Are travel agents becoming obsolete?
April 26th 2008 07:21
Category: No Category
Just as I was writing the last post about researching into cheaper ways to fly, it occured to me. I was doing all the pricing, the seating, and booking and the comparison all by myself online, that I am capable of organising my entire trip, whether it be a short family visit or a long extended world travel, I didn't need to ask someone about options, I didn't need someone to tell me where is good and where is bad.
I didn't need a travel agent.
So it struck me - are travel agents becoming obsolete? I am just about to go on my final interview in the hope to become a travel agent - is that a bad move on my part?
Think about it. We used to use travel agents because they used to be the only ones with access to airline pricing, ferries and cruise deals as well as holiday packages. We go to them to find out more about a destination, about the different activities we can do once we get there, and most important of all, we get to book it all in one transaction.
But with the booming of the internet and online shopping getting safer and faster, do we need travel agents anymore?
These days we can hop online and compare and book all our flights, car hires, hotel rooms and even holiday packages. With more and more people writing and blogging online, we can access better and more recent information on destinations as well as book any activities and side trips as we go. Instead of talking to travel agents, we can easily connect ourselves with locals that are willing to give more advice through travel social websites and have all this done just at our finger tips without leaving the house.
I personally haven't been into a travel agency for about two - three years now. Every trip I take have been booked online. However apparently travel agents are needed. How do I know? Because I asked this exact same question at my last interview with Flight Centre. When my interviewer asked me if I had any questions, I asked with all these online booking capabilities, does she think travel agents are losing sales and not making enough for their targets?
Well apparently, most of the sales at Flight Centre are not made by walk ins. They are made over the phone or email, from businesses and individuals that are simply too busy to organise their own trips, and hope to have someone to have it all done for them. "Having a travel agent means they didn't need to spend two hours trying to find the deals and the information they need" - I was told.
Here is another article supporting the need for travel agents -> The future of travel agents set - for now. (Sydney Morning Herald)
So there is the two sides of the story. What do you think?
(Image source: cartoonstock.com)
I didn't need a travel agent.
So it struck me - are travel agents becoming obsolete? I am just about to go on my final interview in the hope to become a travel agent - is that a bad move on my part?
Think about it. We used to use travel agents because they used to be the only ones with access to airline pricing, ferries and cruise deals as well as holiday packages. We go to them to find out more about a destination, about the different activities we can do once we get there, and most important of all, we get to book it all in one transaction.
But with the booming of the internet and online shopping getting safer and faster, do we need travel agents anymore?
These days we can hop online and compare and book all our flights, car hires, hotel rooms and even holiday packages. With more and more people writing and blogging online, we can access better and more recent information on destinations as well as book any activities and side trips as we go. Instead of talking to travel agents, we can easily connect ourselves with locals that are willing to give more advice through travel social websites and have all this done just at our finger tips without leaving the house.
I personally haven't been into a travel agency for about two - three years now. Every trip I take have been booked online. However apparently travel agents are needed. How do I know? Because I asked this exact same question at my last interview with Flight Centre. When my interviewer asked me if I had any questions, I asked with all these online booking capabilities, does she think travel agents are losing sales and not making enough for their targets?
Well apparently, most of the sales at Flight Centre are not made by walk ins. They are made over the phone or email, from businesses and individuals that are simply too busy to organise their own trips, and hope to have someone to have it all done for them. "Having a travel agent means they didn't need to spend two hours trying to find the deals and the information they need" - I was told.
Here is another article supporting the need for travel agents -> The future of travel agents set - for now. (Sydney Morning Herald)
So there is the two sides of the story. What do you think?
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Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
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Padsoc
I usually go through travel agents because trying to arrange stop-overs is very difficult when you're booking online. Usually the option isn't there, so the only way to ensure you get the flights you want is to talk to a travel agent. Also, as I am a student I usually find the cheapest fare I can, then ask the ppl at Student Flights to find a cheaper fare for me (they have a guarantee).
Comment by AmyHuang
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Comment by MelissaA
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It all depends on timing and how quickly you want things done I find.
When we went to Europe, I planned the whole thing out online, because we knew well in advance we were going and had the time to work it out.
When we went to Edinburgh however, (and we only live 4 hours drive away), we had the travel agent do it as we only had about 2 weeks left before we went.
Other friends of mine that use the same travel agent I know do the same thing - sometimes they do it other times it's easier to have it all done for you.
Comment by AmyHuang
Sydney Table
Project Job Search
Travel Debate
Travel String
Love Adventures
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts