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When you REALLY want to get away! |
| WHY SHOULD YOU USE A TRAVEL AGENT? |
When you book with a travel agent, you are dealing with a top professional. You are
also dealing with a real, live human being who not only provides you with full travel
services and advice, but is there to lobby on your behalf should anything go wrong with
the arrangements. Case in point? When Aloha Airlines and ATA went bankrupt in the
same week of early 2008, clients who booked their flights with a travel agent found that
in many cases, their agent was already re-booking them on other airlines, before they
even knew that anything was wrong. Those customers that booked on their own? Well,
that is where they were left: On their own.
Before the trip your travel agent works with you to discover your needs and then
respond to them. Travel is a service industry and servicing your needs is a first step
towards success. Your travel agent knows your personal preferences and how
important those preferences are to you. At this stage in your trip the agent’s job is to
confirm these arrangements. But there are many true stories of agent’s going one
better. Clients have been known to obtain free gifts, upgrades and other amenities that
they would not have received otherwise. It doesn’t happen all the time but it probably
happens more than you think.
These days many clients research on the internet but this tends to result in “information
overload”. With sites galore about hotels in Hawaii, how do you know which is best for
you? Can you trust the online reviews? Are the descriptions accurate? Can you really
capture the atmosphere of that perfect resort you are looking for just by browsing the
net? A travel consultant is there to sort through the morass or blogs, ads and reviews
and provide you with the answers you need.This is where the experience and expertise
of a travel professional benefits you in dividends.
During the trip a travel agent is still there for you. They expect to be contacted should
anything go wrong with the arrangements. A plus, they know you and your trip
intimately and are already personally invested in making sure that it turns out as you
have both planned. Some internet booking sites claim to have 24/7 emergency contact.
If something goes wrong, you don’t know exactly where you are calling and you don't
have the name of a salesperson as a reference. Do you really want to speak with Bill
who is sitting in a Call Center in Nebraska? Are you going to feel comfortable that Bill
knows that this is your dream vacation? Face it--you are just a booking reference
number on Bill's computer.
There is just no substitute for personal interaction. Travel agents are trained to
determine your travel needs and respond to them. Even after the trip an agent is there
to listen to your praise, take in your suggestions and help resolve any issues that may
still remain. As much as online booking sites try to emphasize choice and freedom and
independence, the bottom line is that travelers remain responsible for their own actions.
Push the “enter” key and you can only hope that you made the right decision.
A travel agent adds a dimension to the booking equation that one won’t find on the
internet: attentive consultations; experience and expertise; direct, consistent contact
and a personal travel advocate working on your behalf.
also dealing with a real, live human being who not only provides you with full travel
services and advice, but is there to lobby on your behalf should anything go wrong with
the arrangements. Case in point? When Aloha Airlines and ATA went bankrupt in the
same week of early 2008, clients who booked their flights with a travel agent found that
in many cases, their agent was already re-booking them on other airlines, before they
even knew that anything was wrong. Those customers that booked on their own? Well,
that is where they were left: On their own.
Before the trip your travel agent works with you to discover your needs and then
respond to them. Travel is a service industry and servicing your needs is a first step
towards success. Your travel agent knows your personal preferences and how
important those preferences are to you. At this stage in your trip the agent’s job is to
confirm these arrangements. But there are many true stories of agent’s going one
better. Clients have been known to obtain free gifts, upgrades and other amenities that
they would not have received otherwise. It doesn’t happen all the time but it probably
happens more than you think.
These days many clients research on the internet but this tends to result in “information
overload”. With sites galore about hotels in Hawaii, how do you know which is best for
you? Can you trust the online reviews? Are the descriptions accurate? Can you really
capture the atmosphere of that perfect resort you are looking for just by browsing the
net? A travel consultant is there to sort through the morass or blogs, ads and reviews
and provide you with the answers you need.This is where the experience and expertise
of a travel professional benefits you in dividends.
During the trip a travel agent is still there for you. They expect to be contacted should
anything go wrong with the arrangements. A plus, they know you and your trip
intimately and are already personally invested in making sure that it turns out as you
have both planned. Some internet booking sites claim to have 24/7 emergency contact.
If something goes wrong, you don’t know exactly where you are calling and you don't
have the name of a salesperson as a reference. Do you really want to speak with Bill
who is sitting in a Call Center in Nebraska? Are you going to feel comfortable that Bill
knows that this is your dream vacation? Face it--you are just a booking reference
number on Bill's computer.
There is just no substitute for personal interaction. Travel agents are trained to
determine your travel needs and respond to them. Even after the trip an agent is there
to listen to your praise, take in your suggestions and help resolve any issues that may
still remain. As much as online booking sites try to emphasize choice and freedom and
independence, the bottom line is that travelers remain responsible for their own actions.
Push the “enter” key and you can only hope that you made the right decision.
A travel agent adds a dimension to the booking equation that one won’t find on the
internet: attentive consultations; experience and expertise; direct, consistent contact
and a personal travel advocate working on your behalf.
- Excerpted from articles from Steve Gillick CTM
