Near and Far Destinations with Troy Knight

Welcome to our travel meetup!

Whether you're interested in domestic travel, international destinations, river and ocean cruises, all-inclusive vacations, road trips, tours, solo travel, multigenerational travel, or setting up a vacation bucket list, this group is for you.

As a travel agent with South East Travel in Vancouver, I am excited to share exclusive offers and travel deals with this community. Some of the types of offers you can expect to see include all-inclusive deals, river cruises, ocean cruises, group tours, and tours/cruises that I will be leading personally.

In addition to sharing exclusive travel deals and offers, I will also be hosting in-person meetups where you can meet me and other travelers, share knowledge and experiences, and plan your next trip together. I will also be hosting free informative online presentations with tourism boards and suppliers, where you can learn more about different destinations and travel options, and ask any questions you may have.

These meetups and presentations will be a great opportunity for you to connect with like-minded travelers and gain valuable insights and tips for planning your next adventure. I look forward to meeting you in person and helping you plan your dream trip!

troy@southeasttravel.net (preferred)
phone 604.328.3706
whatsapp 604.328.2706 when I am travelling

Link to my social media accounts, upcoming trips that i am leading and affiliate links to help pay for meetup

To see all of our available deals, please visit our Facebook page at Near and Far Destinations. We frequently update our page with the latest offers and deals, so be sure to check it out often.
If you see an offer here, on our website, an ad, or your dream trip, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I am here to help you plan your next adventure and make it an unforgettable experience. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have, provide more information on the deals and offers, and help you book your dream trip. So don't wait, let's start planning your next adventure together!

Near and Far Destinations | Facebook
If you are not on Facebook and would like to be added on to a weekly email list , then  email me to be added on to it.

11 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent for Your Next Vacation
North Americans, including many who never worked with a Travel Agent before, are turning to Travel Agents as they anticipate resuming vacation plans. Here are some of the reasons why it makes sense to rely on a Travel Agent during these times.
1. Save Time
We all know time is money, so why waste it researching airlines, cruise ships, hotels, and other travel suppliers when you can lean on an expert who has experienced them first-hand? While you should research which places you want to go (research shows that even the act of planning travel creates happiness) there’s no need to spend your valuable time over the tedious and less interesting details such as hotel reviews and flight options.
2. Avoid Stress
Things that require a significant amount of time and money inevitably tends to create headaches and stress. If recent times have taught us anything it’s that self-care is of prime importance. Working with a Travel Agent who can do the complex parts for you is an easy way to reduce the amount of stress in your life while still being able to get excited about future travel.
3. Rely on an Expert
Few people travel as much as Travel Agents. They are constantly educating themselves on the industry and what’s coming next. While COVID-19-related travel restrictions are constantly changing, it’s your Travel Agent’s job to be up to date and in the know. For many, the thought of planning travel in the time of coronavirus makes them feel lost or overwhelmed but that’s where a Travel Agent can step in and provide expert advice, recommendations and even alternate options when need be.
Would you invest your life savings without an expert? or build a home? Your vacation is just as important for your well-being and you should rely on an expert when it comes to planning and booking.
4. Travel Options are More Complex Than They Used to Be
With the current environment including retiring cruise ships, Covid testing requirements, Vaccine travel passports, Staycations, Pod vacations, never mind the new resorts, and new airline fare categories, keeping up with the options is a full-time job. Having a professional help with the planning and logistics can have a big impact on how much you spend and how much you enjoy your vacation.
5. The Personal Experience
Often the best travel deal isn’t the one that best suits you. By working with a Travel Agent, you’ll make sure that you get the best possible deal for the trip you actually want to take. Unlike a search engine, a Travel Agent will take your personal preferences into consideration before seeking out your ideal getaway.
6. You’ll Support Small Business
Like many other small and family-owned businesses, travel agencies have been massively impacted by the pandemic and they need the support from those same people who they’ve helped over the years. Supporting your local Travel Agent is just another way you can support small businesses and do your part to help jumpstart your local economy.
7. Get special Access
Travel Agents have access that Online Travel Sites and average travelers themselves don’t have. They are much more likely to enhance your trip with some unexpected and authentic moments. It might just be a surprise bottle of champagne upon arrival at your honeymoon resort or a last-minute suite upgrade. There’s no guarantee but working with an agent ensures that you have someone looking out for you behind the scenes.
8. Leverage Their Passion
The role of the Travel Agent might be different than what it was decades ago but this group’s relentless passion for exploration is among the many reasons they remain so vital today and have been able to overcome past crises including 9/11 and the Great Recession. A great Travel Agent can get you excited to see the world and keep you inspired to stay the course in those moments when you aren’t so sure. In the time of COVID-19, a good agent will never pressure you to travel but can help plan your dream trip for the time when you are more comfortable with heading out to explore again.
9. You Get an Instant Network
When you work with a Travel Agent, you not only benefit from their expertise but from their many connections. No travel professional has been everywhere, and it would be impossible for them to know everyone and everything. But they’ve undoubtedly participated in FAM (familiarization) trips where they were able to network with other agents and initiate lasting relationships with key players in the travel and tourism industry. This network is something they lean on when it comes to planning the best vacation for their clients. You are getting so much more than just one Travel Agent when you work with them.
10. A Human Connection that Travels with You
Unlike an online travel engine, your Travel Agent is with you for the duration of your trip. If you run into any problems such as a last-minute flight cancellation you will have a real person to contact for assistance. Even when an unexpected obstacle is outside of their control, a trusted agent will go to bat for you and keep in communication until the situation is resolved. You’re never alone when you have a Travel Agent to lean on.
11. Travel Agents Not Only Save You Money, They Deliver more Value for Your Vacation Dollars
When working with a Travel Agent, the value you receive will be bigger than what you paid. Cruise lines, luxury hotels, and many resorts get the majority of their customers through Travel Agents and they reward the best ones with perks to share with you. Travel Agents consistently get access to the best rooms, upgrades, and special features that are just not available in online databases.

Looking forward to making your dreams and trip happen!!

Thanks
Troy