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.

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Employee Discount Travel

Everyone loves to travel, but many can't afford to. That's why it is nice when companies have a program that allows for discount travel. Employee discount travel is part of a growing trend that allows anyone who is employed at a company who participates in the employee discount travel program to go on an affordable and enjoyable trip as an individual or with family.

Employee discount travel is a part of the fringe benefits that are offered to employees by their company A company works with different travel agencies and gets special deals in return that employees can benefit from. In other words, if a company handles all corporate travel through a certain travel agency; in return; the travel agency will give certain discounts to the company's employees.

If you actually work for a travel agency, the benefits of employee discount travel are even greater. In this case, the company may even reimburse the expenses related to travel borne by the employee like hotel accommodation, food and intercity travel. Many companies also reimburse the cost of international calls made by the employee to clients on the trip for official purposes. If the employee is on a long travel program, companies are ready to provide him with discount coupons to supermarkets and eateries that would make his travel more economical.

Not to forget the contribution and the policies of the airline and railway industries, that offer their employee and their family members free air and rail tickets to travel any where in the world. Moreover, the railway employees are offered first class tickets not only for them but also their dependant family members.

To help the company provide employee discount travel facility; there are many other companies that serve as agents. They carefully select those companies that would like to forward discounts and travel related services and gain popularity and match them with companies who want to offer employ discount travel.

Employee discount travel is a facility used by a company to retain talented employees.

By Kevin Stith.

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