Accent on Travel to offer free river cruise info session Nov. 12

Local travel executive Annette Stellhorn, president of Accent on Travel, advises travelers to compare vacation offers and travel experiences before putting money on the line. “Unless you are able to take a step back from even the most reputable offer, you may jump on a trip that a website or friend raved about, but end up less than thrilled with your own experience,” she said.

As part of its consumer education program, the agency is offering a complimentary River Cruise Line Comparison Destination Highlight event Wednesday, Nov. 12, in Rehoboth Beach.

Stellhorn said, “The truism that an educated consumer is the most satisfied customer is particularly applicable to the travel experience. Statistically, travelers who return from vacations with the best experience had been perfectly matched to the right style of travel and had chosen features and customized add-ons that enhanced their personal trip experience.”

She said many people today do personal online research, act on recommendations of travel experiences from friends, or use travel points for reservations of hotels, cruises or flights. However, she advised, “These inputs can leave a traveler short in designing a complete vacation experience. Our experienced travel experts help you build on these routine basics by discussing meaningful add-ons, bringing up important details, and pointing out potential problems, thus designing a more satisfying travel experience for you.”

Stellhorn said, “There are thousands of tour offers and cruise ships out there, many of them vetted and reputable operators. However, the reality is that once a traveler’s preferred travel style, expected experience, and budget are determined, the right fit for any traveler typically narrows down to less than a dozen choices.”

Stellhorn says the best travel advisors spend the first part of a consultation focusing on the client’s preferred experience and expectations for the trip, and the “memory value” they want to take from it, not quoting a price of a product they like or the client has heard about. She said, “Unless they are a fully satisfied past passenger, a broad investigation should begin to match them to the right product. Our discussions typically include creature-comfort options for various accommodation alternatives, weather issues, health-related concerns, packing tips, and more. These details, rarely mentioned in online descriptions or vendor promotions, can drastically affect a vacation experience.”

Stellhorn said Accent on Travel is one of the few travel companies across the nation to offer complimentary seminars about destinations and comparison seminars to their clients. The Nov. 12 River Cruise Comparison event in Rehoboth Beach is open to current clients of Accent On Travel as well as local residents who have previously sailed on a river cruise line, such as Viking Cruises, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Tauck River Cruises, and AmaWaterways and now want to learn how other river cruise products compare. For more information and an invitation, contact Accent On Travel at 302-703-6154.