What to Do When Your Client Says "We Want to See Everything"
You know the inquiry. It lands in your inbox with that familiar mix of excitement and impossible logistics: "We have 7 days in Ireland and we want to see everything!"
Your client has been watching Instagram reels of the Cliffs of Moher, reading about Edinburgh's Royal Mile, and their cousin told them they absolutely cannot miss the Cotswolds. They want castles and whiskey and that one pub from the movie and also can they squeeze in a day trip to Paris?
Here's the thing: this isn't actually a problem. It's an opportunity to show your value as an advisor. You just need the right approach (and maybe a little help from someone who knows these destinations inside out).
Start With Why They Think They Want Everything
Before you redirect, get curious. That "see everything" request usually means one of three things:
They don't know what they don't know. They've seen highlight reels but have no concept of distance, driving times, or how exhausting it is to change hotels every single night.
They're worried about missing out. This might be their one trip to Ireland or Scotland, and they want to make it count.
They haven't defined what matters most. They're throwing everything at the wall because they haven't thought through what kind of trip they actually want.
Your job isn't to shut down their excitement. It's to channel it into something that'll actually work.
Ask Better Questions
Stop asking "where do you want to go?" Start asking questions that reveal what kind of experience they're after:
"What does a perfect day look like on this trip? Are you picturing active exploration, or more relaxed sightseeing?"
"When you come home and tell friends about this trip, what's the one thing you want to brag about?"
"Would you rather have time to linger over a long lunch at a country pub, or are you happy grabbing sandwiches so you can fit in one more castle?"
These questions do two things: they help you understand their actual travel style, and they gently introduce the concept of trade-offs.
Reframe the Conversation Around Experience, Not Checkboxes
Here's your secret weapon: shift from "places" to "experiences."
Instead of: "You want to see Dublin, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, and Cork in 5 days."
Try: "It sounds like you want a mix of city energy, dramatic coastal scenery, and charming small towns. Let's build something that gives you all three without spending half your trip in the car."
This does something important. You're validating what they want while steering them toward a trip that actually delivers it.
Get Real About Geography (Without Being Condescending)
Most of your clients think Ireland is the size of Rhode Island. They don't realize that Dublin to Galway is a solid 2.5 hours of driving, and that's if they don't stop. Add in the photo op at every scenic pullout (and there are dozens), a lunch stop, and maybe a detour to see an abbey someone mentioned, and suddenly that's a half-day gone.
You don't need to lecture them on Irish geography. Just paint the picture:
"Ireland is more spread out than it looks on a map. If we try to cover Dublin, Galway, the Ring of Kerry, and Belfast in 6 days, you'll spend more time in the car than exploring. What if we focused on the west coast and really did it right?"
Give them permission to slow down. Most clients will be relieved.
Offer a Better Alternative (With Specifics)
Don't just tell them what won't work. Show them what will.
"Instead of trying to hit 8 cities, what if we built a route that takes you from Dublin to Galway, with stops at a few spots that give you everything you're after: a castle stay, time at the Cliffs of Moher, a whiskey tasting, and a day in a small village where you can actually relax?"
Be specific. Vague suggestions don't build confidence. Concrete alternatives do.
Know When to Bring in the Experts
Here's where working with a DMC makes your life infinitely easier. When a client wants to "see everything," you've got two options: spend hours researching routes, driving times, and whether that castle hotel they saw on Instagram is actually worth the detour, or send the inquiry to someone who already knows.
We handle these requests all the time. You tell us what your client is after, we build an itinerary that feels full without being frantic, and we send you a white-labeled proposal that makes you look like the expert who just gets it.
You stay in control of the client relationship. We handle the logistics. You both look smart, your client gets a trip that actually works, and nobody spends their vacation stressed out on narrow Irish roads wondering why they're behind schedule.
Set Expectations Early
The best way to handle "we want to see everything" is to prevent it from becoming a problem in the first place.
When you're qualifying clients, mention pacing upfront: "One thing I always tell clients about Ireland is that the best trips aren't the ones where you see the most places. They're the ones where you have time to actually enjoy where you are."
Plant that seed early, and you'll get fewer "see everything" requests to begin with.
The Bottom Line
When a client says they want to see everything, they're really saying they want a trip that feels worth it. Your job is to show them that "worth it" doesn't mean cramming in every sight. It means coming home with stories, not just photos taken through a car window.
You've got the skills to guide that conversation. And when you need someone who knows exactly how to turn "everything" into an actual itinerary? That's what we're here for.