Why should I use a Travel Agent?
posted in Article |With the overwhelming number of sources for information (the internet, cable TV, newspapers, magazines, guidebooks, etc.), it’s no wonder the consumer is confused, yet that’s precisely why the services of a professional travel consultant are more valuable than ever.
The best thing an agent can do is to match up a traveler with the vacation that’s right for them. The professional travel consultant gets to know their clients to learn their interests and needs, as well as their likes and dislikes.
Need more convincing?
Here are 10 good reasons to use a travel professional:
- 1- Distilling the product information: Through an ongoing process of familiarization and customer feedback, the agent becomes a travel expert.
- 2- Investigating and supplying competitive information: No single supplier is going to advise a consumer that a better route or fare is available on a competing carrier.
- 3- Staying abreast of promotions: Via daily faxes, agent-only e-mail transmissions and relationships with their district sales managers, agents have the most current promotional information.
- 4- Analyzing the current promotions: The cheapest is not always the best.
- 5- Clarifying the fine print, such as cancellation penalties and restrictions: Again, the benefits of a professional’s experience can save traveler money and headaches.
- 6- Making recommendations for travel-related options: Travel agents accumulate knowledge about a variety of travel topics such as where to eat, where to shop, what to pack, etc.
- 7- Simplifying the research: Agents can provide one-stop shopping for travelers who require air arrangements, rental cars, cruise accommodations and hotel stays - with suggestions that are in the best interest of the client, not the supplier.
- 8- Enhancing the trip with value-added benefits and amenities: Agents can add to the clients’ experience by arranging for a bottle of wine, a special land package, a specific escort or other custom amenities.
- 9- Using their clout to obtain the best possible in seemingly impossible situations: Whether it’s airline seats, hotel rooms or cruise space, the travel agent has more buying power than the consumer.
- 10- Getting problems resolved: The agent serves as the consumers’ advocate in the event something inadvertently goes wrong.
Having said all that, there remains room for the independent traveler who has access to the Internet to do research, the time to contact individual service providers, and the patience to wade through the possibilities.
