The travel business is flourishing once again and because of this post-covid boom in travel, lodging, rental cars and airfare are regularly booked far in advance. Trying to traverse these difficulties by yourself can be quite challenging but having an experienced travel agent working on your behalf certainly makes things easier.

WHY SHOULD I USE A TRAVEL AGENT? EVERYTHING IS ONLINE THESE DAYS?

This is true. You can find travel deals and do your bookings online these days but that also means that you are responsible for all of your own research and planning. Many countries still have restrictions. There are also insurance considerations and travel advisories to keep up to date with, such as which countries require visas or health screenings. These are constantly changing and staying informed of all these constant changes can be a daunting endeavor.

Travel Professionals are more important now than ever before. With years of experience and expertise regarding travel destinations, transportation and vendors, an agent can eliminate hours of online research time. They will continue to stay up to date on all these elements so that they can guarantee their clients are prepared and that there are no unfortunate surprises when it comes to that long-awaited vacation. 

A TRAVEL AGENT IS ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG

Even using an experienced travel agent, it is inevitable that sometimes things will go wrong. The advantage of having a professional in your corner to put an end to the turmoil swirling around you might be the difference between a vacation that turned into a nightmare and one that relaxing and care-free.

There are always issues such as lost passports or reservation problems but and experienced travel agent will always be available to solve these concerns so you can just relax and enjoy your vacation.

THEY KNOW THEIR PROVIDERS AND DESTINATIONS

An experienced travel advisor knows their travel providers and the destinations they are proposing. They are usually familiar with the area they are recommending. They can advise on the best lodging, tours and restaurants. They may not have visited every destination, but they have trustworthy sources of information on must-see areas as well as the ones to avoid.

TRAVEL AGENTS SAVE YOU MONEY

One of the biggest misconceptions that keep travelers from using a travel professional is the perceived cost. Most people don't realize that travel agents earn their money in many different ways. They get paid commission on hotels and vacation packages and may be able to provide travelers a far better vacation for even less than booking it yourself online.

Most travel agents will have access to exclusive deals that you would not have access to when booking your travel online yourself. If you also take into consideration the agents wide-ranging knowledge, and you’ll find that using a travel agent is one of the best ways to stay within budget.

PERKS

Travel professionals will often have access to perks that you may not be aware of. Whether it's a possible room upgrade, fee waiver or a reservation at the hottest restaurant or most popular tour, your travel agent will often add perks into your vacation plan and will have access to the resources and people who can help you plan the perfect event.