Travel agents have been around since the mid-1800s, but they’ve arguably never been more important than today.
In fact, they’re not even known as ‘agents’ anymore, but ‘advisors,’ since their roles extend far beyond simply booking trips. You’ll be thankful they have.
Just consider all the destination, flight, and amenity options available to you. In years past, you might find a great deal, block out the dates, and go. Now, you need to know every detail of your trip from start to finish. That’s where travel advisors come in.
Travel advisors are special. They continue their education, earn certifications, and conduct research to deliver the right solutions for you. In addition, travel advisors have traveled the world themselves. As genuine travel enthusiasts, they have the best firsthand knowledge and add a friendly touch that can’t be obtained from online research.
With so many variables, it’s best to rely on the professionals. You have questions. They have answers and personal investment in you to build dream vacations.
What Is A Travel Advisor?
You’re likely familiar with the term ‘travel agent.’ It’s a profession that’s existed since the mid-1800s. Did you know, though, that it’s vastly outdated?
In 2019, InteleTravel followed the lead of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) in adopting ‘travel advisor’ instead.
The reason is simple: Advisors do so much more for customers than sell travel. They provide guidance at every step of the process, from pre-booking, to your return.
Advisors also study every aspect of the travel industry—including safety measures and the ins-and-outs of insurance policies—to make sure they’re providing up-to-date advice.
That’s a crucial person to lean on, now that the industry itself has shifted so much since early 2020. If you’re not familiar with advisors or ever considered using one, now’s a good time to get acquainted.
Is It Safe To Travel? Conduct Research, Ask Questions & Work With An Advisor To Decide
There’s no simple answer to that question, in part because there are always risks to traveling. Regardless of when and where you plan to travel, follow a process that addresses the safety measures that encompass your entire journey.
1. Conduct research.
Depending on your destination and holiday plan, it’s important to spend time researching new safety guidelines. Most airlines, hotels, resorts, and cruise lines have implemented protocols to keep travellers healthy during their trips.
Delta, for example, has introduced Delta CareStandard, which outlines its safety measures from pre-flight to landing. Palace Resorts, with locations across Mexico and Jamaica, encourages contactless check-in and has strict health protocols for staff and visitors.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has also compiled guidelines on how to travel safely via road, train, and plane.
2. Ask the following questions: Where would you like to go, and what would you like to do?
Whether domestic or international, destinations are at different stages of ‘open.’ Travel industry intelligence firm Skift’s “Reopening Travel: A Global Timeline” report is a great resource for that. If you have a dream location in mind but it has strict guidelines in place, it might be best to delay your trip or book well in advance.
Then again, if you’re more interested in outdoor excursions—hiking, beach time, or boating—than fine dining and urban exploration, those activities reduce the likelihood of crowds and can be enjoyed relatively safely.
3. Talk to an expert travel advisor.
Why try to find all the answers yourself when there are experts who are here to help?
Whether you want to book something for this summer, or seek help figuring out next year’s holiday, tap into our network of extensively trained experts. They can answer questions such as:
- Given your location, what options are available to you?
- What safety measures are being taken in the destinations you’re interested in?
- What if you want to book a trip now, but you decide to postpone it?
Yes, Travel Agents Are Worth It
When the subject of travel agents comes up, there’s an inevitable follow-up: Are they worth it? We say, “Yes!”
Why? There are so many variables involved with travel: How to score great deals, find the perfect destination, upgrade amenities, and prepare for any unforeseeable issues. Who wouldn’t want someone in their corner through it all? Let’s go through three ways travel agents are worth it.
1. You don’t pay them.
How much does a travel agent cost? That’s a little tough to answer. When you work with an advisor, you don’t actually pay them (really!). They get a commission through their sales, and work to find the right deal for you so you return to them each time you travel.
2. They advise you.
They’re so much more than ‘agents.’ The industry term is actually “travel advisor,” because they advise you every step of the way. That means a few different things. You might go to an advisor with a specific dream holiday in mind, or perhaps just an idea—and the advisor finds the perfect option. Advisors may also change your mind about a particular destination, and recommend something you weren’t even aware of. It’s meant to be a conversational, friendly process.
3. They’re resources before and after you book travel.
Have you ever tried to get someone on the phone when your flight’s been canceled out of the blue? Do you have lingering questions about your itinerary when you arrive at your destination? Your advisors are there for you. They’re resources at every stage of your trip, and ready to answer the call whenever you hit the road, or skies, again.
How Travel Agents Save You Money
Despite the proliferation of discount flight and hotel websites, travel agents play an important role in the industry and represent a budget-friendly option for would-be tourists. They save you money, time, and energy. Here’s how!
They don’t charge you fees.
Well, some do, but InteleTravel’s Travel Advisors don’t. Instead, our advisors make money from commissions paid by the vendor or supplier you book with. That means no extra cost to you.
You won’t overpay.
We know, we know. There are plenty of booking sites that guarantee low or no fees, and the best prices on the market. However, on many occasions, you’ll pay less when working with an agent than if you were booking on your own. Travel agents have the inside scoop and spend a lot of time and energy cultivating industry relationships, so they’re always finding the best deals possible. It’s an industry secret that booking engines actually don’t always offer the best deals.
They’ll avoid common mistakes.
Since you likely don’t plan trips every day, it can be easy to make mistakes, and those can cost you money. What if you book the wrong group excursion, or accidentally reserve your hotel for the wrong dates? A travel agent won’t have this issue, and their knowledge will likely save you money.
They can get you extra perks.
Their industry relationships translate to discounted prices, VIP upgrades, or perks—at no extra cost. If you thought an upgrade was out of the question, think again. Then ask your agent.
They can find packages and group rates.
Travel agents will be able to save you even more money by bundling flights, hotels, and other aspects of your trip. Travelling with a large group? They’ll find savings while also ensuring you’re all on the same flights—and sitting together, too!
You Need A Travel Agent If You’re Booking Group Travel
If you’ve ever attempted to schedule brunch over a group text, you’ve probably dealt with the nightmare of trying to find a date, time, and location that works best for everyone. Now imagine doing that for something as important and logistically challenging as a group vacation.
That’s where a good travel agent comes in. They save you time, money, and the hassle of figuring out logistics. Here are the top reasons why you should use a travel agent for group travel.
Travel agents will save you money.
Travel agents can find tours that suit your needs (that aren’t otherwise listed publicly), leverage their relationships with different travel partners (airlines and hotels) to find discounts, and even score you upgrades and unlisted perks. (Champagne upon check-in, anyone?)
Finally, when you use a travel agent, you can book by putting down deposits rather than paying up front. That means your group can choose where to go, where to stay, and what to do without worrying about immediate costs.
Travel agents will take care of the logistics.
You don’t need a member of your group to be a glorified event planner to schedule a nice holiday that works for everyone. Travel agents can find flights for all members of your group and work with each individual’s needs, whether they be budget- or time-based. They’ll also be able to book room blocks, and spell out any documentation needs individuals may have. For example, say you’re going to an international destination, and one of your friends has a passport from a country that has visa requirements. They schedule your trip from start to finish, in a time- and money-saving manner.
Travel agents can make recommendations, saving you the tension of an argument.
Say you and a friend really want to go whitewater rafting, while the other two members of your group would rather have a spa day. All four of you agree that you don’t want to spend a day apart. Travel agents are trained to be able to advise you on alternate locations, solutions to logistical problems, and anything else that might occur. They might even be able to find whitewater rafting hosted by a hotel that has a spa.
Travel agents can help fix any hiccoughs or mistakes.
Your travel agent doesn’t just book flights and accommodations. They advocate for you, if need be. Say one of your friends’ flights gets cancelled, or you schedule a group tour, and the tour company only reserves five seats when you actually need six. Instead of wasting precious holiday time on the phone, you can alert your travel agent, and they will talk to airlines, tour operators, and whoever else on your behalf. Just focus on having a fun time with your friends.
Travel Agents Will Help You Avoid These Mistakes
From forgetting important paperwork to staying put in the tourist zone, there are many ways to bungle a trip—all of which you can avoid if you work with a travel agent.
Not Looking Up Visa Information
Imagine booking a flight for your dream holiday months in advance and waiting eagerly. When the day finally arrives, you hop on your flight, and when you disembark, customs asks for your visa. If you don’t have one, you’ll have to go back home.
This happens more often than you might think, by and large because online booking engines don’t require visa confirmation or include visa information when you buy tickets.
If you work with an agent, however, they will tell you exactly what you need. Visas, passports, whatever else you need—your agent will let you know before you purchase a single thing.
Overstretching Yourself by Overbooking Your Itinerary
One common mistake travellers make is trying to fit too much into their itineraries. Yes, you only have so much time to explore your destination, and that means trying to maximise every moment. But that doesn’t mean you have to do everything.
The best trips allow for flexibility. Our agents are experts at developing itineraries that are fun but not overloaded, meaning you’ll return home actually rested and relaxed. Plus, they can help you reschedule excursions, in case any fun new opportunities pop up.
Relying Too Heavily on Guide Books
Relying solely on a guide book will limit your experiences to the recommendations of the person who researched your destination, and the pricing and scheduling information and restaurants/bars available at the time it was printed.
Travel agents build contacts all over the world, meaning they have access to activities and information you won’t find in a guide book. New restaurant openings, unlisted tour groups, and new hotels (and perhaps a discount or two) are all in the cards when you work with an agent.
Exchanging Currency at the Airport
This is the kind of thing that gets overlooked when you’re booking on your own, but when you have an expert to advise you, they’ll remind you of all the little ways to save money, including money exchange. Agents can find the best exchange rates in your destination city or even advise you on local banks in your area that will do low-cost exchanges in the currency you need.
Not Researching the Local Culture & Climate
What should you wear? What rules are there? What is the etiquette when it comes to dining, drinking—heck, even just walking around? What is the busiest time of year to visit? Is it the same as the best time of year to visit? And what will the weather be like when you get there?
These are all exactly the kinds of inquiries travel agents can answer.
Booking Complicated Flights to Save Money & Wasting Time Instead
Time is money. At least, that’s how the old adage goes. Which is why it’s important to spend a little bit more if it means additional time to enjoy your trip. Travel agents can explore all logistical options to make sure you minimise your transit time and maximise your exploring time without blowing your budget.
Travel Agents & Travel Insurance
Travel agents help with all of your holiday plans. They also prove indispensable for unplanned events. The list of things that could go wrong with travel is exhaustive. There are mechanical issues with planes that cause delays. There are extreme shifts in weather that could cancel a flight or have you miss a connection. Then there’s the ever-present possibility of getting sick at the wrong time.
No matter the unfortunate circumstance, you shouldn’t have to worry about the steps to take next. Travel agents are a great resource for this, and during the booking process, will recommend the best travel insurance plan for you. Here just a handful of the travel insurance questions they can answer for you.
Who should get travel insurance?
The short answer is everybody. You never know what events can affect your trips, and better yet, you want to have solutions and a plan to recoup your losses should you lose time, luggage, or an entire holiday.
Doesn’t the airline have me covered?
This is a narrow way of looking at travel. Airlines might get you on the next available flight, but they don’t necessarily take care of hotel stays or lost meals. It’s best to have a comprehensive protection plan that covers all aspects of your trip.
Isn’t Insurance too expensive?
If you look at the insurance as an upfront cost, it might appear like an unnecessary add-on to an already expensive purchase. Instead, consider the cost per day. Let’s say you’re offered a $100 insurance plan for a 10-day holiday. Would you pay $10 per day for peace of mind, especially when emergencies could prove far more costly than that? You probably would.
Aren’t all plans the same?
No, they aren’t. Not all insurance providers are the same and nor are holidays. You wouldn’t necessarily purchase the same plan for a domestic resort that you would for a two-week European excursion. That’s why it’s so important to work with a reputable company. Your travel agent can help in this regard by talking you through the plan options, and finding the right one for you that fits your budget and protects you if and when things go awry.
