If it's one thing we know about travel agents, it's that they are always on the go.
Like you, while checking out new hotels and destinations, they depend on their favorite travel products to get them through their trips. Traveling with your favorite product often makes traveling more fun and less stressful.
For some agents, it's all about the electronics.
"This is a 24/7 business and, even when I am traveling, I need to be available to my clients," said Stacey Hartmann, Travel Planner with Enjoy Vacationing in Waunakee, Wisconsin. "I cannot live without my power backup for my devices. I've messaged with clients at 2 a.m. from a river cruise ship on the Danube, from a beach in Mexico and from a ride at Disney."
Margie Lenau agrees.
"From calling transfers and accessing contact information, my schedule with reminders is there, too," said Lenau of Wonderland Family Vacations in Grand Rapids, Michigan. "If I walked out the door and traveled anywhere, I could purchase everything else at the destination. But I cannot live without a working smartphone."
Sandy Nussbaum-Giercyk said she can't live without her outlet power strip, and she keeps it in her carry on.
"I think it will be many years before all the airports and hotels catch up on the need for outlets, especially if you end up traveling with delays," said Nussbaum-Giercyk, owner of Instant Impressions Travel Services. "I have made more friends and been able to charge my devices by having an outlet strip in my suitcase. It is also great in the hotel as often the outlets are not positioned in convenient places."
Sleeping away from the comfort of your own bed can be hard for any traveler and Kimberly Jacoby is no exception. She swears by her sleep mask that she brings on the road with her.
"I have an amazing one made by Bucky that I use every night," said Jacoby of Romantics Travel in Madera, California. "It looks like a bra for your eyes and doesn't touch your eyelashes. Because it blocks out all light and is super comfortable, I experience a better and deeper level of sleep I never thought possible. I try to never leave home without it."
READ MORE: You Ask, Travel Agents Answer
A few agents prefer a lightweight pashmina with them no matter where they are going.
"Apart from being a great accessory-adding a pop of color to your outfits-they are very versatile," said Patty Monahan, founder at Our Whole Village, in Birmingham, Michigan. "You can use them for warmth-whenever you need an extra layer, for covering your shoulders-when visiting sacred sites or being mindful of the local culture, on the beach-as a cover up, or on the plane as a blanket."
Stephanie Serino has used her pashmina in a unique way too.
"My black pashmina goes everywhere with me," said Serino, a Luxury Cruise Specialist with Tzell Travel Group in New York City. "It is a shawl, scarf, travel blanket, head cover for churches, sun shade, pillow or seat cushion, towel, etc. I've even used it as a basket when picking oranges in Valencia, Spain."
Marianne DeIulio said that some people may laugh at her, but her favorite product is her 'blankie.'
"I am always cold on an airplane and love to be cozy under a blanket and reading a book or watching a movie, so I never travel without it," said DeIulio an Independent Travel Consultant with Just Travelin' in Mohegan Lake, New York.
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