|
|
Veronica Liadis, CTC
Prior to being appointed President in 1991, Veronica served as manager of Liadis Travel since 1981. She has extensive experience in corporate and leisure travel, meeting planning, and incentive travel. Veronica's education include a B.S. from the University of Delaware in 1981 and she achieved the designation of Certified Travel Counselor from the Institute of Certified Travel Agents in 1986. Veronica served 4 years as President of the Delaware Valley chapter of the American Society of Travel Agents, the largest industry organization, as well as serving on several of ASTA's National Committees. ASTA has designated Veronica as a spokesperson and as a result she has been interviewed on CNN and other news programs and newspapers as a travel expert and consumer advocate. She has been named a Destination Specialist for Greece by Conde Nast Magazine for the past three years.
Ronnie@liadis.com
Lynn Billetta, CTC
Lynn has been with Liadis Travel, Ltd. since 1991. She came to Liadis from one of New England's largest agencies. Her career in travel began in 1988 and she has specialized in corporate travel since 1989. With her degree in Travel and Tourism from Harcum College and many years experience in handling corporate and group travel, Lynn is well qualified and committed to high-level service. She has been a member of the International Society of Meeting Planners since 1993 and has planned many successful board, sales, and training meetings. Lynn is also a British Tourist Authority Destination Specialist.
Lynn@liadis.com
Josephine Delli Compagni
Josephine began her travel career in 1973 and has been with Liadis Travel since 1988. She received her CTC (Certified Travel Counselor) designation in 1991 and keeps up-to-date on destinations and products by taking many of the cruise, destination, and tour specialist courses offered. Jo is a Touring Specialist from Globus & Cosmos, a major tour operator in all seven continents, a Disney Specialist with the Disney College of Knowledge, a Sandals and Beaches Specialist, and an Aruba Specialist, to name a few. She received her Associates degree in Business Management from Delaware County Community College in 2003.
Jo has planned hundreds of wonderful trips for her many clients. She is detail oriented which helps to ensure a perfect vacation.
Josephine@liadis.com
Vicki O'Connell, CTC
After graduating from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Vicki worked in the data processing field for many years before changing careers in 1989. Since then, she has managed several agencies and is currently manager and travel consultant at Liadis Travel. She is also responsible for the Liadis Travel web site and www.greeceexperts.com, Liadis' web site highlighting travel to Greece.
Her specialties are Greece, England, Italy, and Ireland. She earned her CTC in 1993 and has earned specialist designations for several destinations.
Vicki@liadis.com
Betty Morganti
With ten years experience as a travel agent, Betty knows the best places for your next family vacation. If its an adventure to Costa Rica, a beach vacation to Punta Cana or a family tour to Italy, Betty is waiting for your call. She is a graduate of the Walt Disney College of Knowledge and can make the perfect fit between you and a Walt Disney vacation.
Betty@liadis.com
|
|
|
Why Use A Travel Agent?
An Open Letter to Travel Editors from Joseph A. Watters, Founding Chairman, Oceania Cruises (written during his term as President and COO of Crystal Cruises)
Dear Travel Editor,
Why should I use a travel agent? As a veteran travel executive, that's a question I'm often asked. Today, with the overwhelming number of sources for travel information (the Internet, cable television, newspapers, magazines, guidebooks, etc.), it's no wonder the consumer is confused. Yet that's precisely why the services of a professional travel consultant are more valuable than ever.
In January, the television news magazine, 20/20, reported the results of a test in which travel agents beat consumers at uncovering the best airfares. However, it is much more than the "lowest fare" that provides the compelling argument for a good travel agent.
The best thing an agent can do is to match up a traveler with the vacation that's right for them. The professional travel consultant builds relationships with their clients to learn their interests and lifestyles, as well as their dispositions.
Below is a list of some of the important services, which are either provided free or for a nominal charge, by travel agents:
1. Distilling the product information: Through an on-going and time-consuming process of familiarization, continuing education and customer feedback, the agent becomes a travel expert.
2. Investigating and supplying competitive information: No single supplier is going to advise a consumer that a better route or a better fare is available on a competing carrier.
3. Staying abreast of the most current and timely promotions: Via daily faxes, agent-only e-mail transmissions, and their relationships with their district sales managers, agents are obtaining the most current promotional information.
4. Analyzing the current promotions: The cheapest is not always the best.
5. Clarifying the fine print, such as cancellation penalties and restrictions: Again, the benefits of a professional's experience can save a traveler money . . . and headaches.
6. Making recommendations for travel-related options: Travel agents share the experience and knowledge they accumulate about a variety of travel topics – from where to eat, where to shop and what to pack.
7. Simplifying the research and subsequent transaction: Like a personal shopper, agents can provide one-stop shopping for travelers who require air arrangements, rental cars, cruise accommodations and hotel stays – with suggestions that are in the best interest of the client, not the supplier.
8. Enhancing the trip with value-added benefits and amenities: Agents can add to the client's experience by sending a bottle of wine, providing a special land package, a specific escort or other customer amenities.
9. Using their clout to obtain the best possible in seemingly impossible situations: Whether it's airline seats, hotel rooms or cruise space, the travel agent has more buying power than the consumer.
10. Getting problems resolved: The agent serves as the consumer's advocate in the event something inadvertently goes wrong.
The use of outside service providers for many transactions, such as tax preparation, isn't questioned. Similarly, if one is going to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars, as well as a good chunk of valuable leisure time, it makes great sense to use a professional. I hope you'll consider sharing this information in future consumer interest columns.
Sincerely,
JOSEPH A. WATTERS
President
|
|