Today’s travellers have a broader array of ways to organise their holidays than ever, from DIY online booking sites to third parties offering package holidays and the option of combining hotels, flights, car hire and transfers in one place.
Unfortunately, this also means that, due to a surge in scams, overbooked flights and non-existent hotel reservations, more dream holidays end up being anything but.
The Baltic Travel Company, an independent specialist in customisable packages to locations throughout the Nordic, Scandinavian, Baltic, Balkans and Eastern European regions, has put this guide together to offer advice – ensuring you pick a credible, knowledgeable travel expert to avoid a holiday nightmare.
Understanding the Rise in Holiday Scams
As a small, dedicated team of international travel professionals, we have spent 20 years organising once-in-a-lifetime trips, romantic honeymoons, incredible active family holidays and unforgettable trips to some of the wild, remote and stunning landscapes far off the beaten track.
One of the problems that has accompanied the growth in the industry and the accessibility of global travel is that we often hear from clients who have had experiences that fail to meet their expectations or left them cautious of trusting a third-party booking site or tour operator again.
Importantly, the prevalence of scam sites and those purporting to represent resorts or destinations by acting as a go-between—when they are not—is becoming better known.
We’ve seen more and more guests making conscious decisions about their selected travel provider, using real-world, verified reviews and testimonials to check the quality and reliability of a company before parting with their money.
Recent statistics show that 87% of consumers now look online for reviews before buying a product or service, acknowledging that feedback from authentic clients is key—rather than depending on marketing or attractive pricing to designate a quality service.
Focusing on Client Satisfaction and Feedback Through Independent Travel Reviews
Our advice is always to ensure that any travel provider, agent, or tour operator you might decide to book with has a proven history of delivering on customers' expectations and that reviews are readily available through an independent site.
While publishing testimonials on company websites is the norm, it's also essential to be able to verify the genuineness of those reviews to ensure actual customers have written them.
Here at the Baltic Travel Company, we are extremely proud of our reputation and ensure every guest has the best possible experience we can provide. We refer travellers to Reviews.io, which checks the identity of each customer before publishing their comments, with:
- A five-star quality mark with published reviews from 670 guests.
- A 100% rating for prompt responses.
- A five-star rating for customer service.
- A 100% score based on guests who would recommend us.
These reviews are a testament to our commitment to fantastic holidays and show that if you have any issues, need to tailor a trip to your budget, or want to ask a question before picking a destination or package, we will be here to help.
It's also well worth taking the time to read individual reviews, especially those related to holidays in your chosen country or location. These provide valuable insights into the excursions, travel options, and accommodations guests recommend.
Recent Five-Star Endorsements of the Baltic Travel Company
The below comments have all been left by verified guests and highlight the types of feedback that may help you organise your forthcoming overseas travel. These and all other reviews are available online to browse at your convenience:
Simone G, September 2024: All arranged as we requested and went like clockwork. We had a fabulous time, and all the guides we had were excellent. I'm recommending this company to everyone and will use them again.
Ted E, September 2024: A good understanding of our holiday and travel requirements, good planning and guides to our tour of the Lofoten and Vesterålen islands, good recommendations, and perfect weather added to our enjoyment of a fabulous holiday. Thank you, Baltic Travel.
Paul W, September 2024: Our Baltic Capitals trip organised by Mark and the team at BTC was excellent. Everything worked seamlessly between the 4 capital cities, from hotels to ferries, coach and taxi transfers. All hotels were of a high standard and in perfect locations. Have no hesitation in recommending Baltic Travel Company and would definitely book with them again.
Tips on Choosing an Independent Travel Expert for Your Next Holiday
Alongside checking that a travel provider is trustworthy and reliable and has confirmed customer reviews and ratings, we'd also suggest you check the accreditations and emergency support services on offer—hopefully, backup that you will never need, but that can be vital in a crisis.
We offer 24-hour emergency contact numbers to all guests travelling to every destination, with the assurance that if something goes wrong, such as a member of your party becoming unwell or missing a travel connection, our team will be there to assist any time of day or night.
You can also research the protections built into travel services, before proceeding with your booking, including:
- ATOL Protection: Travel companies should display a four-digit ATOL membership number that means they have an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence and provide safeguards against financial losses if a tour operator providing any aspect of your travel stops trading.
- ABTOT Membership: This secondary protection, with a similar four-digit membership number, means the travel provider is an approved member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust in the UK and Ireland. It acts as an equivalent insurance against the closure of travel services and applies to travel outside the scope of ATOL.
If you are in any doubt as to the authenticity of a travel provider or tour operator, you can search by the membership number via the ATOL or ABTOT directories.
This, along with reading reviews and independent ratings, will give you the assurance that you won’t become stranded overseas or left seriously out of pocket if all or some of your travel plans are disrupted.
Read more about Baltic Travel Company - Baltic Travel Company Achieves 100% Satisfaction on Customer Review Website Reviews.io
About Baltic Travel Company
We specialise in crafting unique, tailor-made travel experiences that showcase the diverse wonders of Europe and the Baltic region. With over 15 years of experience, our dedicated travel experts are committed to providing exceptional service and unparalleled expertise to ensure your Baltic adventure exceeds your expectations. From cultural city breaks to the inspiring northern lights and breathtaking natural landscapes, our carefully curated itineraries highlight the very best of the Nordic Region, Scandinavia, The Baltic Region, Poland, Slovakia and more. Whether you're a solo traveler, couple, or group, embark on a journey of discovery with Baltic Travel Company – your ultimate travel partner in exploring the hidden gems of the Baltics.
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Source Company: https://www.baltictravelcompany.com/
Published by: Steve OBrien