With Thanksgiving behind us, Christmas and the New Year will be here before we know it. Where has the year gone?

For many travel advisors, the holidays are an opportunity to take some well-deserved time off, whether that means being with family and friends, traveling somewhere special, or simply enjoying a little downtime.

But as travel advisors, we’re in the service business, and our clients rely on us. So how do we balance being available for our clients with taking the time we need for ourselves?

The answer is communication and setting expectations.

Here are a few simple ways to prepare for some time away:

•  Let your clients know in advance. Whether through an email, your email signature, and/or social media, give your clients plenty of notice about when you’ll be away and when you’ll return. A simple message goes a long way in managing expectations.
• Set boundaries that work for you. If you prefer to check emails while you’re away, consider setting aside a specific amount of time each day. Just remember to stick to it! As we all know, it’s easy for a quick email check to turn into hours of work.
• Have a backup plan. Consider partnering with a trusted colleague who can assist with urgent matters while you’re away, and offer to do the same for them. Including an emergency contact in your out-of-office message provides reassurance that your clients will be taken care of.

• Give yourself permission to disconnect. You’ve worked hard all year, and taking time to recharge is important. Being a great travel advisor doesn’t mean you have to be available 24/7.

Ultimately, your clients value the relationship they’ve built with you. With a little planning and clear communication, you can step away knowing they’re in good hands.

And who knows? While enjoying their own holiday celebrations, your clients may be dreaming up their next adventure. You could return to a whole new list of travel plans to help bring to life!

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and some well-deserved time to enjoy it!

Ultimately, your clients value the relationship they’ve built with you. With a little planning and clear communication, you can step away knowing they’re in good hands.

And who knows? While enjoying their own holiday celebrations, your clients may be dreaming up their next adventure. You could return to a whole new list of travel plans to help bring to life!

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and some well-deserved time to enjoy it!