ASK AN AGENT
Good deals still out there, especially in less-traveled countries

By Ruth Rittmeister
HNL Travel Associates

Ruth Rittmeister has been a travel agent for more than 30 years, and for many years owned A Touch of Class Travel.

She says she specializes in "the world," since she's been almost everywhere over the years. Her favorite job is developing tailor-made itineraries; she likes to spend time with clients and learn about them so she can choose accommodations and activities that fit their style and preferences. "I'm not fascinated by booking flights," she says, wryly.

Q. What are current travel trends?

A. Cruises rather than overland tours, especially in Europe, South Africa and China. The point is to avoid airports and having to pack and unpack. Also, with the dollar quite weak, the more they pay in advance in dollars, the better deal they get.

Q. Where are the bargains?

A. There are still quite a few bargains in South America and Mexico; and in Asia, in the less- traveled countries, like Vietnam, which is a lovely place, and Laos. In Europe, there are still bargains in Romania and Estonia, wonderful places and not so much known yet.

Q. What is the place of the travel agent in the world of Internet booking?

A. Many of the younger generation are so computer-minded, they will never use a travel agent. But I believe there will always be a niche for a knowledgeable agent, especially in the leisure market. The more affluent people and the older generation realize the advantage of having someone else take care of everything and guarantee that they get what they paid for. The travel agent is ultimately responsible if things go wrong or if they promise what they can't deliver.

Q. How do you become a knowledgeable travel agent?

A. The best way to learn is to travel, and that is becoming increasingly difficult for younger travel agents. (Junkets and discount travel are less available, she explained; today's travel agent trips tend to be shorter and less meaningful, or agents have to book and pay just as you and I would — expensive even if you can write it off.) When you have traveled enough, you know things down to small details, like where the best rooms are in a particular resort. It takes a long time to become a really knowledgeable agent. It's a totally different world, and I'm so grateful I've had these experiences.

Q. Where do you go next?

A. Las Vegas, for a meeting of the Virtuoso Consortium, a travel-agent group that gathers together properties we really want to book. Then Stockholm for a couple of days. (She's Swedish). Then I am cruising off Scandinavia, Estonia and St. Petersburg, and a week from France south to Lisbon.