We’ve all heard the old adage, “it’s not the destination, but the journey that counts.” But for many planners, making travel arrangements can often be a logistical nightmare. That’s why we asked Mike Andrus of Remarkable Journeys to point us in the right direction and give us a few inside tips on best practices for getting your guests successfully from point A to point B.
Q. Briefly tell me about Remarkable Journeys.
A. We’re a full-service travel agency, offering leisure travel, design and management of golf trips, and meeting and incentive travel for corporate groups.
Q. What is trending now in travel?
A. Golf packages have always been popular with corporate groups, and are steering towards the more traditionally popular golf locations in the US. For purely incentive trips from Minnesota, Mexico is the most popular. But because of recent events that have been spotlighted in the press, we’ve noticed some customers navigating away from that destination. Instead, they’re requesting other warm weather destinations like the Caribbean, Costa Rica and other parts of Central America. I still have programs every year in Mexico and have never once had anyone involved in any of their troubles or even seen anything remotely close to what the media has written about down there.
Q. What’s the key to planning a really successful travel experience?
A. First, begin by picking a location that your client wants to use, then make the most of all the resources at that location. For example, we recently coordinated a trip for some clients to Denver. While they were there, we scheduled time for them at the amphitheater in Red Rock. We also planned a program in Banff, CO and arranged to have the guests’ photos taken with the mountains in the background. Doing that sort of thing creates more of an experience for the guests; it engages them with the location. Also, when you plan activities for your guests along the way, especially at the beginning of the trip, you get people excited right from the start. They’ll tend to interact more freely, which encourages camaraderie and makes the entire trip better.
Q. What things should a planner consider when making travel arrangements?
A. Budget is important. It really sets the tone for everything. And, as I mentioned before, having a location in mind is important as well. A planner should also familiarize themselves with the type of weather that occurs at their chosen location. Travel distance is another factor to consider when choosing location. It generally goes hand in hand with the length of the trip. The general rule of thumb is that if we’re planning a shorter trip, we try to keep the travel distance down, and vice versa.
Q. What information should a planner have when approaching a corporate travel agency like Remarkable Journeys?
A. They should know what kind of experience they want for their guests. Again, that relates to budget, so they should have at least some general numbers in mind. We’ll then shape a program around the budget they have, helping them create a good experience – whether urban, beach, mountain or some other -- without exceeding their financial limits.
Q. Is there anything a planner should be cautious about when incorporating travel into a meeting or event?
A. A good planner has to be able to adapt. Every situation is unique and because every city or person they deal with is going to be different, they have to have the flexibility to adapt and take care of problems as they arise.
Q. Any other advice?
A. Be as organized as possible. If you’ve got everything in place, even if adversity strikes, it’s easier to get back on track if you’re organized.
