4 Strategies for Finding a Good Travel Agent

The travel industry is a cut-throat one. Facing stiff competition, low profit margins and competition from online travel portals, travel agents is not an occupation for the faint-hearted.

With cut-throat competition abound in the industry; itÕs no wonder that rip-off stories and bad service by travel agents has rocked the confidence of holiday-makers. So are you still wondering if it is still possible to find a travel agent that is good enough for you? Here's how you can find a creditable travel agent for yourself.

Travel objectives

Know what you want first before you approach a travel agent. Write them down if necessary. No point finding a travel agent that can only offer you a land-based package when you are interested in a cruise instead. It's simply wasting their time and yours.

Flexibility in pricing

A good travel agent should be one that you can negotiate with. Airlines are offering travel agents lower commission than before. Hence, there is every chance that they want to earn what they have lost from from you instead. Be brave and ask for discounts if you feel you are not getting what you are paying for.

Network

Word of mouth is powerful. Usually the best way to know if a travel agent is good is to use your network of contacts to find them. Check out who has use who. Find out what is the service level these travel agents have been providing, and the ratings the received from your contacts. This can gives you a very good idea of the competency of the travel agent.

Long term relationship

Unless you are planning to use the travel agent service only once, it is good for you to let them know you are seeking a long term relationship with them. If the travel agent knows he can expect repeat business from you, chances are, they will work harder to earn your respect. Shape their behavior and reward them if they improving. Refer him to others if you like. This can create some goodwill the next time you book a package with them.

Last of all, the best tip I have for you is, when you have found a travel agent that you like, stick with them!

By Jerrick Foo.

hotels Visit the Blog about hotels

Why Travel Agents Are Still So Popular?

The online UK market is brimming with a plethora of online travel agents that are serving the most lucrative and attractive travel deals to their clients. These travel agents and their virtual existence on the Internet has become widespread, with a lot of clients coming in and selecting the most lucrative deals out of all that are available with them. However, this article is not about the online travel agents and their deals, but for a change we can see the benefits of age old method of booking your tickets through your local travel agents.

This sounds very strange in a world that is full of fundamentals of online marketing and deals that look impressive to the mind of any ordinary user. But, the local travel agent is not an obsolete concept and its importance cannot be ignored, even in these times. Let us try to figure out the advantages of a travel agent over the online travel deals that you can directly avail from the Internet. It is often said that you can find some of the best deals yourself on the Internet without the help of these travel agents. However, a travel agent allows you to save much on your time in locating, choosing and freezing the right travel deal.

Also, the online travel industry is full of travel websites and you might not be able to find the right deal on your own. These travel agents know a lot of lucrative websites that are full of profitable travel packages that should suit the your budget and requirement. They also have a fair idea about the best and the most sought after tourist destinations, and they also have the knowledge of the most beefy travel packages to these destination. So, you don't have to put in special efforts in locating as to which is the right kind of the deal for you.

Travel agent also have a fair idea about the local deals that serve well in your domestic area as much as in your favourite tourist destination. They are also dexterous enough in cutting down the extra expenses of your trip and providing you with economical deals that you wouldn't be able to locate anywhere on the Internet.

By Adam Jaylin.

hotels