People & News

Travel Agent Bewildered By 'fart' Add-on At French Hotel

There's nothing like splurging on a holiday. Whether it be a business class upgrade or some indulgent add-ons to a hotel stay, the fancier elements of travel truly make it a holiday.

But one travel agent has raised her eyebrow at a peculiar addition offered by one hotel.

Jaclyn D'Esposito, a US travel agent who specialises in custom luxury travel planning to Italy and Western Europe, has taken to TikTok after noticing a 4-star French hotel had an interesting inclusion amongst its usual array of extras. Sat alongside the typical offerings of wine, a massage or cocktails was a 'fart'.

Yes, this French establishment had flatulence on the menu.

The travel agent couldn't believe her eyes.

"You know when you go to check out at a hotel and sometimes there's that page that pops up before you put your credit card in and it's like, 'Enhance your stay with these other things' – and it's always like, flowers, champagne, car service, massage, whatever… I truly, I truly thought that I was seeing something," D'Esposito said to the camera.

@heartfelttravel

I couldn't pull the tigger guys I'm sorry 😭 #travelisaprivilege #heartfelttravel #wheretostaysputhoffrance #southoffranceitinerary #southoffrancetravelguide

♬ original sound – Heartfelt Travel 🫶

D'Esposito, perplexed by what came next, then paused on a picture of a dog with the title 'fart' next to it.

"What is fart?" she asked, before noting that it came at no cost.

What's more is that the 'fart' is offered at a daily rate.

"What is happening?" she said before asking followers if she should "book (her) client a fart."

The confused travel agent's video went viral, racking up 1.6 million views in four days and drawing an array of TikTok users speculating what this would all mean.

Some users attempted to explain that 'pet' is the French word for 'fart' – explaining the dog in the photo.

The agent admitted that she had decided not to book the fart for her client but was filled with regret.

She later confirmed that the word 'fart' is French slang for 'pet'.

"To me though, it's still hysterical. Thanks for laughing with me."

Featured Image: Travel agent Jaclyn D'Esposito jokily asked whether she should book a fart for her client @heartfelttravel/TikTok

New EU Entry System Will Create Problems For Travel Industry

From January 2024 travelers from more than 60 countries who currently able to travel through the EU's Schengen travel area without a visa will now need to apply for an EU Travel Information & Authorization System – or 'ETIAS' – travel authorization ahead of travel.

This will include countries whose passport holders are not used to applying for permission to travel to many counties, such as Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore and the United States.

Whilst the requirements are relatively simple and the plans is that approvals should be quick, nonetheless those who don't have the necessary ETIAS approval in place will face not being able to board their flights or rejection at the EU borders.

Industry experts from across the travel spectrum offer some advice on how tour operators can prepare to avoid disappointed customers, rebookings and even requests for refunds as some travelers inevitably get rejected, forget to apply in time or simply didn't even know the changes had come into place.

"Given that this is a new requirement, intermediaries have got to be on top of their game warning their customers or risk a lot of upset travelers and headaches" warns one expert.

"But the good news is that it should be a straightforward and quick process for the customers".

Adding to this, another expert comments that "up-to-date booking technology can help make the whole visa process more seamless, regardless of whether that's existing rules or new ones like the upcoming ETIAS. Equally staff training and clear instructions would be helpful to ensure consistent processes and responses. All around the world anyone booking a holiday via a retail travel agent or tour operator expects guidance on visa and entry requirements. It's a major responsibility and part of the service travel experts provide."

For cases where travelers aren't prepared the knock-on effect for the travel industry will come in the form of cancellations and the inevitable requests for refunds warns finance expert. Whilst of course businesses should do everything possible to avoid this happening in the first place, the expert additionally recommends that "at the very least make sure that your payments platform can seamlessly handle any volatility without costing you both lots of money and valuable time with every refund."

Looking at a potential hidden upside, travel insurers feel that this could be good news for the insurance industry – and those selling travel insurance – as many visa-related processes require proof of insurance. Nonetheless they warn that "such travelers are likely to opt for basic or minimal policies simply to gain their visa, so insurers will have to work harder to sell more relevant and competitively priced policies instead of the inflexible one-sized-fits-all policies that travelers don't understand or like".

Travel industry technology providers point out that visa and entry requirements are not just an issue for travel sellers though, hotels are often expected to provide proof of reservation letters and also guidance on rules for travelers who are arriving by car or boat and therefore don't look to the airline for support or use a travel agent. According to experts "this is a real opportunity to add value to guests and build strong loyalty. We recommend using guest engagement tools that allow you to automate communications prior to their stay."

In addition to this there's even the possibility of building an ancillary revenue either by charging for a visa arrangement service or simply using the interaction to convert sales of other products, for example a transfer or room upgrade.

Journese Partners With Hilton For New Travel Agent Incentive

Journese rolled out a new travel agent incentive, in collaboration with Hilton Hotels & Resorts.

Advisors earn 500 Bonus TRIP Points for every new Hilton booking with Journese across the Conrad, Curio Collection, Hilton, LXR and Waldorf Astoria brands.

It is valid for bookings by July 30, 2023 for travel through July 31, 2024.

In addition, travel agents earn 100 Bonus TRIP Points when registering qualifying bookings the same day they are confirmed.

They earn an additional 1,500 Bonus TRIP Points after registering 10 qualifying bookings.

The top revenue-producing travel advisor will earn a three-night stay at Conrad Punta de Mita in Riviera Nayarit.

Travel advisors must register new bookings by August 15, 2023 to be eligible for the resort stay reward and bonus TRIP points.

Journese TRIP points can be redeemed for personal travel to any Journese destination worldwide.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts offers more than 200 luxe properties across Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

Travelers can enhance their stay with hotel promotions including special rates and daily breakfast, as well as all classes of air service.

"Journese is pleased to partner with one of the world's top hotel and resort brands," said Amy Comparato, Journese Senior Brand Director.

"Our exclusive incentive offers a special thank you to our travel advisor partners."

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