In recent years, there has been an ongoing debate on the merits of using a travel consultant for booking leisure travel. Notice that I say “travel consultant”, not “travel agent”! To me, a travel consultant or travel counselor is a different animal than a “travel agent.” A “travel agent” could be someone who sits in a call center somewhere and just takes orders for bookings. On the other hand, a travel consultant or counselor “should” do so much more! A good travel consultant is a professional (just like a doctor, attorney, or a financial advisor) with a passion for travel and helping people realize their dream vacation.
After spending several months thinking about this issue, I decided to prepare a free report on the mistakes people make when choosing a travel consultant. I was surprised at how many mistakes I could come up with. I have entitled the report “Seventeen Critical Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Travel Consultant and How to Avoid Them.” If you would like a free copy, email me at greg@daydreamtravelsite.com or go to our website www.daydreamtravelsite.com. Of course, we hope that we may be able to help with your travel plans but we are providing the report as a free service to everyone.
In this article, I highlight a few of the most pertinent points included in the report. A qualified travel consultant can be an invaluable asset to you in planning your next vacation. The agent can, and should, do most of the leg work for you, get you the best value, be there for you when you need them, and generally act as “your” advocate. Here are a few of the 17 mistakes.
#1. Believing that Travel Agents are Obsolete
Many people are of the mistaken belief that in this day of the internet where you can get “anything” online, the days of the travel agent is either dead or their days are numbered. My answer to this is a four word phrase…. “Don’t You Believe It!” True, you can book your next vacation on the internet and maybe even get an excellent price. But that’s only half the story…or less! Statistics show that the travel agent is making a comeback, and for very good reasons. A truly good travel consultant with whom you establish a relationship will be your advocate for life. They will do the research for you saving you time (and after all, time is money right?). Many times they can get the same price or better than the internet price through suppliers that will price match. They will take the time to explain things to you in terms you can understand (by the way, ever tried to talk with someone in a call center half way around the world that doesn’t speak good English? And that’s after you have been placed on hold for a half hour or more!). They will be there for you before, during and after your trip should problems occur (and they do from time to time). They will provide value added services like tips for traveling abroad or what you need to know about passports (Did you know that most countries now require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your expected departure date from their country?) And, I’ve just scratched the surface…Don’t get me going here! So you see, there are a whole host of things that a good and knowledgeable travel consultant can do for you.
#3. Thinking the Mega-Agency will Always Result in the Best Deal.
Some people think “bigger” is always “better”. Not necessarily true! Many of the larger “mega-agencies” are extremely busy with thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of clients. You may become just a number in their system. As a result, you may become the victim of shoddy service. Sometimes, great things come in small packages. The one or two person “mom and pop” shop can provide you with great value if you find the right fit. A good, small sized, agency will seek to establish a relationship of trust with you. Why? Because their livelihood depends on it. They need you! They will do EVERYTHING they can to satisfy you because they want you to become a repeat customer. Not only that, they want you to be so thrilled with the value of the services that you will refer your friends, relatives, co-workers and even the mail man.
The smart travel consultant realizes what YOU mean to THEM!
#4. Thinking that Booking on the Internet Will Always Result in the Best Deal.
There is little question that the internet is a great resource today to everyone including the traveler. And yes, you can sometimes find great deals on travel on the web. Travel consultants use the web too! But many people have the mistaken impression that they will always get the best deal by booking online. This is just not true from a total value point of view! Have you ever tried to get telephone assistance from an online service if you have a problem with a reservation or need to make changes? How long have you been placed on hold? If and when you get connected, can you understand the person on the other end of the line? Are you able to wade through all the fine print at the bottom of a quote online? Our advice is sure, go ahead and use the internet as a research tool if you wish. But many travel consultants will work with you to take the research you have done and get….not just the best price….but the best overall value for you.
#8. Failing to Check the Reputation of the Travel Consultant .
Most travel consultants (this one included) in this day and agemake use of a fancy website to attract and inform prospects about their products and services. If they are smart, they have an area of the website dedicated to reviews of their services, sometimes referred to as testimonials. This is a good starting place for you, the consumer, to learn something about the agent. But beware! Don’t stop here! How do you know that those website testimonials are not just made up by the agent? Call the consultant and ask for references. If the agent balks at this, run the other way as fast as you can. Now, having said this, sometimes it can be difficult for the agent to get permission from his or her clients to talk with you (e.g., the client may be concerned about their privacy). But usually, they will be able to get at least one of their clients to be willing to do so.
#9. Working with a Travel Agency who Keeps Strict Hours and Isn’t Available When You Need Them the Most.
This is a really critical mistake! If you work with an agent who keeps 9-5 hours, you might as well book through an online agency. Make sure your agent is delivering the value you expect from them. If they are not available to handle problems and emergencies, what good are they? When you are on vacation and the airline does a schedule change that affects your return flight, the last thing you want is to call your agency and hear…”our office is currently closed, please call back on Monday after 9am.”
#12. Choosing an Agency That Won’t Go the Extra Mile to Find the Best Value for You.
Again, if you choose an agency that won’t work hard on your behalf, you might as well just book through one of the online travel companies. You want an agent who is committed to being your advocate! Make sure you check the agent’s references. Is he or she known for searching for the best value for their clients? Do they take care of their clients from the beginning of the travel experience to the end, and beyond? This is what you want!
#15. Choosing an Agent Who Doesn’t Endeavor to Understand You and Your Needs.
You and your agent should seek to establish a relationship of trust and understanding. The more an agent knows about you, your likes and dislikes and the activities you like to engage in, the better they can serve you. You should expect a prospective agent to ask numerous questions to establish a profile for you. If they don’t, it may be a sign that they are more interest in a quick sale than a long term relationship.
So, I think it is fair to say that travel consultants are here to stay. Of course they are not for everyone in every circumstance. But they can and do provide great value if you find the right one to work with.
Happy Travels!
Greg Duggan
Daydream Travel
Denver, Colorado
We Make Dreams Come True!
Email: greg@daydreamtravelsite.com
Office: (303) 728-9657
Toll Free: 1-888-574-8747
