You’re Becoming a Travel Agent????

You’re Becoming a Travel Agent????

When I tell people about my recent career choice the reactions are usually surprise to incredulity. Some people have actually asked if they still have travel agents! Only those who know me well and those who have traveled with me understand. So, to all others yes I am becoming a travel agent (actually a travel consultant), and no I am not stark raving mad.

The Internet Didn’t Eat Us!

No body books travel with travel agents in this day of internet travel sites, right? Wrong! Over 70% of all air travel is still booked by agents. The web booking business came in with a bang. We all know that people rapidly embraced booking their own travel on the web in a quest for the lowest prices. What most people don’t know is that after years of grabbing market share from the full-service travel agency business the web booking engines’ share of the market has shrunk for each of the past five years! Travel agents not only never went away; they are coming back stronger than ever.

Big Savings Online, Right?

The aforementioned market share shrinkage is despite the common belief that there are huge savings to be had if we just book our own travel. This belief is largely misplaced. Occasionally web-only specials are lower priced than what agents can offer. Sometimes travel agents can get lower prices than you can find on the web. Usually the prices are pretty much the same! Many travel vendors have policies in place not to undercut the travel agency businesses which bring them most of their revenue. Do not bite the hand that feeds you!

If it Doesn’t Save Money Why Book Online?

Book online if you like it. Perhaps you like figuring out where to stay or how to get there. I love poring over Trip Advisor reviews to find the right hotel at the right price. This is one reason why I became a travel consultant. If you prefer to research all of the options yourself, book online. If you like to work out any unexpected difficulties (I booked an ocean view room! What do you mean my flight is cancelled?) on your own, book online. If you book on your own, you will be on your own!

Can You Help Me Get What I Paid For?

Check out the consumer help columns in the major travel magazines. They are very informative. I read several each month, and notice some things almost all of the distraught consumers have in common. They had a problem which was not resolved to their satisfaction despite their best efforts. They were treated as if their business was not important to the travel vendor. They booked their own travel on the internet. There is a reason the internet travel sites are advertising customer service: they know their customer service sucks! A good travel agent will head off most problems, and resolve most of the others leaving very little to complain about for those who book old-school.

Next Time: Why Me and Why Now?