Why this tour operator is charging a pre-booking deposit

What do you do if your travel company is confronting the perfect storm of being down staff and up on inquiries from travel advisors and consumers – who may or may not be ready to make a booking? One tour operator, eager to reduce the number of window shoppers, has taken a page from the travel advisors’ playbook. We get into it here with Authentic Vacations CEO Simon Russell and tours editor Nicole Edenedo. This episode was recorded May 23 and has been edited for length and clarity. Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Windstar Cruises Related: With more calls and less staff, tour operator turns to pre-booking deposit Ire builds over hold times as suppliers rush to hire and train call staff  Previously on the Folo podcast: How the rush to travel created hurdles for travel agents See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.