In a society where personalized service has become practically obsolete, travel agents have made an impression on consumers seeking one-on-one attention. In fact, recent articles in Smart Money, the New York Times, and the Philadelphia Inquirer show travel agents are here to stay because they bring value to the travel equation.
Articles in these publications indicate a rise in travel agent usage. The articles concur that the reason for this increase is that the online giants simply cannot match the level of service travel agents offer. Moreover, travelers say they don’t have the time or energy to search the Internet for the best deals.
The July 3rd New York Times article by Abby Ellin entitled “Happy Returns for Travel Agents” related the tale of Gene Luntz who after years of booking his travel online, went back to using a travel agent. The turning point came after Luntz purchased a ticket on Priceline.com. He caught a bad cold the day before he was to leave and spent hours on the phone trying unsuccessfully to find someone to help him change his flight. He ended up throwing away his tickets and went back to using his former travel agent. “They take really good care of me and I have somebody on the other end that can help me, as opposed to a website that can give me no response,” Luntz told the Times.
Another article, “Don’t Underestimate the Value of a Travel Agent” by Ed Perkins for the Chicago Tribune, stated that many travelers, including him, still rely on travel agents. “Although an agent charges a few dollars, professional assistance in travel is worth the cost.” Perkins said that the number one reason most consumers use travel agents is to take advantage of their specialized knowledge on airline cost-cutting tricks, destinations, supplier deals, time saving services and help when something goes wrong.
“A Return Trip to Travel Agents”, a July 10th Philadelphia Inquirer article, pointed out that despite a projected increase in Internet bookings, research indicates that overall online activity has declined over the past few years. Many experienced travelers say they have found a need to use “both technology and a helpful voice on the phone to get the most for their money,” according to the Inquirer.
There is a host of compelling reasons to use a travel agent:
· Travel agents are out to find the consumer the best rate available and to provide unbiased information: Agents work for their clients, not for a travel supplier. It makes sense that a happy customer will be a repeat customer.
· Convenient, one-stop shopping. Agents are there to save you money and time.
· Expert guidance: Travel agents, unlike instructions on a Web page, are experts in understanding and deciphering myriad travel information and codes. It's what they've been trained to do and they do it every day.
· Time: Instead of checking a long list of travel Web pages, which only provide rates and fares for the companies that have contracted with them, why not go straight to the source? A travel agent has all the information at their fingertips, saving you a few hours in front of a computer screen.
· Personalized service: Travel agents know what you want and what you value in your travel experience. Travel agents are the invaluable link between travelers and their destinations.
· Professional advice: Travel agents are there to make sure you get where you want to go, when you want to go and for the best value.
· Customer advocacy: Travel agents are advocates for the traveler. If you have a problem with a particular part of your travel experience, the agent is there to act on your behalf.
At Uniglobe Ulti-Max Travel, we are here before, during and after your trip. We provide value, expertise, convenience and personalized service for our customers. Please contact
us today for all your travel needs.
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