Which of the following best describes the goal of asking the Five W's in client interactions?

The goal of asking the Five W's—who, what, when, where, and why—in client interactions is fundamentally to assess client needs and preferences. This technique allows travel professionals to gather comprehensive information about their clients' requirements, desires, and expectations. By engaging clients through these questions, agents can better tailor travel experiences to fit individual preferences, ensuring that the proposed options are relevant and appealing.

Understanding the five W’s creates a clearer picture of the client's travel goals, such as preferred types of accommodations, activities they enjoy, timelines for their trips, and specific locations they wish to explore. This insight informs the travel agent's recommendations and helps in building a strong rapport with the client, which is crucial for delivering excellent service.

The other choices involve important aspects of travel planning but do not focus on the initial goal of understanding client needs. Presenting product features and benefits relates to marketing efforts, calculating prices addresses logistics, and establishing endorsements pertains to building credibility and trust—all layers that come later in the process after the client's preferences are understood. Therefore, the core objective of utilizing the Five W's is centered on discerning and meeting the specific needs of the client.