| Passports- New problem for Boomer travel | | | | and cruises. But, one thing stays the same: |
| | | | the need for the personal touch of someone to |
| Hundred of thousands of Boomers will be | | | | insure details are not overlooked.' She has |
| zooming away on long awaited vacations and | | | | been that person over the years, which |
| cruises as they enter retirement age. They're | | | | accounts for the following of numerous, loyal |
| looking for that dreamed-about experience for | | | | customers that have become trusted friends. |
| which they have put aside nickels and dimes | | | | |
| in the cookie jar for years, or, they know | | | | 'How far is the hotel from the airport?' or |
| exactly where that first retirement check | | | | 'Can I use U.S. dollars to tip at the hotel?' |
| will take them. It could be any number of | | | | are not questions that you will easily find |
| destinations, but it's going to be special | | | | on a regular internet booking site, but, |
| because they have waited so long for it to | | | | Diane will attempt to smooth out those bumps |
| happen at last. The one item that remains | | | | toward the final destination. |
| essential is the comforting assurance that | | | | |
| 'someone' cares about their life-long plans | | | | Diane provides her clients with assistance |
| and the 'unforeseeable' doesn't happen to | | | | not often thought about by internet shoppers |
| spoil those dreams they worked so hard for. | | | | using a booking engines, like the travel |
| | | | documents that will be required. Recent |
| While booking cruises and vacations on | | | | proposed changes for passport requirements |
| internet booking sites is acceptable to many | | | | have travelers confused concerning |
| travelers, most want the human touch that | | | | requirements. As of the beginning of October |
| enhances the anticipation and assures the | | | | there were proposed changes that would |
| event happens seamlessly; a truly qualified, | | | | require individuals entering the country by |
| professional travel coordinator with the | | | | air or sea to present a valid passport, and |
| background of experience and dedication to | | | | that includes all U.S. and Canadian citizens. |
| the satisfaction of the customer to put it | | | | The changes could begin as early as January |
| all together, backed up with a network of | | | | 2007, just a few months away and later |
| resources. In a sentence, a 'resume | | | | passport requirements will extend to land |
| description' for Diane Lanahan, recently to | | | | border crossings. The land border crossing |
| leave the typical store-front, brick and | | | | dates have changed from the beginning of 2008 |
| mortar travel agent office to become Travel | | | | originally to the summer of 2009, as of this |
| Store Diane as a home based, independent | | | | writing, which has added to traveler |
| travel associate of Incentive Connection | | | | confusion. |
| Travel, Inc., one of the world's largest host | | | | |
| travel agencies in the evolving industry. | | | | 'I understand it is now taking longer than |
| | | | six weeks to obtain a new passport, so anyone |
| 'The travel business is going through huge | | | | planning travel should begin the application |
| changes', she says, 'with new innovations | | | | process soon, especially if you plan |
| daily that affect how people book vacations | | | | international travel in 2007', Diane advises. |