Why do we need a Travel Agent?
With so many booking sites that’s readily available, booking travel online can be very enticing to many of us since all we really need to do is choose our destination follow the easy steps and “Voila”, we can all be our own agents.
What we need to understand is that, a travel agent is not just an individual who makes a reservation on our behalf, but these individuals are travel experts and travel professionals. They are equipped with advanced knowledge of not only how the systems works but also has in-depth knowledge of the desired location that we wish to visit. With many connections with the airlines and hotel chains and tour operators worldwide, these individuals are the best bet for a perfect vacation.
A travel agent/specialist would treat you as their client and not as a reservation number, and would understand your wants, likes or dislikes. We would be able to make suggestions and tailor your vacation to better suit you verses a preprogrammed website. Having a personal travel agent helps you eliminate the time and effort spent booking your vacation since they know all of your personal information and preferences example seating, upgrades, hotel choices, and preferred airlines. Travel Agents would also check you in and reconfirm your flights 24hrs before departure. All you need to worry about is what to pack.
Another fantastic feature of booking with a travel agent is the before, during and after care service. Travel agents are there with you during travel in cases of emergencies. When things do not go as planned, these travel experts know exactly how to get it rectified. It is very easy to call your travel agent during travel if you need to extend your hotel stay or to change your flight plans due to poor weather conditions. If you need to re-route on another flight, they would know exactly who you are and how to best assist you, whereas calling a call center or a preprogrammed website may keep you on hold for hours to speak to an agent, then a few more for the agent to pull your reservation and then trying to figure out what is your itinerary. Some of these sites may even have hidden fees or different conversions rate that you might not be aware of until your statement arrives.
Travel requirements are very important, and travel agents are equipped with the knowledge of passport validity and visa requirements and they are best to advise and ensure that their clients are aware before travel.
Another great reason to use a travel agent is for group travels of 10 or more. Many families choose to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries or simply spending time together at preferred destinations. This enables them to enjoy each other’s company while exploring new destinations or simply relaxation.
With destination weddings on the rise, more couples are choosing to tie the knot in preferred Caribbean or European destinations. Most travel agents visit these destinations and are able to provide first-hand knowledge of the desired location. An agent would also be able to recommend a destination based on your budget and preferences. This looks like an attractive alternative for many couples but planning one can be very stressful if you are not knowledgeable about the destination. These events require a lot of planning and requires an agent to liaison with the resort to ensure all your needs are met. A destination wedding is not just a one day event, most couples would have a welcoming dinner on the first day the guests arrive. Another event that’s very popular at these venues are family excursions. These events need to be booked in advance by your agent for availability when trying to accommodate a large group.
Always remember, travel agents are right in the heart of the travel world and often attend an array of travel and tourism fairs. At these events they make direct contact with the members of all the major airlines, hotel chains, cruise and resort brands, so they are the best bet for your vacation and travel needs.