Will Peckham and his father, Bill, work with four other travel agents at the family-owned Round Rock Travel & Cruises.[/caption]Round Rock Travel & Cruises has put a client on every continent, including Antarctica.
“It’s about listening to the client and making sure we give them a good value for their dollar,” owner Will Peckham said regarding the success of his business. “The agents in our office have an immense amount of experience.”
Round Rock Travel is a family affair. The business was purchased by Peckham’s parents, Bill and Mary, in 1983. Though he took it over about 10 years ago, Peckham’s father still comes to the office on occasion to work. Four additional travel agents also work in the office. Business used to be corporate-heavy and come from organizations and companies, Will Peckham said.
But when the airlines switched their business model in the late 1990s and cut all their commissions, Round Rock Travel turned its focus to leisure, similar to many other travel agencies.
“We still have corporate clients we do business with, though,” Peckham said. “If a large group from a university or corporation needs a trip planned, they can call us and tell us what they need instead of taking up their own time to do it.”
Clients are not charged a fee at Round Rock Travel. The company earns money on a commission basis from the travel services it books with.
Community members interested in planning a getaway can come by the Round Rock Travel office without an appointment.
“Clients come in and say something like, ‘I’m thinking about taking the kids on vacation,’ or ‘I want to go stay at an all-inclusive resort. How do I start?’
“We sit down and listen to what they really want and help them find the right value,” Peckham said.
Peckham said working with clients is the best part of the day for the staff at Round Rock Travel & Cruises.
“It’s just fun,” he said. “Everybody who walks in the door is happy—we’re taking them on vacation—so it’s a great business to be in.”
Round Rock Travel & Cruises
407 Round Rock Ave., Round Rock 512-255-4011 www.roundrocktravel.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
