How to Have a Successful Travel Plan
According to 20 things People Regret the Most Before they Die: Number 10 is: “I wished I had traveled more.” The author states travel can be done at any age, with kids or not but many talk themselves out of travel for all kinds of reasons such as lack of money, mortgage, children, etc. When there’s a regret, you know it could have been possible at some stage. (http://www.lifehacked.org)
Are you talking yourself out of travel? I have worked as a travel consultant for a number of years and I know that people really want to travel. I wish I could report that I have more successful travel plan stories than I have unsuccessful stories. Unfortunately, all too often plans fall apart. There are so many reasons that people decide to back out of their travel plans.
The most popular reason has to be commitment. People must ask themselves are they really committed to taking their vacation. If there is a true commitment to taking that well deserved vacation, nothing except a true emergency can stop a person from going through with their travel plans.
Budget is another reason that causes travel plans to unravel. This reason can be explained in many different ways from not having enough funds to travel, to not having a realistic travel budget. It’s important that you know your budget, exactly how much can you afford in order to make this trip happen? Do you have a realistic travel itinerary? Are you trying to travel to one of the most expensive Caribbean Islands, such as Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Turks, etc., and you really aren’t financially prepared to spend what it takes to travel to those islands? Or you can afford to travel to one of those expensive destinations; however, your budget will be so tight and once you arrive you will not be able to enjoy yourself. It may be wise for you to travel to an island that offer resorts with an all-inclusive plan that meets your budget as well as your lifestyle. The worst thing is to go on vacation and you run out of money before the vacation ends. An all-inclusive plan will allow you to avoid coming out of pocket for your meals, drinks and many of your activities.
Once you know your budget, how exactly are you going to make this trip happen? If you don’t already have the funds in your savings’ account, how much are you willing to put aside each month in order to pay for this trip? Are you aware that almost any vacation can be paid off in installments, almost like a “layaway” plan? You will be able to make payments and pay the balance off by the final due date, which is normally 45 – 60 days prior to departure.
If the destination requires a Passport and/or Visa, you must apply for them prior to your travel dates. Some countries require that your passport is valid for several months prior to your date of entry and for several months after you are scheduled to leave the country. Some countries require that you have a tourist Visa and vaccinations prior to entry. It’s best that you are aware of this information before you plan to go, because you will not be allowed to travel without the required documents and/or vaccinations.
Protect your vacation with an adequate vacation protection plan. Even with the best put together plan, sometimes things happen that you didn’t plan for. Ships will experience mechanical failure, there will be missed or delayed flights, bad weather will result in trip cancellation or interruption, and so many other things may happen that can sabotage a vacation. These things are unpredictable; however, you can protect your vacation package. Vacations are investments, no matter how much you paid, you invested your hard-earned money and valuable time to take this trip that you have been planning for months. There are all types of coverage to protect your vacation such as: cancel for any reason, weather cover, price guarantee, medical expense coverage, trip delay, baggage delay, rental car collision, job loss, and the list goes on and on.
I ask again, are you talking yourself out of that vacation that you’ve been putting off for years? “It is better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.” – Asian Proverb
FEATURED CWM TRAVEL CONTRIBUTOR Meochia Stills is the owner and operator of My Times Travel LLC, where she has excelled in the travel industry as a Cruise & Caribbean Vacation Specialist. Her committed to exceeding her clients’ expectations on land and sea has caught the attention of her family, friends, and peers.
Find ideas on the perfect escape by visiting Meochia at www.mytimestravel.com & www.cruisingwithautism.org;
on Facebook www.facebook.com/mytimestravel & www.facebook.com/cruisingwithautism;
on Twitter www.twitter.com/mytimestravel, www.twitter.com/autismcruises;
as well as on Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/mytimestravel/.
You may contact Meochia at (904) 383-0874 or (800) 659-8443, or email info@mytimestravel.com.
