Are Travel Agents Still Useful In An Internet Dominated Market?

by admin

Before the internet took over the world, travel agents used to be the ones who people would run towards when planning a vacation. These travel experts would book flights, cruises, resorts, honeymoons and everything in between. These agents pretty much ruled the traveling world because they had ties to airlines, hotels and car rentals as well. If you were lucky enough to bag a good travel agent, chances are he would happily throw in an exclusive discount.

Back in the day, travel agents would earn huge profits from packages and “deals”. Keep in mind these agents were middle men who added a powerful economic value to a well-planned vacation. They bought their clients deals they would never have found on their own, because they didn’t have access to the resources they did. Now, you’re probably wondering are travel agents still useful?

1. Why Are Travel Agents Useful In This Day And Age

Travel agents are still useful, especially if you’re planning a long and complex holiday. They still have access to a variety of deals and options for bulk buying as well. Travel experts do recommend consulting a good travel agent for those planning a long cruise, tours and high-end flights.

This point was reinforced by Patricia Serrano from Fresh Traveler ““It’s very easy to book a flight from New York to Miami today, and if that’s all you want, then you should do it online. But if you’re looking for flights for a group of more than 10 people or a flight itinerary like JFK-MIA-BOG-EZE-LAX-SEA-ORD-EWR, then a travel agent would be of great help.”

2. Travel Agents Are Problem Solvers

One of the biggest advantage of hiring a travel agents are their unique and leveraged relationships with airlines, hotels and car rentals. They have strong work ties all over the world and are experienced enough to get their clients the best possible deals without breaking a sweat. They also have the ability to solve any problem for their clients in real time 24/7. When you’re facing a problem during your travels, there can be no substitute, not even Google, which is more reliable and safe than a travel agent.

3. Are Travel Agents For Everyone?

The answer here is a no. A lot of expert travelers forego the need to consult a travel agent before booking a flight or a hotel. These seasoned travelers have done enough research to get the best deals and to plan a hassle free holiday. If you’re someone who is planning to back-pack through Europe, you will not feel the need to consult a travel agent either, because an agent can’t advise you to go with the flow. They will not be able to get backpackers great deals on hostels, backpacker tours, and train tickets. Your best bet on a budget friendly airline ticket will be a budget airline carrier, which again a travel agent will not be able to help you with. To conclude, travel agents are useful for those who are organizing huge tours or need dozens of plan tickets. They do make life easier by providing bulk tickets or planning an extravagant vacation.

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