"To Book or Not To Book" - On the Internet that is.

This is always an interesting topic around my office. My thoughts and feelings on this are not always welcome or agreed with, but I guess that is one of the benefits of being the boss! :)

I am a big believer in the power of the internet, for providing information, access to research, opinions, reviews and so much more! The internet also allows for simple, low cost transaction-based business, as well as for all of us to deliver information to each other through e-mail.

It started to become clear to me when I was finding myself booking my own airfare at www.Southwest.com and hotels room at www.Priceline.com. I was not the most popular person around my office! At that time these companies, as well as Expedia, Travelocity and the others were considered "Public Enemy #1" and a threat to our livelihood. What I saw was a much easier way to book an airline ticket and a hotel room that the antiquated technology and systems that we in the travel industry had at the time.

What I started to see was that we were not very valuable to our clients as "Button Pushers" as anyone could do that now, but we had incredible value to our clients through our experiences, through our professionalism, through our knowledge of destinations, and through the business relationships we have developed with travel suppliers over many, many years of business. What I was hearing throughout the industry was advice not to book on the internet, using scare tactics, false information and horror stories. I was determined to work with our agents to become the experts we are today in using the internet to help our clients, not to fight against something that was inherently better for our clients. I mean get real - I was using the internet to book flights - how could we tell clients not to do the same!

The internet has been proven out to be the best place to buy a book, buy or download a song, buy an airplane ticket and other simple, commodity type items. We made a choice to start focusing on peoples vacations, on their time together with family and friends, on specialty trips like cooking, or fitness trips where we can use our skills and experience to assure all of our clients a great vacation, everytime. That you cannot get on the internet.

So in closing, I say Yes - book your airline ticket, get that book for the cruise, and even download a song for your Ipod on the internet - but for your vacation, business incentive program, fundraising cruise - I say call a professional Travel Agent that can help you take care of all the details - and if they are good, I guarantee they are doing much of the research on the internet too!

Thanks, and happy surfing! Please feel free to let us know some of your favorite travel websites - and check out www.TheCruisePlace.com - and let us know what you think!

Scott