Jul 24 2008
Using a Travel Agency
In our technology rich world, all types of information is at our fingertips. We can research places we want to travel to, compare prices and book a vacation right in our own homes. Previously we relied on only travel agents to find us the best vacation deal, the best flight, the biggest discounts and the best hotel. It has not been that long since we would go to the travel agency and pick up our paper tickets. The question that we are faced with now is, with the wealth of travel information available on the internet, has the travel agency become a thing of the past? What can a travel agency offer us that we cannot accomplish ourselves?
A travel agency can still offer consumers information and services that are not available to us online. There are such things as booking flights that the majority of the people can successfully accomplish on their own. A travel agency however can recommend to you alternative and smaller airports that budget carriers use. This by itself can save you a lot of money. However, the main thing that a travel agency can offer you is firsthand experience and knowledge. If you are planning on taking a cruise for your vacation, you may want to speak with a travel agency that specializes in cruises. These travel agencies have traveled on various cruise lines and can give you a lot more insight than a website or brochure. This also goes for specific tours and luxury and adventure travel.
With that being said, the other question you may ask yourself is how to can you find a reputable travel agency since there are so many to choose from? There are a number of things that you can do that will help you find the right travel agency. First you should look into a travel agency that is referred or recommended to you by friends or relatives. Understand however that just because someone you know has been using a certain travel agency for a long time does not mean that they are the best travel agency for you. It may be that a friend of yours books mainly cruises and you may be planning to go to Brazil. You should not be afraid to ask questions. You may want to ask your friend if they have ever been to the place you want to go.
Next, when choosing a travel agency, you should make sure they are certified and a member of a professional association. There are a number of travel agencies that mandate that their travel agents need to pass the Travel Agent Proficiency exam. This test was formed by the American Society of Travel Agents and the Travel Institute. The test provides a standard of proficiency for the travel industry.
IATA or the International Airlines Travel Agent Network is another organization that measures the credibility of a travel agency and travel agents. When a travel agency has an IATA number, this identifies the agency as travel professionals who qualify for discounted rates and other industry perks.
There is still much that a travel agency can offer that travel websites cannot.
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