Destination Specialist, kind of questions

Hi,

Been a while since I last wrote. Well, this time I am going to discuss the importance of asking a client need in tourism. Most people never question clients, they assume it is offensive. Not only asking if the date of travel and which country is enough.

You are sales and destination specialist:
 1.    Ask what interest they have
2.    What meal plan they would like to stay on
3.    Ask the budget they have for their trip

These are not offensive questions, if not you end up sending some standard packages and clearing the email for sake of clearing the email.

Without asking these questions, you quote blindly. Do you find it attractive if some you request sends some quote or they ask what your needs, wants are and how much you have as a budget? When you receive this email it contains things you are interested in and almost with the budget you are seeking now that is attractive.

Please stop finding offense in things that make your job better, and make you more efficient as a destination specialist and a salesperson.

Try asking those questions and you can see how much more attractive you are towards your clients. They would be enthusiastic to reply to your emails, pick your calls and confirm their holiday just with you.

Take simple steps that make you more effective without the spending of a cent.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Are Maldives Resorts disability accessible?

Please note Maldives islands are not designed for clients with reduced mobility but they do accommodate them and any requirement in prior so they will accommodate accordingly.

Nevertheless, they did have cases where people in a wheelchair came to resorts and they were able to arrange things accordingly.

However, these guests had either a person accompanying them or were able to walk a little bit, which made it easier, as especially some spaces like restaurants, bathrooms and getting around and island are mainly sand would be tricky. Some resorts have buggy so it would be easier to move around the island, and some do have wheelchairs on the island too.

Below are some exemptions to the rule:  

LATEST Addition : Amilla Maldives to become world’s first accessibility and inclusion certified resort

https://maldives.net.mv/51409/amilla-maldives-to-become-worlds-first-accessibility-and-inclusion-certified-resort/

Wheel Chair accessible  / YES
Hurawalhi	Villa and Public Areas
Sun Aqua Vilu Reef	Wheel Chair accessible
Paradise Island Resort & Spa	Guests can use wheelchair in the resort except beach area
Shangri -La's Vilingili	One of the beach villas (Two Bedroom Villa) nearest to the main facilities is designed to be wheelchair accessible villa. This villa is equipped with full facilities for guests with limited mobility allowing even wheelchair users unrestricted movement around them. A ramp, an Easy-access doors, fixtures and fittings in the rooms, bathrooms and toilets in a layout and height enabling easy operation and movement.
Coco Collection Resorts	All of their resorts are wheelchair friendly
HIH	Wheel Chair accessible
JA Manafaru	They can provide the ramps to have the access to the restaurants, except of the White Orchid and the Water Villas
Four Seasons Resorts Maldives	They do have Wheel Chair accessibility at both properties. They can arrange a ramp in the Villa as well as arrange Beach Wheel Chair as well.
Baros	Yes possible
St Regis	The Overwater Villas would be more wheelchair friendly than Beach Villas as there is not sandy path/walkway here.
Sun Island Resort	Wheel Chair accessible
Lily Beach	Wheel Chair accessible
Hideaway Beach	Wheel Chair accessible
Sheraton	Wheel Chair accessible
Westin Maldives	Wheelchair Friendly Hotel Villa 147 is equipped for wheelchair movements Public washrooms equipped for wheelchair movements Arrival jetty equipped for wheelchair movements
Angsana Velavaru	Island is wheelchair accessible and friendly. For the villas and outlets, if required they will be installing ramps.
The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi	The resort is wheel chair friendly as do have disabled-friendly villas in the island and they can provide ramp builds with enough slope to slide wheelchair in and out the villa, our I-spas (bathtub) in the villas also have a hand shower. On the other hand, once the booking has been confirmed, they will need more details of their condition so they can prepare in advance the necessary adjustments to make their stay more comfortable. Also note that they have a limited stock of wheelchair in the island so they will need to be informed in advance so we can arrange the wheelchair (beach type).
LUX North Male	There are certain areas that is difficult for wheelchair accessibility, they would require to be informed in advance for us to prepare the ramps & railings but please note that certain areas would still not be wheelchair friendly.

Cheers!

LISWITH

Last Minute Bookings – MALDIVES

The Maldives has been a friendly destination to the markets that are last-minute travelers. Example most Asian and Middle Eastern travelers inquire prior but mostly book last minute.

In the past few months, I have personally had the greatest difficulty getting availability for last minute bookings for the Maldives. This is a great turn of even for resorts in the Maldives having a great turn over in terms of occupancy.

The last-minute markets will have to slowly change their trends and adapt now to the destination. For the next two, three months already availability is a problem and resorts are sold out.

Destination number wise great news!!!!

Markets that book last minute have to be educated by us as the trend of Maldives is evolving especially this year 2019.

Last minute bookings, please push your clients to book prior to secure their bookings.

The Maldives is a bucket list travel goal, overturn to educate our clients and business partners.

These are my thoughts, what about you?

LISWITH