(185) Site Inspections Out of Country? Why Are Bookings More Expensive with my HA?

In episode 185 Steph cohosts with Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels. Don’t miss this great episode chock full of helpful wisdom, covering the questions you will find below: 00:00 Welcome to the Friday 15 with Steph and Jennifer! 02:00 Site Inspections Out of Country? 08:05 Why Are Bookings More Expensive with my HA? 1. What is the best way to contact a resort to do a site inspection (email, phone call), especially if the resort is out of the country? Thanks, Jenn B. 2. After organizing group tours as a volunteer for my club, I am now transitioning to become a professional. I love your podcast and website - thank you. I'll be doing the 7-day series soon. I do group tours that are customized for a special interest. Numerous times, I have tried to book a block of rooms with a hotel and the pricing they quote is more expensive than what I can get from Booking.com or Agoda.com. In the most recent example, it was 133 room nights and the savings by leaving the rooms on Booking.com was over $15,000. Additionally, the in-house contract usually requires up front deposits and has much worse cancellation policies. I really want to help the hotels, but I can't wrap my head around why I should book direct when it costs more and has worse cancellation. Thoughts? Larry P. RESOURCES: The Definitive Site Inspection Checklist (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/definitive-site-inspection-checklist) Make the Most of a Cruise Ship Inspection (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-travel-agents-can-make-the-most-of-a-cruise-ship-inspection) Travel Agent FAM Trips: What They Are + How to Find Them + Etiquette (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-fam-trip) Options for booking air without the GDS system. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds) Using a Travel Agent vs. Booking Online: An Infographic (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-vs-booking-online) How Much Do Travel Agents Make per Booking? (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-much-do-travel-agents-make-per-booking) 10 Insider Group Booking Tips from Travel Advisors [+Infographic] (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/group-booking-tips-travel-advisors-agents) Here’s What Suppliers Want You to Know About Booking Groups (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/supplier-want-you-know-booking-groups) Dugan's Travels LLC | Host Agency Reviews (https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/dugans-travels) https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!)