5 Travel Tips For Organizing Important Travel Documents
5 Travel Tips For Organizing Important Travel Documents
Article by Marilyn Bohn
Traveling is fun and takes us away from our “normal” lives but it can be frustrating if you don’t have the right documents with you when you need them. Learn what documents you need when you travel and how to quickly organize them by using these 5 proven organizing tips.
I am going to tell you a true story–my friend was vacationing in Costa Rica, a place she found very beautiful and enjoyed very much–up to a point. She had been told the way to keep your passport safe when traveling is to have the hotel put it in their safe. She hadn’t done this before but decided she would do it this time rather than put it in her money belt that fits around her waist.
Ironically the unthinkable happened. In the night the hotel safe was stolen. That’s right–the entire safe. They must have been some pretty strong men. My friend was finally able to make it out of the country and back home but it was a big hassle because she didn’t have her passport.
Traveling can be fun; we can leave our clutter behind and clear our minds. Then again planning a trip can create its own clutter. It is important to have all of the important documents and information you need while you are on your trip. Keeping them organized will save time and frustration.
1. Plan ahead by gathering information you need on hotels, places of interest, restaurants and transportation.
2. Create a packing list and keep this on your computer so each time you travel you can print it and check off each item as you pack. If you find you needed other items for your trip add them to the list when you return home. You may need different lists for different types of trips. Such as skiing, hiking, beach, business, traveling by car or by air etc.
3. Gather all of your important travel information:Photo identification, prescriptions, passports/visas, hostel card, itineraries and airline tickets. Email your itinerary to family and friends who may also need this information.
4. Print any emails or web pages that contain travel details:Contact information, electronic tickets, confirmation numbers for hotels and tours, and schedules.
Now comes the fun part-keep it organized. Create a traveling travel file that holds all your documents. Use a clear plastic folder to slip all your information into. SMEAD has created a travel organizer made of clear plastic that has 3 sections to organize itineraries, maps and travel confirmations. There is also a front pocket for keeping the boarding pass and receipts. The flap secures with a strip of Velcro.
5. Divide your travel file into categories:a. Tickets/airline confirmations and car rental reservations. Quick access to your flight information, tickets and boarding passes reduces a lot of stress at the airport.b. Phone numbers: *Make a list of essential phone numbers in case of emergencies. *Call your credit card company or bank before you leave home notifying them where you will be traveling so they don’t block the use of your card.c. Itinerary: Place your schedule where you can find it quickly and easily as you will refer to it daily.d. Maps and directions: Online directions you have printed or a road map are great resources. Include a highlighter to mark your location and destination.e. Brochures: Include those you think will be helpful as you travel.f. Hotel reservations: Keep all confirmations for your lodging in one location. Organize them in the order you will be using them.g. Receipts: Keep all receipts from the trip. Put them in an envelope so you know where to find them. Use them to compare against your credit card bill or to submit travel expenses for reimbursement or tax purposes.
Keep your travel file handy, in the lid of your luggage under the mesh pocket or in the outside pocket of your suitcase are ideal places.
Now your travel documents are all organized it is just one less thing for you to stress about on your trip. This will help you get rid of clutter when you travel as you will only be taking the essentials.
About the Author
Marilyn Bohn is the owner of Get it Together Organizing, a business dedicated to developing practical organizing solutions that help individuals and business professionals live clutter-free and productive lives. She is the author of
Why Travel Agents are Important in Your Travel Plans
Why Travel Agents are Important in Your Travel Plans
A travel agent engages in purchase and sales of tour and related services of travel. Travel agents can be employees or they can do business independently. In the tourism industry if travel is considered as the leg for the industry, then the travel agents are the very important backbone of the whole system.
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Even though the Internet has created revolutionary changes in the tourism industry, travel agency cannot be replaced. You are using the Internet as a travel agent for arranging your travel services. Websites of travel agents and travel suppliers are providing you their services depending totally on your needs.
As the travel industry is very competitive, being a travel agent is not an easy one. Travel agencies are under constant pressure like facing stiff competition among them and also with online portals and they have to survive with lower profit margin. There are travel agencies specializing on packages like honeymoon, health, water sports etc.
In the past, the travel suppliers used to sell their packages to the public through travel agencies. Nowadays, the usage of Internet for travel service by travel consumers has been increasing and so all the travel suppliers are opting for online travel agencies. The Travel Industry Trade Associations are linked with many Travel suppliers, Travel Wholesalers and Consolidators, though the travel suppliers have web sites on their own. The Outside Sales Support Network supports travel agents like home based Independent contractors and outside sales agents with 100,000 members in it.
Being a travel consumer you can access the catalog e-vacation that includes reading of needed information and watching online videos of the destination you want to travel without any verbal communication with the travel agent. Some travel agents offer packages or services with mark up price and there are others who offer the product for the same price charged by the supplier and there is always a debate of these travel deals offered.
The United States State Department encourages group travel of US citizens while traveling abroad. The travel agencies understand this silent push and they offer services that are affordable to everyone at unbelievable price. Being a holidaymaker, there are stories revolving around them for bad services and rip-off stories. You must be wondering how to find a creditable agent for your travel services. Here are some ways by which you can find many travel agents who offer good travel services for you.
First, be clear with your travel objectives and look for travel agents offering all types of packages and travel services. Flexibility in the price offered for your travel service will make you feel comfortable with the travel agent and so a good agent must be ready for negotiation of prices with a customer. Get recommendation from other customers who have used the travel agency for their needs and always feed back is very powerful. Your network of contact will help you a lot and will give an idea of the travel agents’ competency.
Always choose agencies that wish to sustain good relationship with customers. These agents will give you the utmost benefits on the services provided by them because of expecting repeat business and for having long-term association with you. If you have found an agent who keeps his word and has offered you his best services, then you stick to him for all your travel needs.
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