What is the role of the travel agent and how has it changed?

Answer 1

I think that the travel agent is there to offer a professional opinion. Help the client make decisions, recommend different options, work with budgets, etc. Basically, the travel agent takes the stress out of the planning. You can be involved as much or as little as you want with a travel agent. A travel agent is also there in case of a problem. To me, a travel agent is always going to be worth it to me.

I think the main thing that is changed is how hard an agent has to work for their business. I think years ago a travel agent was almost expected to be used for traveling. Now adays, people are less concerned about service and quality and more concerned about getting the lowest price. I think a lot of travel agents put in a lot of time and get nothing for it because the people they were working with go book the trip elsewhere after getting the information from the agent.

I go to Disney often, it is one of my favorite places to travel to. I always use my agent to book it, even though I still know quite a bit about Disney, she still knows more than I do. But, just from watching the message boards and things for Disney fans/travelers, I can tell how competitive the industry is. You see agents all the time trying "fight" for the client. I think it is sad most people don't use agents anymore because they really are valuable to the planning of a vacation and making sure you get the most special and memorable vacation, no matter what your budget is.

Answer 2

I was a travel agent 15 years ago. Then we helped clients by booking their flights, cruises, vacations, hotels... We had access to computer systems that allowed us to research fares and find the lowest price possible. We made commissions on everything we booked (back then it ranged from 10 to 25% of the fare/package price/hotel rate)

Today, I'm out of that business but I have a friend who still is. They tend to focus now mostly on cruise and package travel. Airlines stopped offering commissions, so they now have to charge clients to book airfare as it is the only way to make money on that service. With the internet, it is far easier for the average person to spend time researching their own prices.

Answer 3

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