Travel specialists must learn to differentiate themselves from the hundreds or thousands of other travel agencies. One way to do this is by specializing in the type of travel they want to sell.
For example, a destination specialist for your honeymoon in Africa can create bespoke itineraries beyond the usual tourist attractions. Meanwhile, a corporate travel agent focuses on efficiency and policy compliance.
Travel Specialists Know Your Needs
Travel agents spend much time interacting with clients in person, over the phone, and via email. This requires them to be strong verbal and written communicators and empathetic to their client’s needs.
They must also know what destinations, hotels, attractions, and activities align with their clients’ interests. Many travel agents are well-traveled, making it their business to visit the places they recommend to their clients. This first-hand experience gives them the ability to make recommendations that are unique to each client.
Travel agents also stay on top of industry trends and developments by reading travel publications, following social media influencers, and attending conferences. This allows them to provide their clients with the latest advice on popular travel destinations, hidden gems, and experiences they might need help finding independently. This also helps them create a loyal customer base. This is a crucial factor for a successful travel agency business.
Travel Agents Know the Industry
Travel specialists are highly knowledgeable about the industry and how different destinations, accommodations, products, and services work together. They also have strong relationships with vendors and can negotiate a better price on your behalf.
They are also highly organized, capable of handling a high volume of booking information, and have excellent problem-solving skills. They can quickly and efficiently handle issues while keeping their clients happy.
The travel industry continues to evolve rapidly, and brands must invest in the technologies to help them meet customers’ evolving expectations. To do so, they must balance human-to-human interaction with scaled-up technology services. The right mix will help them capture anticipated growth and keep their customers engaged and loyal.
They Can Save You Money
Travel agents aren’t just booking your flights, hotels, and tours; they can also save you money by bundling flights, arranging group bookings, or using their travel agents to get discounts or VIP experiences. Plus, they can help you save time by handling all the details of your trip, so you don’t have to spend hours on Google researching destinations, comparing prices, or calling customer service.
Many travel agents focus on specific destinations or trip styles and have relationships with the locals that they can leverage on your behalf, getting you things like a room upgrade or discounted rates. For example, suppose you’re planning a luxury safari for your next vacation. In that case, you can trust that a destination expert can curate an itinerary full of authentic experiences and accommodations that fit within your budget.
Plus, travel advisors can use their industry connections to find solutions when unexpected issues arise. That means you can avoid spending valuable time listening to Kenny G’s Greatest Hits on a customer service line and still have a stress-free vacation.
They Can Make Your Trip Unique
Whether helping clients find unique hotels, planning special excursions, or booking one-of-a-kind cultural experiences, travel specialists add value to every trip they plan. Many people have a “been there, done that” mentality regarding destinations they’ve visited before, but a good travel agent can often make them realize what they might have missed the last time.
In addition to creating and executing itineraries, travel agents are also well-versed in dealing with any issues that may arise during a vacation.
To stand out from the competition, travel agencies should consider establishing a niche and marketing themselves as specialists. This could include a specific type of trip, such as honeymoons, or a particular style of travel, like eco-tourism.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.