Here in Canada, we are very lucky that there are so many easy options for our clients (and they love it too!) Package holidays, conveniently priced air-inclusive from a host of cities right across the country. Guided tours and cruise options galore.

But with commissions fixed and some suppliers angling to get your client to deal directly with them, how can you enhance that booking to make it truly special, customized to the client – and build loyalty at the same time?

Simple: think of the booking as pasta and you are adding the sauce – or a combination of wonderful extra ingredients. Items to consider in your ‘recipe’ …

Airport transfers – From the clients’ home to the airport, and the airport to their home at the end of the vacation. Guaranteed to make them feel special from beginning to end.

Transfers in destination – A lot of us sell ITCs (package holidays) – but not all clients are aware that the included transfers may include stops at several hotels both on arrival and departure days. Which can make for a very long day, and not very exciting. Build in private transfers and the clients will love that special personalized sign on arrival and being whisked directly to the hotel. (Your tour operator or the resort’s concierge can recommend transportation companies. If you use the concierge, don’t forget! You’ll have to alert your tour operator that your clients will not be needing their transfers.) Bonus: clients will get to the resort earlier and chances are they can linger a while longer than the other pax on their flights.

Private tours – Pretty much every resort offers optional tours in the destination: a city tour, a snorkelling experience. When you book a custom tour (again, the hotel concierge is your best friend), your clients will not only feel catered to, they can submit special requests (“We’d love to visit the farmers market” “Our daughter would wonders if she can go to the dolphin facility”)

Pre-booked appointments for optional extras in destination – From spa treatments on a cruise to yoga sessions in the resort, when you find out your clients’ passions and interests you can build them into their trip hassle-free.

Pre- and post- tours – Perfect for cruise passengers (as you know, you never want to book a flight to arrive the day of the cruise departure … just in case). So don’t just book flights, but build in a city stay and give the clients two (or three) vacations in one. And again, private transfers and custom tours will allow you to create an individualized itinerary with more memories for your client – and markup revenue opportunities for you. The same applies to guided tours, rail tours etc.

Think outside the box – Even a ‘straightforward’ sun holiday can be enhanced with a little creativity. Craft two-centre holidays combining, say, Negril plus Montego Bay; Punta Cana with Santo Domingo; Nuevo Vallarta with Puerto Vallarta. Add in private transfers and your clients will think you are a magician!