“Accepting help is its own kind of strength” ~Kiera Cass
When we can travel again…
The time will come that we are able to exit our current socially distanced lifestyle and we can plan our next travels. In the time being stay safe, stay home, stay healthy and keep adding to your travel bucket lists!
If you recently were one of hundreds of thousands of people who recently had to recently cancel or delay your vacation due to worldwide COVID-19 induced travel bans, you may have understood the value of accepting the assistance of a Travel Agent.
To the left is a selfie I recently took while fitting in a quick workout while on hold for hours with a travel supplier for an answer to one simple yet specific question for my client. Happy to have found my client his answer I was also proud to have made use of my time on hold to fit in a quick workout, albeit to the hideous “on hold” music!
Top 10 reasons you may want to consider using a TA for your next adventure abroad (whenever that may be…)
One quick FYI: Travel Agent = Travel Advisor=TA: we are all the same, just recently have been using Travel Advisor more frequently recently
#1 It is incredibly personal.
A good TA will be one that listens exactly to what you want, and what your ideal vacation. In doing so, your TA will also become your friend you can trust. Perhaps you do not know exactly what you want? Your TA may conger up some enticing ideas personally formulated from past clients, friends, or experiences themselves. To the contrary, perhaps you know exactly what you want and just want the best possibly price, your TA will listen to that also. Remember your TA lives, eats and breathes travel.
#2 The inside scoop.
TA’s have the inside scoop. They consistently develop relationship with business district managers of our suppliers who have a great deal of authority with staff. Your TA may not know every supplier manager, but they do develop relationships with their bosses!
#3 Save money
Pricing in the world of travel is a complicated orchestra of moving parts. With constant exposure to the industry and up-to-date information from the suppliers, TA’s often have the inside scoop on the “best time” to book your travel. Almost all TA’s work entirely on commission. With the exception of airlines, almost all travel suppliers provide some sort of commission to the “booking engine” (that booking engine could be a computer engine like Expedia or Hotels.com, or even better it can be your friendly TA! Instead of phoning a 1-800 number and talking with a supplier agent who is foreign to your unique desires, your TA is available to help you personally. To boot, the cost of your vacation is almost always the same (if not less) when using a TA.
#4 Perks
TA’s are usually a part of a host agency or consortium who negotiate with travel suppliers from a position of power in your interest. This can result with extra perks for you and also for larger groups of travellers.
#5 Save your precious time
Your time is precious, especially your time spent traveling. TA’s do specific training and deeply educate themselves (and often experience, themselves) travel products for your benefit. If you are anything like me, researching your travel is half the fun, so don’t let that interfere, but your next TA may offer some interesting insight that could lead your next vacation in the direction you really want. TA’s are also the ones who get to listen to the dreadful “on-hold-phone-music “, not you! No word of a lie, I found myself humming one of the many “on-hold” songs the shower other day…
#6 Resource hub
Remember, travel agents live, eat and breathe travel. Many TA’s chose to specialize in one aspect of travel but may still be able to help you with others. Though no one TA is an expert in everything they are to the forefront of socio-economical and intergovernmental trends with everything travel related.
Especially at this unprecedented time, moving forward after the world sources how we will proceed with this current pandemic, TA’s will be of the first to be educated on up-to-date resources with your health and safety at the forefront.
#7 Travel insurance
TICO (Travel Industry Council Certified) TA’s such as myself here in Ontario, Canada are permitted to help provide you with travel insurance and are educated on the vast variety of products available out there. Moving ahead once this current situation with Coronovirus eventually settles, understanding what your medical and trip cancellation coverage will be a fundamental component of your travel planning.
#8 Peace of mind
In the event something should go awry before or during your vacation, your TA has your back. They will be the one to do their best to help you get home safely or direct your travels where you need to be.
Peace of mind is also significant with regards to pricing. Once you place your deposit on your trip, your TA will keep their eye out for pricing changes and notify you should you be eligible for a price drop. This is often the case if your travel is booked well ahead of time.
#9 Small business support
Your local travel agent, like myself, is quite likely and independent contractor that works under a host agency, in essence operating as a small business, and work purely on commission. Do you like to guide your personal purchases towards small business owners? Perhaps take this into consideration when planning your next vacation.
#10 I am right here!
You knew this one was coming, don’t hesitate to contact me anytime for any travel related inquiries, or if you just want to say hi!
