In the age of big data, travel agents are sitting on a goldmine of information that can transform marketing strategies. Personalized travel marketing is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. The days of blasting generic travel deals to your entire email list are over. Travelers want experiences tailored to their unique interests and preferences, and using data to deliver personalized marketing can significantly boost customer loyalty and conversions.

So, how can travel advisors use data to their advantage? First, invest in a good CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool. A robust CRM allows you to collect and store data on your clients’ travel history, preferences, and even social media activity. This data can then be segmented to target specific groups—honeymooners, adventure travelers, or luxury seekers, etc. The…

I was reminded again this week of the power of the sincere compliment. The scene this time was a small country restaurant in Richfield Springs, New York. This is a lazy little upstate town situated on Route 20 between Syracuse and Albany. I call it a restaurant but the term coffee dive might do it more poetic justice.  It is a small “joint” that serves breakfast. Got the picture?

There I was with my two guests from Massachusetts, along with my wife, ready to order a couple of eggs and an order of French Toast with a side of sausage. The waitress, who I did not recognize as a regular, approached the table (with a smile I might add) and asked if four cups of coffee…