From the client´s side

Professionals tend to create a marvellous scene when it comes to promote their business, hotel, spa or agency. This is obviously normal, each company is the best for the owner and the people working there, so sometimes the client finds an array and diversity of products and services that claim themselves to be the best in their sector. What to choose? which hotel to go?

Well, let´s face it from the client´s point of view, since we all become clients when we travel, too. Sometimes we choose a hotel because we know somebody that works there or recommended it for some reason. Or maybe we select an event agency planner because the image it gives is quite professional. But most of the time we rely on little details that make the difference, and this is the key, to be different. In which way? that´s the secret. Excellent customer service, great image, good facilities or location, attentive staff? it´s a mixture of it all, but what´s true is the fact that clients are more and more especial and demanding, which obliges the travel agent, the hotel or the meeting planner to be updated, ready to answer all questions and available. Finding people with such qualities is hard, but once you have it, clients see it very quickly. it´s all about customer service again, but in a world with so much competence, wouldn´t you want to reach higher than the rest? for me, small details count, and that´s what makes the difference.

Working with people

We are people, work and live surrounded by others like us, and need to be in mutual balance and coordination as much as possible. In tourism, you work with people, and for people. The concept of service does not mean the fact that you become some kind of slave for another person that is paying you for certain services, it is a question of respect between both parts.

In hotels, every guest is different, and the staff should always treat everyone the same, because each person is supposed to receive an equal treatment. Offering vip treatment, special amenities, etc. to someone who pays more is normal, but we must remember that maybe the guest staying at that reduced priced single room can bring you more business in the future.

When it comes to offering personal service, like I do at Different Spain, it´s a mistery to know how your guest is gonna react, feel or behave. He/she may not like you from the beginning, or you may feel that it´s a difficult client, but approaching the person in a polite way, introducing yourself and being nice at all times assures that half of the work is almost done. Even if the person is a very important CEO, or a VIP, or a celebrity, I always treat them the same, nicely and kind, and never acting as if I was honoured to have them as guests or feeling lucky that they came to me, something that I may think or not for myself, but this type of clients are normally used to have a lot of persons around them , at their service or trying to get something out of them. Maybe all they want is to feel like just another citizen in town, without big useless luxuries and people asking if they need something.

The best luxurious service you can give is to make them feel relaxed and happy, they already have a stressed life sometimes so all they search is for tranquility and calm atmosphere in their free time. I once had an important businessman coming to Seville, I took him for a nice stroll by the river at sunset and I showed him a couple of local tapas bars in Seville. He said he missed these small pleasures of daily life and that he was happy to be able to enjoy such walk with a disconnected mobile phone and mixing with the locals. Sometimes life is so easy that we just insist on making it difficult...

The Different Spain project

 Together with music, travel is my favorite hobby. It implies money and time, so sometimes I cannot have both, but I always try to escape from the daily routines when possible.

I discovered my passion for travel when I realized I could hardly sleep the night before taking a plane or starting a trip. Those tickles in my stomach...

Then, I also noticed a great interest for hotels, in which I have always felt like at home. We all love to visit luxury hotels, and once you´ve been to a few, your level of exigence does not go any lower, believe me. But there are many other 4 star, country hotels, charming little properties not considered as luxury ones that deserve attention and that have something we sometimes don´t find in others. But I will talk about hotels in other posts.

All these attractions, combined with a sense of service, help-orientated to every guest, visitor and tourist, made me think that yes, the world of tourism was my natural element. This is why, after some years working in airlines, hotels and other industries related to tourism, I decided to be my own boss and do things my way. I may be lucky or not, specially in such a sector with so much competence, but I believe in what I do, and have a little secret: I love this job, helping people and offering advice and assistance. If you can make people feel that you are passionate about it, and that your best reward is their satisfaction, the rest comes easily.

It´s all about people. Treat them well and you will get the same back. Easy.