Travel consultants must sell and plan for people whose needs vary by religion, mobility, experience, and personal style, so the interviewer wants to see that you treat preference gathering as a standard step, not a guess based on appearance or accent.
Name a few general dimensions such as meal restrictions, pacing, and communication directness. Then show how you would ask the same respectful questions to every client and use the answers to customize.
Start by naming two or three genuine dimensions, such as meal timing and dietary restrictions, the pace of the itinerary, and how direct the traveller prefers their information. Then show that your method is identical for every client, regardless of how they look or sound. Say plainly that you never rely on assumptions, because a traveller from Manila and a traveller from London can both be vegetarian, both hate early mornings, or both prefer a detailed itinerary over a loose one. Explain that you confirm by asking the same neutral questions in the same respectful tone, for example, "Do you have any food preferences or restrictions we should plan around?" and "Would you like a relaxed pace or a fuller schedule?" If a client hesitates or gives a vague answer, follow up with a gentle example, such as asking whether they usually eat breakfast early or prefer a late lunch. In the Philippine context, you can mention that you also check practical constraints like flight arrival times and local holidays, and you always confirm in writing before finalizing. Frame it as a collaborative conversation, not an interrogation, and close by saying that your goal is to make the traveller feel heard, not to place them in a category.
A common mistake is assuming, for example, 'Basta foreigner, gusto ng Western food.' Instead, ask neutrally: 'Do you have any food restrictions or times you prefer to eat?' This avoids embarrassing the guest.
Situation
During my OJT, our agency served a mixed group of students and retirees booking a domestic tour, and I noticed the default itinerary did not ask about meal restrictions or prayer breaks.
Task
I needed to collect preferences for all travellers without making anyone feel singled out or relying on guesses based on their background.
Action
I created a short pre-trip checklist asking each traveller to tick meal preferences, mobility needs, preferred language for instructions, and preferred pace. I asked the same questions to everyone, not just those who looked different, and recorded answers in their file.
Result
The tour ran smoothly. One guest said she appreciated being asked about food instead of being told what she could eat. Our senior guests also received larger-font itineraries.
Ask the same neutral questions to everyone so you learn real preferences instead of relying on stereotypes.
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