10 Reasons Travelers Still Need A Travel Agent

In the age of technology, booking trips on line is an easy choice for travelers and yet the business of travel professionals in the United States soared last year. Here are ten reasons to help explain why that is, from a customer’s perspective.

Accountability

A travel agent’s job in on the line with every trip. Travel agents have a boss to answer to, or they are the boss, and they are a real person clients can speak with to work things out

Knowledge

We have been doing the job for years and know all the ins and outs. Traveling to Europe for the first time, instead of deciding where to go based on anonymous comments on a website, speak to someone who does this for a living and knows what they are talking about.

More for your Money

When booking an expensive trip, travelers want to see everything and experience the best a city has to offer. A travel agent can ensure travelers dollars go a long way, and make sure they don’t miss that amazing restaurant down the street, or a special event going on the day they are in town. We know where to go, and when.

Setting an Itinerary

While some people enjoy “just winging it” a travel professional can give a clear cut schedule of what will be happening on a day to day basis and keep clear records of everything that is included on the trip. We can get you into attractions ahead of the crowd.

Budgeting

A travel professional can help map out exactly how much a trip will cost so there are no surprises., Does that excursion on Monday include lunch, for example, or do you have to buy your own? Does it pay to take the drinks package on the cruise ship, or pay for the excursions in advance? A travel professional can guide you and save you money.

Insurance

Things happen. A travel professional can offer insurance in a number of ways, from guaranteeing that the hotel is safe and the company running the excursion won’t rob a traveler, to actually advising on which insurance policies are needed from a trip cancellation to medical emergencies. They also insure that travelers will have the correct travel documents so they don’t end up missing their plane or cruise. When things do go wrong, the travel professionals have the resources and the contacts to get travelers to the head of the line.

Resources

At the touch of our fingertips, we have resources a traveler simply does not have. Yes, we have the internet, but there is so much still left unknown, especially in places that are undiscovered.

Exclusivity

Let’s face it, we all want to be a little different. A travel professional knows the new destinations and the new places in them, and often they can get their client in. Through our partners, we can also often get freebies for our customers that range from a free drink, free breakfast, early check in and late check out, free spa treatment, free upgrade, no resort fees, free car, even tickets to a hot event. All Horizons Travel is part of the Signature Travel Network, who does nine billion in sales around the world so we have a lot of connections and buying power.

Time Saving

Spending hours and weeks researching the perfect trip can take up a ton of time during a busy work week. A travel professional will spend a little time getting to know their client and what they are looking for, and then put together an entire vacation customized for them.

Leverage

Can’t book a room at the place you really want? Had a last minute addition to a trip but all the rooms are booked? No problem. We spend years developing long term relationships and travel companies understand how important their repeat business is. We have leverage with most hotel companies and resorts and we are more likely to get what we want than a single consumer. Our clients definitely get the best rooms. We can get great discounts for a group, a family gathering, or a wedding.

In short, if you have never visited a travel agency, you are missing out on a chance to save time and hassles and aggravation, and more important, money as well.

Go on our website, www.allhorizonstvl.com and see the wonderful offers we have around the world.

What’s on your bucket list for this year?

Maureen Jones

Maureen Jones is president of All Horizons Travel at 160 Main Street. Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure.