TRAVEL
Dive Travel Planning Checklist for Groups – by David Prichard and Lily Mak, Enchanted Sea Images, Inc., Dallas, TX
Where do you want to travel to (is this a new location ▪ or return trip)? When do you want to go (best time for seasonal sight- ▪ ings of desired marine life, best weather, calm seas, etc.)? How many people are going (some resorts or live- ▪ aboards have restricted accommodation availability)? How long do you want to stay (single destination or ▪ multiple locations)? What is the budget (trip price per person) of the trip? ▪ Other considerations of the trip, she said, include how many in your group will be divers versus non-divers (non- divers may need options for activities, such as beaches, wa- tercraft, swimming pools, local tours and shopping, etc.) and whether your dive group wants to be all on the same boat or if they mind splitting up into smaller boats. Are you look- ing for an all-inclusive (with/without alcohol) meal plan, or one with just meals, breakfast only, or no meals? Another detail to supply your travel agent is the diver profile of your
It’s time to plan that big dive trip your clients want within the next couple of years, but how do you or- ganize it and what should the trip include? Back in the May issue of this mag-
azine, we explained why dive destinations want specific in- formation about your group Why All These Forms? The Operational Logistics of a Dive Resort , but this article will reverse the table and raise all of the questions that “you” should be asking both your travel agent and the destination operator when organizing a dive trip. Successful dive trips are organized with the assistance of a travel agent that specializes in scuba travel to help you craft your itinerary and logistics. Therefore, your first questions should be about the qualifications of the travel agent and if they are best to advise you on a trip where your reputation and thousands of dollars of your clients’ money will be spent.
group. Do they prefer easy reef dives, or are they more adventurous and don’t mind heavier currents, deeper depths, or overhead environments? What type of marine life are they in- terested in; for example, big animal en- counters or macro subjects. As the trip organizer, what options do I have to pay for the trip? Can I issue a check to a local agency office,
After checking on their credentials (member of recognized travel asso- ciation, insured, bonded, etc.), the first question when discussing a par- ticular location is, “Have you per- sonally been there yourself?” It is best if your travel advisor has expe- rienced the location and knows the “ins and outs” of the place or at least has a close colleague in the of-
or do I need to make a bank transfer, use a credit card (trans- action fee?), or some other digital payment? Is a deposit re- quired and when is the final payment due? What is your cancellation policy and are there any charges involved? Do you offer travel insurance, or do we have to shop for that separately? Checklist Questions to Ask: Once you have the above desired trip profile put together, you can then start asking questions to both your travel agent and dive destination to fine tune your trip details. Discussions can include whether you should travel during peak season and pay a higher price, or “roll the dice” during the off-season (potential weather issues) to get a lower trip cost. If prices drop after the trip is booked, does the agency price match the new rates for you?
fice that can supply that information. This is more insightful than someone who just read the marketing materials to pro- vide the guidance required to organize the trip. An important key qualification consideration is asking if the travel agency has 24/7/365 emergency assistance to help you when unforeseen travel issues occur and how you con- tact them. If they don’t, then it will fall on you, the trip leader, to solve any problems that arise. The First Step: Before engaging a travel agent, you must first review and note your past conversations with your clients as to what destination they have expressed interest in and what they want to do during this dive vacation. Accord- ing to April Fung of Caradonna Adventures, the initial dis- cussion with a trip organizer involves the basics of:
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