When you think about travel, what do you think of first? Which aspects of travel are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.
Travel agents often are very experienced travellers in their own right, and use these experiences to provide their clients with the most current travel packages available. Successful travel agents also take several courses and achieve certifications in their chosen field to maintain their abilities to offer top of the line service. Travel agents can enrol their customers through the Caribbean’s reservations department currently for select ships and via booking tools for all ships beginning May 10. Travel agents are not in business to book flights. They plan entire vacations, and by purchasing a complete package from them, you might be able to save money.
Travel agents sell 87 percent of cruises, 81 percent of all tours and packages, 51 percent of all airline tickets, 47 percent of all hotels and 45 percent of all car rentals. Travel agents do not have to thoroughly investigate suppliers. In general, they are required only to stay current with reasonably available information, such as what is in trade journals and magazines. Travel agents are a God-send when you have not travelled to a destination in some time. Particularly, an agent who specializes in destinations that interest you.
Travel agents will confer with an array of both published and Internet sources for information on airline and hotel accommodations. The agent must be able to get the best possible arrival and departure times of airlines that meet the needs of the client. Travel agents had suspended sale of tickets of the two airlines on December 29. Travel agents can have knowledge of the area as well as such things as transportation, accommodations, and hospitality issues.
Those of you not familiar with the latest on travel now have at least a basic understanding. But there’s more to come.
Travel agents aren’t going the way of the eight-track tape just yet. Most travel agents are continually learning about destinations and suppliers; who to work with and who not to work with. They are there and they work for you. Travel agents no longer make commissions once offered by all airlines, therefore they must charge for their professional services. Large companies usually have in-house travel specialists who have travel agent backgrounds, though up-and-coming companies can still benefit from using outside travel agencies. Travel agents are not rip-off artists, but it is part of their job to “mark it up”.
Business travel comprised 21 percent of outbound travel, unchanged from 2005. Business travellers often change their plans on a moment’s notice, making the process even more complicated. And ticket prices are constantly changing. Travel agents, although they need a license to sell it, don’t understand insurance (as a general rule). They just know they get paid more when they sell the travel insurance.
Roughly 80% of airline sales, 30% of hotel sales, 50% of rental car sales and 95% of cruise line sales in the United States are made through travel agents. Travel Agents working in travel agencies may advance to managerial positions or start their own businesses. Travel clerks or trainees can advance to Travel Agent, department manager or travel agency manager, or owner.