Despite being able to book your own travel yourself, there are many reasons why people still use travel agents in this day and age. One of the biggest misconceptions is that you’ll pay more. That notion is FALSE! Travel agents don’t build or charge a fee into the prices they quote—instead, they are paid by the hotel or cruise line when they book their product, meaning their services to you are FREE. In fact, you will often SAVE money by booking with a travel agent versus booking direct with the cruise line or all-inclusive resort. The reason is that they have access to special offers, blocked space and additional amenities. Travel advisors become your advocate and make sure your trip goes smoothly. So the question really is, why NOT use a travel advisor?
The New Age of The Travel Expert
If the pandemic taught us one thing, it was how truly valuable travel advisors are, especially when thousands of cancellations happened in 2020, leaving many travelers stranded and in need of a credit or a refund. Advisors were instrumental in making sure clients got their FCC’s or future cruise credits and didn’t lose their money. And once travel began to start up, travel advisors were indispensable in navigating the new normal of testing and vaccination requirements that varied from location to location.
Recent studies show that people are 30% more likely to book with a travel professional now than before the pandemic – up from 20%. These numbers corroborate what we’ve seen considering how valuable their service proved during these times. Nearly half (47%) cite their guidance with Coronavirus travel requirements as the main reason, followed by the security of a package holiday (46%).
Surprisingly, despite the techie millennials of this generation, there is an increasing chance to book with a travel professional among young people – with two-thirds (66%) of 18-24 year-olds saying they’re more likely to book with a travel professional now than before the pandemic. A third (34%) also said they have a better holiday when they book through them (up from 20% in 2019). New to travel clients are fueling a resurgence in travel advisor demand, paving the way for investment opportunities for those looking for a stable career as a travel advisor to consider.
Travel agents and operators have been working tirelessly to help their customers navigate the changing travel requirements at home and overseas – and meet the increasing demand for expert insight.
30% of people said that getting additional information about Coronavirus restrictions and safety measures was an advantage of booking with a travel professional, up from 14% who said the same in 2021. These numbers show a trend in the hospitality industry and prove that now is the best time to become a travel advisor with all the perks and position in the industry as a trusted and essential part of planning travel.
