Are Travel Agents Dinosaurs?

Are Travel Agents Dinosaurs?

 

Bill and Debbie Snyder, Snyder Travel

Buffalo, MN

www.Snyder-Travel.com

 

Why call a Travel Agent instead of going direct? Good Question! And about 5 years ago, it was predicted that being a Travel Agent was a dying profession, and in the age of technology, travel agents would become extinct. Well, here it is 5 years later and the agent community is alive and thriving.   Today’s Travel Agent will help you figure out not only where your next vacation will be; they will help you weed through the piles of information on the internet and let you know what’s real and what’s not.

 

Why you SHOULD use a Travel Agent

 

• The biggest myth surrounding Travel Agents is that they “charge” for their services.   But for travel – such as cruises, tours and land packages, their commission is paid by the vendor. Which means – Travel Agent’s Services are FREE to you!

 

• You get the BEST DEAL by calling a Travel Consultant/Agent. We search all cruise lines to find you the best deal.  And the best part is a travel agent will continue to work for you even after the deposit. So, if a cruise line has a rate change, we call and lower your price. If you book directly with the supplier, does the cruise line call you to let you know there has been a price reduction? I doubt it!

 

• A good agent will also provide advice – once you pull into a port of call, now what? Try to Google the words “Mediterranean cruise” and you will see 1.5 million results. Yikes! Where do you start to look? Who is legitimate and who isn’t? A good local Travel agent will guide you and let you know which the most popular site to see is, or even some hidden secrets they’ve uncovered while traveling. When calling a cruise line directly, do you think the hourly person who answers the phone can offer the same advice?

 

• Your time is valuable. Give an agent a call and let them know what trip you are interested in and let them do all the work. Why spend hours and hours searching the internet or calling each cruise line? Call a Local Cruise Planner Travel Specialist and they will save you time and money.

 

• Who has the best deals? If I call direct, will I get the best possible deal? Yet another myth is that many online sites run exclusive promotions or hold space months in advance. This supposedly gives them an advantage on certain ships and sailing dates. Travel Agents have access to all the best promotions as well.

 

• A travel agent can help you customize your vacation! So you want to have a family reunion, get married or renew your vows onboard? Call an agent today! By booking through a reputable agent, they will take the burden off of you and become the “party planner”. They can set up cocktail parties, beach parties, special shore excursions, wedding receptions, meeting rooms, dining arrangements.

Everyone’s needs, expectations and desires are unique; every vacation is as well. Also every ship and cruise line is also different and unique. Call a competent agent and they can put you on a Cruise that meets your lifestyle. A good local agent will assist you in matching up your desires with a distinctive vacation. Leave it to the pros!