When I meet new people and they ask what I do, they are always surprised to learn I am a travel agent. I usually get a response like, “Travel agents still exist?”
In this podcast episode, we discuss the benefits of using a travel agent and why you may want to use one to plan and book your next vacation.
I think there are two main reasons people are surprised that travel agents still exist.
1. The internet and online booking sites give people the impression you do not need a travel agent anymore. This could not be further from the truth. People can do things on their own, but just because they can doesn’t mean they should. Ask anyone who tried something off Pinterest and had an epic fail. Having a professional handle your travel is still a good idea. Our expertise and personal knowledge can do everything from saving you time and money to saving you from an epic fail.
2. You don’t see as many brick and mortar travel agencies in malls and shopping centers. Well, the industry has definitely changed. Many travel agencies have gone fully virtual. We are an example of that. This is great because we can work with clients from anywhere, perfect for planning multigenerational vacations. You don’t have to come into the office to work with us. We are comfortable working through email, phone, Zoom, you name it. Lastly, if you DO want to get together and are local, we can come to a place that is convenient for you. A local Panera Bread or other coffee shop is the perfect place to get together and start planning.
Some people are still hesitant to work with a travel agent because they fear they will lose control of their reservation, it will cost more, or there are hidden fees. These are also not true. We work in partnership with our clients to help them have the best experience. We are that one point of contact that really simplifies their plans.
With a travel agent, clients do not have to reach out to each supplier for their trip to make their plans. They just work with their agent. For example, thinking of going on a cruise? Maybe you want to go from Miami, but you want to arrive the day before. You need to book flights, a hotel, a transfer to the hotel, a transfer from the hotel to the port, the cruise itself, plus a return trip to the airport. That is a lot of different people to work with. Is it best to use the same transfers for all transportation or is it best to get an Uber, taxi, or a cruise line transfer? This entire trip is much easier to manage when you have a professional presenting the options, making the arrangements, and sending you a package with instructions and all your reservations in one place.
