When we talk about travel, we tend to focus on touring experiences. We often neglect those behind the scenes who work with individuals and groups to secure the best travel deals and make the experience hassle-free.
Travel agencies are set up to make travelling much easier for customers by eliminating all hassles attached to purchasing tickets, picking the affordable packages, etc. Although people are now using online platforms to search for travel-related information, buy tickets and travel packages, there are still opportunities for conventional travel agents who work in the field.
While there are thousands of online travel sites giving you the ability to book directly with almost any airline, hotel or other travel services, you may be tempted to think that travel agents may no longer be in business. However, reports and statistics indicate that the majority of travel cruises, packages and tours are sold by travel agents. Travel agencies are still in demand, and offer plenty of benefits when you are booking your vacation.
I recently interacted with the Management of Finchglow Travels, Nigeria’s number one indigenous travel management company that won the Best Travel Agency category in the 2019 Balearica / Nigeria Tourism Awards.
Here are some of the lessons I learned from them; and why you should make your bookings through a travel agency
It Saves Time and Money:
You can spend hours on the internet searching for the best travel deals and get results, while sometimes, it can result in frustration. When you work with a travel agent, they do that legwork, searching out the travel options that best meet your needs and budget. Arguably, travel agents have access to information about rates and routes that the average consumer may not have. This saves you time and money, even when you consider the agent’s fee. A travel agent can help you get you a great deal on a package or promotion. Agents receive privileged information and special access to promotions from resorts, cruise lines and other travel providers that aren’t available to the general public.
It eliminates stress:
Planning a trip can be stressful, running around to get things sorted out, making bookings and a list of places to explore, etc could be overwhelming. If you find the planning stressful and frustrating, you should enlist the aid of a travel agent. The travel agency will help you plan out your itinerary, thereby reducing stress.
Expert Recommendations:
Travel agents offer expert recommendations. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to go mountain hiking but you’re not sure which route is best for you or where you want to go. Maybe you want to take the kids skiing in Utah, but you’re having trouble navigating the endless array of ticket and package options.
A travel agent can help out. Finchglow Travels, a subsidiary of Finchglow Group specialize in planning the perfect international vacation packages and can help you secure the best rates in the most popular destinations.
They can recommendations and help you plan a trip that meets your needs and budget. Their inside knowledge will help you avoid wasting time and money on the things you’re not interested in, and lets you focus instead on your trip.
Perks:
This is one of the many reasons you should book with travel agents because they often have access to certain perks that you may not find on your own. Whether it’s a room upgrade or a fee waiver, travel agents often add great perks into your vacation plan.
Personalized services and availability:
Travel agents can make your trip a memorable one by tailoring their services to your individual needs and preferences. They plan a personalized itinerary that suits your travel preferences and improvise seamlessly to meet your needs. Let’s say your favourite musician is holding a concert in the city you are traveling to, your travel agent can give you VIP access, behind the scenes access and even arrange a meet-and-greet with your favourite celebrity.
Making your bookings and reservations with a travel agency offers so much value and perks that will make your travel experience worthwhile.
Here are photos from Finchglow Travels 2019 end of the year party, themed Nigeria to the World.
Okay! I have heard! But I don’t think I will employ the services of a travel agent again. The only place I’ll need their services is to Jerusalem. Here are some of my reasons:
1. My travel dates are usually fixed so I can’t play around with dates which the agent may suggest.
2. The two times I used a travel agent to book my vacation packages, it didn’t turn out so well. That’s is because those packages comes with a limited duration-for instance, you may visit a tourist site and within two hours, you are asked to wrap up so that another place can be visited. Meanwhile you haven’t even explored this place to your satisfaction. Everything just seems like a rush!
3. Timing-travel packages are controlled by the tour company. Sometimes I may just want to rest a bit but because you stand to lose out on that your, despite your tiredness, you have to jump up and join in the tour simply because you’ve already paid for it. That is stressful to me.
4. The few times I used a travel agent to book my ticket, I was encouraged that they usually have lower rates cos of the commission they tend to enjoy from the airlines. Probably in my first few years of traveling, that happened (not sure cos I wouldn’t also do my search) but in recent times, I have seen that the rates the agent gives me is the same rate I will get by booking on my own. So what’s the point?
5. I have been on a tour where certain things were promised and were not included eventually. And that was the last time I decided to do a tour with an agent.
So for now, I will book my tickets and travel tours on my own and travel at will.
Noted. Thanks for your contribution.
I received entry level training on making bookings on the GDS platform and can confirm that Travel agents may have access to cheaper fares (if available) than what you’d get when booking online.
Now, the word cheaper is relative, this difference may not be as enticing as you may prefer. Airlines are in business to make money and won’t drop their prices so low unless it’s a promo ticket which usually comes with certain restrictions.
Typically, if I’m not booking my ticket myself, I compare rates on all accessible platforms before I engage an agent.
The ones with integrity actually make travel hassle-free.
Okay…..
Oto, you are so right. I’ve booked my tickets with this travel agency in particular and their services were top notch
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
This Service is Good