The term Travel Agent goes back to the glory days of travel, before the internet made it easy for anyone to book a trip for themselves. It was a time when your agent would see to every detail of your trip, that is was well-planned, correctly booked, and suited specifically to you. For a time, it looked like Travel Agents might go away. But they didn’t - despite economic downturns, airline crises, and an incredibly accessible Internet. Why are Travel Planners still in business and thriving today?
Personal Attention: Travel Consultants are dedicated to learning about your travel needs, wishes, and desires. They want to know who you travel with, what you like to do together, and what you hope to achieve with your trip. Whatever your goals, they want to help you reach them. A good travel agent will listen, respond, and help advise you toward the perfect trip, every time.
Expertise: The Internet is about self-service for the same price. This seems okay, until you realize how much is out there and how overwhelming it can be with all the choices and advise from strangers. It’s easy to get lost in the minutia. A Travel Agent will guide you through all the options and suggest some you may have missed. In addition a good travel consultant will always take advantage of the best promotions and amenities. A trusted Travel Planner will save you a lot of time and in the end get you the best value for your money.
Personal Service: A big costly trip has several moving parts: air travel, ground transfers, hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, excursion activities, etc. A Travel Agent will package everything for you and be your one point person for all details. A good Travel Consultant is both easily accessible and professional; and able to answer your questions, concerns, and do all the leg work. They will treat your vacation as their own. Most are experienced independent contractors so easily able to offer objective good recommendations.
FREE: What most people don’t recognize is that most Travel Consultants work at no additional charge to you. They are paid by the suppliers themselves, similar to many other industries not as susceptible to false marketing messages. There are a few exceptions to this and if fees are incurred, the Travel Agent will let you know that at the very start of planning.
WHEN YOU KNOW HOW THE INDUSTRY REALLY WORKS, IT’S A NO BRAINER. USING A TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL ALWAYS MAKES THE MOST SENSE WHEN SPENDING A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY ON YOUR VACATION!
