Top Travel Agent Myths

8/1/2017 6:16:08 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

No One Uses Travel Agents Anymore

This could not be further from the truth.  More than half of all travel bookings are booked by a travel agent still to this day.  when it comes to Cruises and actual tour vacations that number increases even more.  There is something to be said for personalized service, attention to detail and someone who knows something about the destination you are going to.

Travel Agents are out to make more money and don’t quote the cheapest prices

While it is possible that you might be able to find the same vacation booking at a cheaper price there is a reason that the travel agent gave you the quote that they did.  Sometimes they know more about the destination than you can tell from looking online.  A travel agent will be looking to get you the best value for your money spent which should include the most direct and time friendly itinerary they can find.  Sure you can get the same deal cheaper but you may also lose an entire day of that vacation to long waits and headaches in airports.  If you want to have the absolute cheapest deal possible make sure you specify that upfront and the agent will take the value out of the equation when producing the quote for you.

I can book the same trip on my own without using a travel agent

Theoretically, yes you can book the same trip without the use of a travel agent.  However, most of the time a travel agent has access to exclusive prices that the public does not have access to because of the amount of business they do.  In addition to this, the price you pay by booking on the internet already includes a fee for a travel agent so even if you don’t use one you are paying for one anyway.  Why not at least get some of the expertise that you are paying for anyway.  Lastly, sometimes travel agents have contacts at the specific resorts you are looking to travel to and they can get added extras or get you booked into a sold out category by picking up the phone and the internet can’t do that.

It is quicker and easier to book online

In today’s fast paced world, time is of the essence and with the instantaneous nature of online booking it is commonly thought that it’s much quicker and easier to book online.  While the online booking process itself may only take a few minutes before a confirmation arrives in your inbox it is the research leading up to the booking that takes time.  How much time did you spend researching that last vacation you took?  How long did you spend proving the place you were going was reputable?  How did you know that the company you were using for booking was legit?  How long did it take you to come up with all the things you were going to do while on vacation and book all those?  

A 10 minute conversation with your travel agent can avoid hours of research hunched over your computer, phone or tablet that often leads to yet more unanswered questions and even more research and precious time wasted. Travel agents often have instantaneous answers to your complex questions and when they don’t, they have access to the most reliable, up to date information direct from local authorities, hotels, airlines, tour operators and a network of other travel agents.

Travel agents only book with reputable, well vouched for suppliers. Travel agencies are regulated and licensed by a central authority and are bound by several consumer protection laws. What that means for you is if things unfortunately do go wrong you can be assured your travel agent will get right on to sorting out the problem and dealing with the suppliers on your behalf saving you time and reducing your stress and burden!

Online booking websites are not regulated or bound by the same consumer protection laws that travel agents are.  Additionally and in most cases they are not even registered or licensed travel agents.  What this means is they waiver all responsibility when things go wrong.   Do you really want to take that risk when you are that far from home?