About Us
I've enjoyed the travel industry for 34 years, owned my own agency for 5 years in the 80's. I specialize in cruising and group travel. (I've enjoyed 59 cruises, so do know what I'm talking about!! I've been fortunate to travel on Safari in Kenya, visited Israel twice, cruised to Alaska 8 times, crossed the Panama Canal 5 times, visited Hawaii a dozen times, cruised the Mediterranean 5 times, and more!!
The products and services we offer
Recommendations Received (3)
"Barbara is an amazing travel agent. She gets things DONE."
"Great travel agent - one of the best especially with seniors. "
Products & Services
Escape the ordinary with a cruise. Barbara's Travel offers cruise packages and excursions for customers in Santa Rosa and beyond. We'll help you de...
It's never too early to plan the trip of a lifetime. Barbara's Travel is offering bookings and reservations into 2022 and beyond. Give us a call to...
Recommendations Given (11)
"I personally worked with Judith on engaging a radio broadcast spot for our church. She is..."
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"I personally worked with Judith on engaging a radio broadcast spot for our church. She is thorough and does her research. She has authored several children's books,
and has the contacts on how to get them published. She is easy and fair to work with."
"Karen is a thoughtful and thorough real estate agent with good knowledge of the real estate..."
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"Karen is a thoughtful and thorough real estate agent with good knowledge of the real estate market in Sonoma County. "
Recent Activity
I have been active in the travel industry for 35 years. I am booking clients for cruising in summer and fall 2021. Today I learned we may see cruises begin in December 2020!!!!! Much depends on the CDC's confidence and knowledge in what cruise lines have implemented towards the safety of all...
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I have been active in the travel industry for 35 years. I am booking clients for cruising in summer and fall 2021. Today I learned we may see cruises begin in December 2020!!!!! Much depends on the CDC's confidence and knowledge in what cruise lines have implemented towards the safety of all concerned: passengers, their own crews, and the port population they will visit. There is a HUGE pentup demand within the public to "get away"!!
One cruise line's longest 2023 World Cruise of 143 days starting at $75,000 a person is SOLD OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!
But I was saddened when I had occasion to visit a large shopping center of both moderate and upscale stores, all types, including food services, and too many of them have closed for good. We are all trying to stretch our budgets to "shop local", even though it may cost more than Amazon, etc.
I continue to attend educational workshops, keeping up with the travel trends and new destinations, many close to home. My advice would be TO BE READY in your own business for whatever the first wave of opening the World brings to us. Wishing us all Good Health and Healthy Business.
Mine is specific to travel only, but maybe could be changed or tweaked to fit another type of business. People usually believe what they SEE - visual experiences touch the senses. My vendors and my own travel consortium have produced dozens, if not hundreds of Virtual movies of destinations...
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Mine is specific to travel only, but maybe could be changed or tweaked to fit another type of business. People usually believe what they SEE - visual experiences touch the senses. My vendors and my own travel consortium have produced dozens, if not hundreds of Virtual movies of destinations that are gorgeous and easy to forward on to clients. All the work has been done for me !! It's one of my next projects to send out to all my clients, old and new.
I read some of the advice already offered, and it is ALL wise!! This is a multi-faceted question!! a. Don't get into a travel-related industry at this time, as I am and have been for 35 years!! That being said, hotels and BandB's in America will get more business from Americans who are brave...
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I read some of the advice already offered, and it is ALL wise!! This is a multi-faceted question!! a. Don't get into a travel-related industry at this time, as I am and have been for 35 years!! That being said, hotels and BandB's in America will get more business from Americans who are brave enough to travel. b. Don't start on a "shoestring" - have some cash reserves. You may not make a profit in the first 6 to 12 months. c. Know your market/know your competitor. Sometimes combining 2 or 3 small businesses similar in nature could survive when sharing staff, knowledge, office space, etc. d. If you must advertise, choose your market carefully. I could go on, but it would be lengthy. I wish you all good luck!!
There will be little to no International Travel by Americans in 2020. Some are traveling to "open" countries like Mexico, Tahiti, Croatia, some Caribbean Islands. Since most of my clientele are seniors or with small children, they fear leaving for a distant vacation. I, personally, would be ...
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There will be little to no International Travel by Americans in 2020. Some are traveling to "open" countries like Mexico, Tahiti, Croatia, some Caribbean Islands. Since most of my clientele are seniors or with small children, they fear leaving for a distant vacation. I, personally, would be on the first cruise ship able to deploy!! THEY are "ready for us" !! I am making reservations for 2021 and 2022.
I won't be doing anything different, as I am always prepared--that is just a good business practice. During these past 4 months of "vacation", I have attended more webinars than I care to admit (some 4 or 5 a DAY). I've
brushed up on North American destinations that have been favored by all...
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I won't be doing anything different, as I am always prepared--that is just a good business practice. During these past 4 months of "vacation", I have attended more webinars than I care to admit (some 4 or 5 a DAY). I've
brushed up on North American destinations that have been favored by all travelers in the past. I read ALL emails about hotels, foreign countries about to open to other countries for travel and what health protocols are expected from the traveler and what the traveler can expect. Travelers should allow 2 MONTHS to have their passports processed - so plan ahead.
I'm still helping with refunds for cancelled cruises - it is taking much to much time. I'm contacting clients who will travel in 2021 to select a trip or cruise NOW to take advantage of the best discounts and many added
amenities. I just heard about a small ship set to cruise in Alaska the month
of August and have clients eager to get that information. Hope it sails!!
And wish everyone good luck in getting their business up and going, and hopefully successfully.
I have not yet received my Stimulus check.
I was to hear this week from SBA (I have an application number) nor have
I heard from EIDL (I believe the funds ran out last week !!) Altho I must
eventually repay all delayed credit cards, car insurance, car payments, etc.
I did get from 2 months...
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I have not yet received my Stimulus check.
I was to hear this week from SBA (I have an application number) nor have
I heard from EIDL (I believe the funds ran out last week !!) Altho I must
eventually repay all delayed credit cards, car insurance, car payments, etc.
I did get from 2 months to 6 months grace period. I'm charting all that so I
know how to budget (if I have any funds with which to budget.) I am waiting to hear from my landlord (I rent and work from home) to see what their
plans are due to the virus affecting nearly every facet of life style. I think we all need to be wary of any future plans by Government and others so that we are not beholden to them for the rest of our lives (i.e. a Dictatorship). I
value my freedom.
As a travel consultant, all I have to offer is SERVICE with integrity. Since there is no product to look at and experience, my service and expertise must shine through. Referrals are the lifeblood of most, if not all, types of businesses. When you LOVE and KNOW and have EXPERIENCED what you...
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As a travel consultant, all I have to offer is SERVICE with integrity. Since there is no product to look at and experience, my service and expertise must shine through. Referrals are the lifeblood of most, if not all, types of businesses. When you LOVE and KNOW and have EXPERIENCED what you are selling (or can offer client experiences, like success or good health)
you will exude confidence to the recipient of your product or service. In
some families I am assisting 3 generations!!!!! I pay a small fee to advertise in a monthly Senior emailed newsletter published by a Senior Club with whom I've been a member for about 30 years. That advertising fee also supports the much needed funds for the club. I also regularly attend the few social clubs I belong to and support them, as well as serve on committees or serve as an officer. You get to be known. And depending on your business and circumstance, you ask for their business. EXAMPLE: shortly after becoming a travel consultant, a big social and dance club we belonged to announced their annual cruise to Alaska. The next day I contacted the club's president and asked to be considered the travel consultant of choice, and explained why. I started out my new status as a travel consultant with 87 people on a Alaska Cruise!! Good luck to you!!
I'll attend Thursday, Feb. 20 at 11:00am PST.
Please send attendance hookup info.
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I'll attend Thursday, Feb. 20 at 11:00am PST.
Please send attendance hookup info.
My answer is to contact a travel consultant, like myself, who has
experienced international travel, is up to date on new regulations
and/or restrictions, and whose clients have traveled internationally.
Time is money. I, personally, do not offer a lifetime of experience
and knowledge for...
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My answer is to contact a travel consultant, like myself, who has
experienced international travel, is up to date on new regulations
and/or restrictions, and whose clients have traveled internationally.
Time is money. I, personally, do not offer a lifetime of experience
and knowledge for free. Planning travel can be fun. That's why I love my work, and I'm good at it. Many travel consultants have access to discounts not available to the general public. With a "real" person to plan your trip, you have a "real" person to assist you or whom you can contact if problems arise. Did you know that the Shengren countries, and others, REQUIRE all tourists entering their countries to be covered with travel insurance? Which you should all invest in anyway.
Being a one-man/woman business is both tough and rewarding. You generally have no backup for illness or vacation. As an Independent Contractor for a small travel agency, when necessary, we exchange taking care of each other's clients when "out of the office". Most times our clients prefer to...
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Being a one-man/woman business is both tough and rewarding. You generally have no backup for illness or vacation. As an Independent Contractor for a small travel agency, when necessary, we exchange taking care of each other's clients when "out of the office". Most times our clients prefer to work directly with us, so they will wait for our return. I start notifying clients 2 to 3 months before my vacation time in order to give them AND myself time to plan ahead. It's an excellent means of communication with those clients who have not yet planned a vacation AND serves as notice to all clients you are "out there" experiencing what is happening in the world of travel, especially if it's a destination they are thinking of traveling. On a personal level, we owe it to ourselves to do something nice for ourselves. For me, it's taking a cruise!!!!