The Joy of Booking Travel

I did it this week! I booked my first business travel in over a year!

It was a bittersweet experience because, as I searched for the business travel form that we use here at Trisept Solutions, I was reminded of the six events that I was anxiously anticipating, that I suddenly needed to work to cancel, over a year ago. I can honestly remember thinking that it was so sad, but I know that I had no idea how impactful those cancellations and the many that followed were.

Reflecting to mid-March 2020, the “so sad” that I felt was nothing compared of what was to come. I was confident that this would be a bump in the road and I will honestly admit that, while I followed the so-called rules (because yes, I am the ultimate rule follower much to my family’s chagrin), I did not realize the magnitude that this pandemic would take. I certainly didn’t anticipate a several month furlough. I didn’t expect the devastating job loss that so many industry colleagues, both that I knew and didn’t know, faced. Through that wilderness time that we all journeyed through in one way or another, it was sometimes very hard to see the spark of light at the end of the tunnel, hold onto hope and remember the silver lining that this would all return. But all of those signs were there, and we are so much closer to our goal of traveling again.

My first couple of in-person events are taking place in June and I cannot tell you how very excited I am to see another face other than my husband’s in person! No disrespect to my husband, but there are many faces I have missed seeing in person. I’m not a Zoom or Teams hater by any means. I do believe there is a valid and valuable place for them in our business and even personal life and I deeply appreciate the virtual events that I have participated in to keep us connected, but I am so excited for real human contact.

So that is all. I booked my first travel and a lot of things went through my mind as I did it. I will also tell you that I may have been a bit verklempt when I submitted it and was able to see my travel confirmed in my inbox! Slight warning for those you that encounter me at those first events: Be. Prepared.

How has booking travel impacted you??

About the Author

Beth Kitzman is the business development manager for Trisept Solutions' Agency Channel for VAX VacationAccess. Beth focuses on nurturing business relationships and finding exciting, unique ways for VAX to support travel agencies. With over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, beginning with Walt Disney World then working for airlines and now focusing on travel technology, Beth loves using her education degree to find ways to educate and empower travel agents to grow their leisure travel business.