The advent of online booking sites has raised the bar for customer service. Travel agents would rather create a personal relationship with their clients and win their business by providing honest, high-quality service. After all, every resort has its share of bad rooms. Generally, a tiny, smelly room will be cheaper than a freshly- renovated one. Moreover, a room overlooking a dumpster will cost less than a newly-built room overlooking the beach. In addition, hidden taxes and daily resort fees may take more of the actual booking amount than the cost of the actual vacation itself. Travel agents advise against these extra charges and recommend booking through a local travel agent to avoid being ripped off by online booking sites.
Features
A travel agent booking site should offer the same types of features for the customers as it does for the travel agent. Unlike a typical website, travel agency booking sites are designed to offer customers multiple booking options and can be customized to blend with the agency’s branding. These sites also have features that assist in managing reservations, which includes presenting customers with options based on price and inventory. They also allow users to save and export quotations and documents with pricing.
A travel software should provide full automation for the entire travel process, including customer service. A good online quotation management system is also crucial. Creating a quote for a single destination can take a full day of work. Multiple destinations and factors associated with each destination will require more time. Travel agents should look for a booking software that will provide these services automatically. Those with a robust online quotation management system are the best options.
Benefits
The benefits of a travel agent go far beyond the convenience of booking your trip. Top travel agents have relationships with award-winning chefs, hotel managers, and tour operators. With access to these relationships, they can enhance your trip in ways that you would not have otherwise thought of. The following are five reasons to use a travel agent. The first benefit is the value they bring to your trip. Travel agents offer services and amenities that other sites don’t.
Cheaper prices: The price difference between travel agent booking sites and online platforms is quite substantial. While many people think of online travel booking sites as low-cost alternatives, agents are often able to obtain the best rates and discounts. They can also compare fine print and extra fees that online booking sites often hide. As a result, they can often find better deals and offer more choices to customers. These are benefits that an online travel agent cannot match.
Costs
When deciding which travel agent booking site is right for you, keep in mind that you will pay more for their services. Most travel agents receive a commission when you book through them, but this is already included in the price. Additionally, travel agents can get discounts from different sources than bookers can, including hotel and tour operators. The travel agent may also be able to negotiate deeper discounts. So the costs associated with using a travel agent booking site may be worth it to you.
When comparing travel agent booking sites, make sure to compare price, service, and advice. Travel agents have access to the entire airline network, and their knowledge of specific routes puts them in the heart of the action. Their knowledge of the destination and how to maximize savings is important when planning your trip. Some agencies offer price protection plans that can help you avoid unexpected costs, so it’s worth asking about these options when comparing prices.
Niche
There are many niche travel agents out there. Many of them specialize in a certain destination, such as foodies or luxury travelers. Others are generalists who do everything. Whatever your travel niche, you can be sure there are plenty of clients out there. Niche travel agents are profitable because most of their clients have already done their research online. Millennials, in particular, are accustomed to researching vacation plans online. You can take advantage of this fact to your advantage.
For example, if you enjoy the great outdoors, you should consider signing up for a niche travel agent booking site. Wilderness Travel curates trips to various exotic locations. You can choose from private journeys, cultural hiking expeditions, and expedition cruises. There are many places you can visit and enjoy with this niche travel agent. But the best part is that you can book your trip right through the site. This way, you won’t have to spend hours searching online.
