Millions of individuals travel on a daily on domestic as well as international flights. There are also many individuals travelling on cruise lines and by rail. Most individuals travel for pleasure while some travel on business as well as pleasure. Most persons if given the chance will take a planned vacation or a business trip. Obviously the business of travel is an immense enterprise. Travel agencies stand ready to take the hassle out of travel. There are thousands of different travel agencies all over the world, however large travel agencies have established branches across several countries and almost every travel agency now has their own website. Traditionally travel agencies provided services for airlines, car rentals, cruise lines, hotels, railways, and for many other destinations for travel and tourism. More recently travel agencies have increased their suite of services to include performing functions such as passport renewal, visa applications and acquisitions of birth certificates.
Some travel agencies maintain a large book of business, with the majority being repeat customers and referrals. In some instances travel agents earn commissions by securing discounts from carriers and destinations and then deducting these discounts from customers who are required to pay in full for the relevant services. In some instances travel agencies are paid a predetermined amount in commissions from carriers and destinations for services delivered. From these arrangements travel agencies’ fees are not an additional cost to their customers.
With the advent of the internet, more and more revenues have been diverted from travel agencies as airlines and hotel destinations etc. now provide easier access for their customers, to deal direct. Customers are able to log on to the website of their service providers and make their own travel arrangements and pay for these transactions online. While this option has reduced the earnings of travel agencies they still remain relevant and productive enterprises. Travel agencies have also harnessed the power of the internet to deliver their services to the travelling public.
Travel agencies are strategically poised to shop around and assemble the best packages for their customers. Once a customer has decided on their destination and approaches the travel agency, the agent springs into action and provides the customer with options.
Travel agencies have also used their initiative to approach amusement parks, casinos etc. to assembly attractive packages for entertainment services. These packages are marketed to schools and other such groups most times significantly discounted.