel industry, sending customers into a panic as they race to get refunds and reschedule upcoming trips. For travelers who booked their vacations with online booking agents such as Expedia or BookIt.com, the experience is compounded with frustration and anger as they struggle to get a hold of someone on the phone, and worry about potential money lost.

A press release came out from BookIt.com, who essentially shut down their entire operation, leaving their employees with no jobs and their customers to fend for themselves to cancel or rebook upcoming and/or future vacations, or even worse….. figuring out how to get home if they are currently traveling..

On social media, customers who booked with Expedia complained of excessively long call times and being unable to get through to a representative, leading to travelers being unable to make any changes to their travel plans or start refunds. Some people said they could not get a hold of someone for as much as 24 hours and one person said they called over 30 times. At one point, Expedia said “we are currently experiencing technical difficulties and can’t take your call right now.” What kind of customer service is that??

While airlines and hotels are issuing refunds for bookings made through advisors, those who booked online have to have their cancellation first go through Expedia; Good Luck!!

Sounds like a nightmare, doesn’t it? Well I can tell you, IT IS!! Our office has canceled and/or rebooked dozens of trips in the past few weeks, and it’s heartbreaking for us and for our business. But we are not a toll-free number for our clients, we are your friend and advocate, and we are working around the clock to do everything we can to protect our client’s interest. Instead of our clients wondering how to cancel or rebook their trip, and spending hours on the phone on hold to accomplish this, it is us, your Trusted Trasformativa Agent doing this for you. If you were actively traveling during the midst of the coronavirus chaos, we were on the phone with our tour operator creating an exit plan for our clients.

When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention started warning about coronavirus spreading in the U.S., the calls and emails of travel requests just shut off. Less than two weeks ago, I was so busy I could barely type fast enough to make all the reservations I needed to. Today, I’m writing this newsletter instead. I wasn’t an agent when 9/11 happened, but I’ve heard stories from older colleagues about the uncertainty and fear that surrounded travel and the sudden cessation of business in our industry. What’s happening now feels like what they’ve described.

But never fear…. this too shall pass and the travel industry will once again BOOM!!! Going forward I’m educating my clients on exciting destinations for future travel, and posting pictures of those destinations on my social media outlets, to peak some interest. And….. once we are free to travel again, the airlines, resorts and hotels are going to be offering FANTASTIC Specials and Deals for travelers to make up for the lost tourism during this pandemic. So…. give us a call and let’s make a plan so that we can jump on those deals when they are announced.

And remember, the next time you are planning your next travel adventure, be sure to book with your Trusted Trasformativa Agent, Your Partner In Travel!!

Stay Healthy!!!

 

TRAVEL IN COLOR – NOT BLACK AND WHITE

ABOUT TRASFORMATIVA TRAVEL

Trasformativa is a US based travel company with offices located in Durham, NC and Clarksville, VA.  We are  focused exclusively on transformational travel. Our experienced and qualified travel agents offer many different types of transformational travel opportunities. We work with individuals and groups of many sizes to help them find a true difference. Most of the people who contact us are luxury travelers and leaders of groups who are traveling together. This includes, yoga or fitness instructors, health and wellness professionals, human resource directors, sales managers, CEO’s, church group leaders, corporate trainers, personal chefs, wedding planners, brides, corporate travel professionals, and also individuals looking to plan an exciting and out-of-the-way trip for a group of their friends.

Our transformational opportunities include Exotic Group Travel, Jamaica Travel, Caribbean Travel, Europe Travel, Incentive Travel Reward Programs, Destination Training Events,  Autism Travel, Girls Getaway

To learn more, visit our website or call us at (919) 616-3780.

 

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Lost Passport While Traveling? Don’t Worry…. It Doesn’t Have to Ruin Your Vacation

You’ve Lost Your Passport While Traveling? It Doesn’t Have to Ruin Your Vacation

A stolen or lost passport while traveling shouldn’t ruin a vacation.  There are a variety of ways that you can protect yourself and obtain emergency replacements.

Still, sometimes things can go sideways if you don’t have back-up plans in place.  Always make sure to make a copy or two of your passport and government issued ID, and keep it separate from your original documents.  Additionally, take a picture with your phone.  Another recommendation is to give a copy of these documents to a friend or family member who is not traveling with you, who can provide copies to the authorities should you not be able to.  At Trasformativa, we keep our clients’ passport information and copies on file for situations like this.

If your passport is lost or stolen, report it to the police and then head to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate with your travel document copies. At the Embassy or Consulate, you will need to fill out some forms and pay the fees, which is normally what you would pay at home for an emergency passport ($145-$200).  However, once home you are able to exchange your temporary passport for a fully valid one without any additional fees.

When our clients are traveling internationally, we remind them to do these three things:

1. Keep your passport on your person at all times, in a cross-body bag that has a safety pin closing the compartment the passport is in, as well as on the top zipper of the bag.

2. Never take that bag off your person while exploring, even when eating at a cafe or other restaurant. Pickpockets live for travelers putting their bags down for “just a second.”

3. Keep copies of your passport in your luggage, with a contact back at home, and in your email account, so they can be accessed easily anywhere, at any time, to speed up the replacement process overseas.

 

There are a multitude of things that can go wrong while you are traveling; however, while losing your passport entails some bureaucratic obstacles, it’s not a devastating travesty.   Don’t let a passport setback ruin the rest of your trip.

 

TRAVEL IN COLOR – NOT BLACK AND WHITE

ABOUT TRASFORMATIVA TRAVEL

Trasformativa is a US based travel company with offices located in Durham, NC and Clarksville, VA.  We are  focused exclusively on transformational travel. Our experienced and qualified travel agents offer many different types of transformational travel opportunities. We work with individuals and groups of many sizes to help them find a true difference. Most of the people who contact us are luxury travelers and leaders of groups who are traveling together. This includes, yoga or fitness instructors, health and wellness professionals, human resource directors, sales managers, CEO’s, church group leaders, corporate trainers, personal chefs, wedding planners, brides, corporate travel professionals, and also individuals looking to plan an exciting and out-of-the-way trip for a group of their friends.

Our transformational opportunities include Exotic Group Travel, Jamaica Travel, Caribbean Travel, Europe Travel, Retreat Group Travel, Culinary & Vineyard Group Travel, Wellness Travel Retreats, Incentive Travel Reward Programs, Destination Training Events, Corporate Wellness Retreats, Team Building Retreats, Fitness Retreats, Yoga & Meditation Retreats, Juice & Cleanse Retreats, Spirituality Retreats, and Autism Travel, Girls Getaway

To learn more, visit our website or call us at (919) 616-3780.

 

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A CEO who gives his employees $2,000 to go on vacation!! WHAT!!!

Why Would A CEO Give His Employees $2,000 To Go On Vacation??

More than half of American workers don’t use all of their paid vacation days, according to an annual report from the U.S. Travel Association.

Employees said that worries about work were the biggest factor holding them back from taking time off. Even when they do take time off, many find it hard to disconnect from their responsibilities in the office, continuing to check emails or take calls.

Want to know how to make your employees happier and more productive??

The CEO of SteelHouse, a marketing and advertising company in California, gives his employees $2,000 a year to go on vacation, and his employees are more productive than ever!!

And…. this particular CEO doesn’t give his workers a choice when it comes to taking a vacation, they must go!! They can either take one long vacation in the year, or they can opt to break it into shorter ones. Either way, they have to get some quality rest and “me time”.

Studies show that many workers can’t bring themselves to take vacations, and most companies don’t issue vacation bonuses.  For companies that do give vacation bonuses in the form of cash, many people are usually tempted to forgo vacation and put that money into something else, like bills. At SteelHouse, when team members refuse to go on vacation and request cash instead, this CEO says, “I actually want you to go somewhere and enjoy yourself.”

People are happier when they are treated like executives in their workplaces. A good employer must have the best interest of his employees at heart. While vacations are not only necessary to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul, it also allows a person to discover a higher sense of passion and drive for increased productivity.

In their second year of business, the CEO of SteelHouse decided to really up the ante and make things easier for employees. He gives every employee a $2,000 bonus every year that can ONLY be spent on vacation trips. They can go wherever in the world they they want to relax and recuperate.  It’s one thing to say ‘You have three weeks’ vacation,” as most companies do, but it’s another to to say “You have cash, and if you don’t go on vacation and spend this money, the money literally goes to waste.’

Value Your Employees!!

The CEO of SteelHouse encourages other companies to hold tight and value their employees with initiatives such as theirs. Not only will they be in for the long haul with the company, but they’ll be more efficient and productive, giving their jobs and duties the best performance and attention they can.

In 2013 and 2016, out of 250 employees, the SteelHouse lost only three, and of  those who left, it was due to reasons not related to the job.  They have virtually zero turnover.

Statistics have shown that employees would rather be rewarded with a “vacation” rather then a cash bonus that they would most likely be spent on bills! Contact us to learn how a sales or production travel incentive program can create happier and more productive employees.

TRAVEL IN COLOR – NOT BLACK AND WHITE

ABOUT TRASFORMATIVA TRAVEL

Trasformativa is a US based travel company with offices located in Durham, NC and Clarksville, VA.  We are  focused exclusively on transformational travel. Our experienced and qualified travel agents offer many different types of transformational travel opportunities. We work with individuals and groups of many sizes to help them find a true difference. Most of the people who contact us are luxury travelers and leaders of groups who are traveling together. This includes, yoga or fitness instructors, health and wellness professionals, human resource directors, sales managers, CEO’s, church group leaders, corporate trainers, personal chefs, wedding planners, brides, corporate travel professionals, and also individuals looking to plan an exciting and out-of-the-way trip for a group of their friends.

Our transformational opportunities include Exotic Group Travel, Jamaica Travel, Caribbean Travel, Europe Travel, Retreat Group Travel, Culinary & Vineyard Group Travel, Wellness Travel Retreats, Incentive Travel Reward Programs, Destination Training Events, Corporate Wellness Retreats, Team Building Retreats, Fitness Retreats, Yoga & Meditation Retreats, Juice & Cleanse Retreats, Spirituality Retreats, and Autism Travel, Girls Getaway

To learn more, visit our website or call us at (919) 616-3780.

 

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The Benefits Of Going On Vacation With Your Girlfriends

So…. What are The Benefits Of Going On Vacation With Your Girlfriends??

We recently just returned from our TrasformaDiva Girls Getaway 2019 at the beautiful Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall in Montego Bay Jamaica, and did we have a BLAST.  We were a groups of friends, acquaintances and strangers; however, when we left Jamaica, we were a family, and ready to do it again in 2020.

The TrasformaDiva Girls Getaway is an annual girl’s getaway sponsored by our company; we invite those women who deserve a break. Grab your mother, sister,daughter or friends and travel with us to fabulous destinations. This is the break every woman needs!! Our TrasformaDiva participants are of all ages, so everyone is welcome; however, over 18 is required. We are a diverse group of ladies that love the sun, shop, swim, surf, serenity or simply some well-needed rest. Once you attend, you will put it on your calendar every year.

The tricky part about a trip with the girls is working around everyone’s schedules. When you’ve successfully planned it all out, it’ll feel like a dream come true.  We announce our upcoming trip 9-12 months out so that our ladies can plan ahead, so they can be sure to attend.

Whether you’re camping in the mountains, taking a road trip, or splurging on a luxury tropical vacation, being with your best friends makes any experience even more special.  I was lucky enough this year to have my two lifelong best friends join me on this years trip and we hope to do it every year going forward.

Even though private romantic getaways with our significant others are just as heavenly as they sound, it’s seriously hard to beat a trip with your girl squad.

Here are just a couple of reasons why trips with your girl squad will always be more fun than a getaway with your significant other.

You’ll Make Inside Jokes Galore

One of the perks of traveling with your close friends is that you’ve already got a stash of inside jokes ready to reference when the time is right. It’s a sure fire way to lighten the mood and send everyone into fits of laughter, and boy DID WE LAUGH!! By the end of your trip, you’ll have even more inside jokes to laugh about with your besties.

You’re With A Solid Team Of Photographers

You can’t beat the photos you get from your girl squad as they help you take the perfect photo for Facebook or Instagram.  Check out our TrasformaDiva 2019 photo album.

You’ll Have Prime Girl Talk Time

As much as you love the men in your life, nothing beats the kind of bond you get from girl talk. There’s something so comforting about commiserating over your man problems or any other drama you’re experiencing; your girl squad is always there to listen and offer advice.

It’s More Affordable

The larger the group, the less cash each individual has to dish out. You can squeeze most, if not all, of your squad into a hotel room.  We didn’t squeeze this year, though, we upgraded to a one bedroom ocean front suite and it was FABULOUS!! The universe wants you to travel with your friends.  Sharing is caring, after all.

The Buddy System Keeps You Safe

The unfortunate truth is that the world isn’t nearly as safe for women as it is for men. Luckily, being in groups can eliminate a lot of the risk that comes with traveling. Even if your group decides to split up, no one will be alone. You can all work to keep each other safe so you can have the best trip possible. We always make sure that we use our trusted in-country guides when we are traveling to an unfamiliar city or country, just to ensure our safety. Our guide Kevin from Island Dream Tour took us on a great tour through Montego Bay where we got to learn about and see first hand what it is like to live in Montego Bay.  We also got to have some yummy treats along the way to include a Jamaican Chicken Patty from Juicie Patty and some authentic Jerk Chicken at the famous Scotchies.

A girl’s getaway is a bond forming experience where we girls form another dimension to our friendships and use this experience to create unforgettable memories; I know we did on this trip, we nurtured old friendships and formed some new, and look forward to the next time we are together.

Do you need a Getaway With The Girls???  Well, we have the answer for you!!  Join us on our annual TrasformaDiva Girls Getaway.  We’ll be announcing dates and destination for our 2020 trip next week.

 

TRAVEL IN COLOR – NOT BLACK AND WHITE

ABOUT TRASFORMATIVA TRAVEL

Trasformativa is a US based travel company with offices located in Durham, NC and Clarksville, VA.  We are  focused exclusively on transformational travel. Our experienced and qualified travel agents offer many different types of transformational travel opportunities. We work with individuals and groups of many sizes to help them find a true difference. Most of the people who contact us are luxury travelers and leaders of groups who are traveling together. This includes, yoga or fitness instructors, health and wellness professionals, human resource directors, sales managers, CEO’s, church group leaders, corporate trainers, personal chefs, wedding planners, brides, corporate travel professionals, and also individuals looking to plan an exciting and out-of-the-way trip for a group of their friends.

Our transformational opportunities include Exotic Group Travel, Jamaica Travel, Caribbean Travel, Europe Travel, Retreat Group Travel, Culinary & Vineyard Group Travel, Wellness Travel Retreats, Incentive Travel Reward Programs, Destination Training Events, Corporate Wellness Retreats, Team Building Retreats, Fitness Retreats, Yoga & Meditation Retreats, Juice & Cleanse Retreats, Spirituality Retreats, and Autism Travel, Girls Getaway

To learn more, visit our website or call us at (919) 616-3780.

 

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Why Travel Should Be A Part Of Your Self Care Regimen

Why Travel Should Be a Part Of Your Self Care Regimen

In Japan, there was a young journalist, who in one month worked 159 hours and then died!  In Japan, they have a term for this — it’s called “karoshi,” or death from overwork.

Last month, I wrote and article for my LinkedIn Profile called OVERWHELMED AMERICA: WHY DON’T WE USE OUR PAID TIME OFF? which talked about how many employees don’t take their earned time off and this is leading to overwhelming stress and burnout.

Studies show that young women are the most unlikely to use their vacation days. The women of our generation are burning out, faster than ever.

The main problem is that we become the victim of social expectations. We’re not taking time off because we’re afraid of being laid off by our bosses, judged by our co-workers, or don’t see how we can manage stepping away from our role without everything falling apart while we are gone. We’re glued to our jobs and not giving ourselves the opportunity to become un-glued and take some “ME Time”.  As a result, we are working more and more overtime, and no time for our body recuperate and reset, and then come back to center.

The Science Behind Stress

On a biochemical level, burnout and overdrive sends our bodies spiraling into a stress response, which releases cortisol into our bloodstream. Our body produces cortisol to help us respond when we’re in danger — like in a fight-or-flight situation, and that’s no state to live in. Yet, we are. And young women are the biggest victims living like this without a reprieve.

Stress is the leading cause for every major health condition we face in Western society, and it’s killing us, yet it is socially accepted, even praised.  People would rather be seen as a hard worker, instead of someone who takes time off to  make themselves a priority for their mental and physical well-being.

We can do all the meditating and working out we want, and drink all the green juices; however, we need something bigger!!   Sometimes we need to physically uproot ourselves, in order to allow our body a chance to reset.

This is where travel comes in

Traveling is a self-correcting mechanism for change.  When we embrace this and allow ourselves a long period of time to live in this realm, our body has its  own way of re-balancing our mind, body and soul.  It is Transfromative!!  This is why it is imperative that travel be a part of our self care regimen.

When we get rid of the stress and anxiety, take off the weight, go without medication, we create space for harmony in our lives.

Our body then start to create new neurological pathways, and serotonin starts to reproduce naturally. We feel better because we’re having new life experiences, laughing more, having long hugs and even longer conversations. We’re finding real connection, and doing things that bring us natural joy, and our emotions change, so we change.

It’s the norm to go to the doctor who just wants to prescribe medication to make you feel good; when in reality, all he really needs to prescribe is a VACATION!!  No laptop or cell phone, just totally disconnected.  Traveling to a faraway country with a different culture, begins the Transformation from within where your experiences can be defined as the consumption of leisure experiences through which we gain meaningful and lasting memories, knowledge, spiritual enrichment and skills to create lasting memories and a life changing experience.

Viewing travel as a part of our self-care routine, where it’s a slow and steady experience of coming back to center is what we need.  Making “ME” a “PRIORITY”.

It goes against our no-pain-no-gain society. But when we choose ourselves and prioritize our health, we realize feeling good has a ripple effect. When we feel good, we help everyone around us feel good too.

So…  Take The Trip And Spread The Good Vibes.

 

ABOUT TRASFORMATIVA TRAVEL

Trasformativa is a US based travel company with offices located in Durham, NC and Clarksville, VA.  We are  focused exclusively on transformational travel. Our experienced and qualified travel agents offer many different types of transformational travel opportunities. We work with individuals and groups of many sizes to help them find a true difference. Most of the people who contact us are luxury travelers and leaders of groups who are traveling together. This includes, yoga or fitness instructors, health and wellness professionals, human resource directors, sales managers, CEO’s, church group leaders, corporate trainers, personal chefs, wedding planners, brides, corporate travel professionals, and also individuals looking to plan an exciting and out-of-the-way trip for a group of their friends.

Our transformational opportunities include Exotic Group Travel, Jamaica Travel, Caribbean Travel, Europe Travel, Retreat Group Travel, Culinary & Vineyard Group Travel, Wellness Travel Retreats, Incentive Travel Reward Programs, Destination Training Events, Corporate Wellness Retreats, Team Building Retreats, Fitness Retreats, Yoga & Meditation Retreats, Juice & Cleanse Retreats, Spirituality Retreats, and Autism Travel,

To learn more, visit our website or call us at (919) 616-3780.

 

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