With the advent of the internet and self booking services, many people forecasted the end of the Travel Agency industry, saying that traditional bricks and mortar locations were going to die.
The industry did not die and, in certain segments, is now flourishing as travellers are looking for more bespoke, hard to find experiences, and want 24/7 human service – something that a website just cannot offer
Travel agents are even more important to luxury travelers, who ironically often think they know a lot about travel and rely on their own misguided sense of expertise. But while a good agent is so vital that it is simply foolish to plan a high-end trip on your own without one, they can also help travelers of all budgets.
There are 5 main reasons why Travel Agencies still excel:
- Emergencies – good travel agents are connected 24/7 for their clients
- Expertise – good travel agents know intimately what they are selling and can advise their clients on hotels, tours, timing and also advise of local customs and recommendations
- VIP Connections – good travel agents can find that difficult to find experience or confirm that super elusive room during peak season
- Extras – good travel agents are either part of global Consortia or can negotiate special extras for your holiday, whether it be an upgrade, breakfast or amenities on arrival to celebrate a special occasion
- Air – we all see the published airline rates on Online Travel Agencies or airline websites. However, well connected agencies have specially negotiated rates or can help you analyze the best options for a specific route
At Luxury Consult, we have be involved in the Travel Agency segment for decades and can help you setup, turnaround or optimize your travel agency. Some of the services we offer are:
- Strategic Planning and Direction
- Marketing & Branding
- Office Design
- Remote agency setup
- Full IT and Technology including CRM
- Sales Strategies
- Product Strategies
- Introduction to Consortia
- Introduction to Main Products
- Working with Third Party Packages
- Selling Speciality Products such as Cruises
- Operating Procedures
Offline travel agencies will thrive when they offer specialist product, services and personalized attention and expertise
