Part 3 of Series: 101 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent

Part 3 of Series: 101 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent

Being a travel professional is just like any other consultative job that people have. We are providing a (much needed) service that is sometimes NOT recognized as being important until it's too late. I say that because there has been a lot of chatter about travel insurance; which is one of those things you wish you had - when you don't have it. Travel insurance has always been something important, but until 2001, a lot of people would forego it as "unnecessary." There was a recent story (in the travel agent community) about a relatively young person who (fortunately) HAD travel insurance and had to use it on a trip when an unexpected (fluke) back injury occurred, and the traveler had to leave the trip earlier than anticipated. They had to make only one call, and that was to their travel professional, and everything else was taken care of with minimal, to any out-of-pocket costs to that person.

Many people are under the impression that working with a travel professional costs a lot of money; it doesn't. While a lot of travel professionals charge a small consultation fee, it is more than earned by the amount of knowledge, research, and time that goes into most itineraries. Also, much like insurance, it's peace of mind. They are there to make the calls that you may not be able to make while you are traveling domestically or abroad. As a travel professional myself, I know that I perform a lot of support to my clients that really aren't "travel related," but helps them to mentally prepare for, and enjoy their vacation.

Perhaps like "Secretary's Day," they will come up with a "Travel Professional's Day"....I can dream can't I????

• Best Value for Your Money Spent - Travel agents can help you to make your dollars go farther while you are away. They have access to finding all sorts of deals ranging from flights to hotels to dinner recommendations.
• Location, Location, Location!!!! - Travel specialists can help you to find a place to stay pretty much anywhere you desire. So if it’s a hotel with a view of the ocean in Hawaii or a jungle hut in the Nigril foothills, a travel agent can help you make it happen.
• Knowledge of All the Ins and Outs - Travel specialists can help bring you up to speed on the local laws and regulations of wherever your travels take you.
• Credentials - Travel agents attend all sorts of seminars and classes to prepare themselves for trip requests like yours, in addition to traveling to many places themselves to be as informed as they can on your places of interest.
• Tourist Attractions - Travel agents can give you a list of all the not-to-miss spots, such as. Like amusement parks, museums, nature preserves, and historical locations etc.

*Source: American Society of Travel Agents

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