Do You Still Need a Travel Agency?

 Do You Still Need a Travel Agency?

Ads featuring William Shatner gushing over Travelocity or that ridiculous gnome raving about Orbitz seem to pop up every time you turn on the TV for more than an hour. When it comes to independently reserving flights and hotels, these travel websites have proven a huge hit. The question therefore becomes, "Are travel agents obsolete?" in light of the internet's massive push to dominate the travel sector.


You may have noticed that these travel sites provide an incredible variety of possibilities for vacations if you have perused them. Not to mention that thousands upon thousands of people have used these services. On the other hand, your requirements as a business traveler differ from those of the ordinary airline customer.

An automated online service like Travelocity or Orbitz just can't compare to the personalized attention and expertise of a real travel agent. An experienced business traveler would find it difficult to go without some of these services, such as...

Just concentrate. You are not planning this trip for fun, as a business traveler. You have well-defined goals for your company. The time you spend worrying about things like travel plans, booking hotels and rental cars, and the like is time you could be using to prepare for your professional task. Calling a skilled travel agent who is familiar with your travel profile and entrusting them with making the necessary preparations will allow you to focus on your business and the impending business trip without having to worry about the details.

Income and wealth. Striking a balance between accommodating a businessperson's hectic travel schedule and being mindful of the company's travel budget is no easy feat. Using an automated online travel service could force you to give up some of your preferred conveniences, such time or location, in exchange for a lower price. With the help of a competent travel agency, you can plan an ideal trip that stays within your company's budget. Plus, they won't make you sacrifice too much of your time to get the job done.

¨ Restore. You won't require assistance if everything goes according to plan during your trip. Unfortunately, changing flights and finding other lodgings can be necessary if you experience troubles while traveling. This is to accommodate flights that are canceled, weather-related delays, or other unforeseen setbacks. These travel mishaps could care less about the looming deadlines you have to accomplish for your company. On the other hand, if you work with a service-oriented travel agency, they will do all in their power to discover alternate routes and resources that will get you to your destination in time for your business meeting.

The personal element. With every trip you take, you can have certain travel goals in mind. A travel agency can tailor their services to your tastes because they have access to your profile and past trips. Also, a travel agency will make sure you're adequately taken care of and accommodated if you have any particular requirements, including dietary restrictions or special accommodations because of a disability.

Issues that arise. Explain the intricacies of your travel plans to your travel agent, and they will coordinate with other agents to arrange the meeting and ensure that your itinerary satisfies your needs—even if they involve connecting with other business partners who are traveling from different offices, having complicated travel schedules, or facing other challenges that cannot be adequately described by the generic screens of an online travel service.

Although online travel agencies offer a practical and inexpensive alternative for most people, their shortcomings become apparent when planning a complex trip or when dealing with unique requirements that the booking systems do not account for. You can rest assured that a human travel agent will give their full attention to tailoring your trip to your needs and ensuring that you arrive at your location prepared to conduct business and achieve your objectives when you deal with them.