The employer wants to confirm the candidate knows that a usable itinerary starts from client discovery, not from copying a template, because misquoted prices and wrong dates are a major source of lost sales and complaints.
Structure the answer as a short checklist: who is travelling, when, how much, what they want to experience, and any documents or health needs. Then explain how each item changes the itinerary cost.
Start by walking the interviewer through your discovery sequence in the order you would actually use it. Say plainly that you first confirm who is travelling, including ages and any mobility or health considerations, because a senior citizen or a toddler changes hotel choices, pace, and transport costs. Then move to dates and length of stay, since peak season flights and accommodations in the Philippines can easily double, and a midweek departure often saves a significant amount. Ask about the trip's purpose, whether it is a family reunion, a honeymoon, or a business stopover, because that tells you where to splurge and where to cut. Be honest that you always ask for a target budget range before presenting anything, and frame it as a normal part of your process, not an awkward question. Explain that you use that number to filter options, so you might suggest a three-star property in a good location instead of a five-star resort, or a domestic flight instead of a ferry if time is tight. Mention that you also check passport validity, visa requirements, and any local holidays or events that could affect pricing, then say you present two or three options that stay within the range, each with a clear breakdown of what is included so the client sees exactly where their money goes. Close by noting that you always leave a small buffer for unexpected costs, like baggage fees or a last-minute tour, because that keeps the final bill from surprising them.
A common Filipino mistake is jumping to 'Saan po gusto ninyo?' and then quoting a package without asking the budget or travel dates. It is better to ask 'May target budget po ba kayo for this trip?' before presenting any price.
Situation
In my tourism management practicum, I was assigned to assist a senior consultant who handled several inquiries each day from walk-in clients. Many clients gave only a destination name or a budget figure, but not both.
Task
I had to create a short discovery checklist that the front desk team could use to collect the right facts before quoting any package, so we did not waste time building itineraries that missed the client's needs.
Action
I listed seven items to ask: travel dates, number of travellers and their ages, exact budget per person or per group, preferred destinations or activities, type of accommodation, mobility or dietary needs, and passport or ID validity for local or international trips. I then designed a one-page intake form and tested it during three walk-in consultations. For each client, I used the form to filter destinations and room types within their stated budget before showing package options.
Result
The form reduced rework by helping the team qualify clients faster, and my supervisor kept it as a training tool for new practicum students. My first two quotes using the checklist were approved on the first presentation.
Ask for constraints first, then build the itinerary around the client's non-negotiables and budget.
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