Am I A Travel Agent?

I used to work for a tour operator. That was cool. But during my tenure at that European company, I always took offense when those unable to separate (or learn to separate) the term "travel agent" and "tour operator" called me a travel agent. Or referred to me as working in a travel agency.

Not that there is anything wrong with either of those things. When I was about 8, I would walk past a certain travel agency in Oak Park and think to be a travel agent would be glamorous and cool. And in those days, that was pretty much true. That's when being a flight attendant was called being a stewardess and the lifestyle was considered quite glam as well.

But I digress... I was NOT a travel agent and to be called one would irk me. Because travel agent's bought from us. We were the ones that created and/or bought and/or negotiated the products. And it was a great experience for booking my own travel, for now I am really in the know.

Which leads me to my real point. I am NOT a travel agent. I don't even pretend to be one on occasion. But I do know my products and I'm pretty darn good with geography (especially of the European variety). So, I am currently in the midst of planning my trip to southern France. One of my fellow travelers is in the thick of the planning as well, offering suggestions and what-not. I feel a little bad steering him in different directions. It's hard to explain why it would suck to go to Marseille when you've never worked with people from France and had co-workers who were from France and are aware of the products out there (or not so much).

It also sucks that I care this much. Because I am NOT a travel agent. So why am I working my butt off planning this? There's service fee for me at the end of all of this. Why have I wasted countless evenings researching hotels? Why have I priced out planes, trains, and automobiles, carefully tracking not only expenses but time and quality of vacation time?

The answer is because I came from a tour operator. And the lines between tour operator and travel agent must be blurry for most people. And apparently, I am able to work miracles at high turnaround rates. And oddly enough? I have.

But I am still NOT a travel agent. I couldn't be one. I couldn't handle the bitchy clients (like me) and stress levels. Kudos to all of them out there. Be friends with your suppliers and life will be easier. Just a little bit.

As for my trip to southern France, I booked a divine little hotel in Cannes tonight. We book flights tomorrow along with the car rental, and the only thing I need to worry about then is a hotel in Paris right before and right after southern France. That will be the hat trick of the year. Finding a cheap hotel in Paris (HA!)...During Fashion Week.

I will likely go semi-insane soon.