| In this age of technology and "dot-com" travel | | | | the disappointment when they arrive and discover |
| agencies, people may question the need for a travel | | | | their "Ocean view" is completely obstructed by a |
| agent. But ASTA (the American Society of Travel | | | | lifeboat!3. Customer Advocacy: If you encounter |
| Agents) created a new slogan that succinctly | | | | problems with any part of your travel experience, a |
| describes the answer to this question. The slogan, | | | | travel consultant is there to advocate for you. I once |
| "Without a Travel Agent, You're On Your Own," is | | | | had clients try to check in to their Cancun Resort, |
| even more true today. Agents, also known as | | | | only to be told that the resort had overbooked and |
| consultants or specialists, work on behalf of their | | | | they would have to be accommodated at a "nearby" |
| clients. Just think, when you book online, exactly who | | | | property. In the end, the resort was able to find an |
| are you going to call when you realize your "Room | | | | available room. Because of such an unpleasant start |
| with a View" actually means "Room with a View of | | | | to their vacation, owever, I advocated strongly on |
| the Dumpster that gets emptied at 3:00 AM every | | | | behalf of my clients. This included numerous phone |
| night?"There are many compelling reasons to utilize | | | | calls and emails, but in the end, I was able to obtain a |
| the services of a travel agent, also known as a | | | | $500.00 voucher for my clients to use worldwide, at |
| consultant or specialist. And contrary to popular belief, | | | | many different resorts, not just this specific chain. |
| these services are often completely free! Let's | | | | Try and get that response with an Internet |
| explore some benefits of partnering with a travel | | | | booking!4. Time: With the wealth of information |
| agent.1. Personalized Service: A good travel consultant | | | | available online, you could spend hours in front of |
| is someone who takes the time to listen to exactly | | | | your computer searching for that perfect getaway. |
| what it is you want. But it is not only what you "say" | | | | And unless you have booked this trip on your own a |
| you want. In the process of working together, the | | | | hundred times before, utilizing the knowledge and |
| agent should also hbe able to understand the | | | | expertise of a travel specialist is a far better choice. |
| experience you are searching for. Service could also | | | | It will also save you hours of work and perhaps help |
| take the form of a thoughtful thank-you note, or a | | | | you avoid making a costly mistake.5. Unbiased |
| surprise cake on your cruise to celebrate an | | | | Information: Agents work for their clients, not for |
| important event, or even the gift of a personalized | | | | any travel supplier. Because of this, they are not tied |
| photo album. No matter how advanced technology | | | | to any one source. Instead, they can search many |
| becomes, the Internet will never be able to provide | | | | different suppliers for the best value. And don't |
| this level of personalized service.2. Expert Guidance: | | | | forget, value doesn't always mean "the cheapest |
| Travel agents are able to provide valuable advice and | | | | deal."Deena Gainor is the owner of a Homebased |
| expert guidance because they deal with travel every | | | | Travel Agency, Global Getaways International Travel |
| day. Additionally, a great agent also networks with | | | | Consultants. She is an Accredited Cruise Counsellor, a |
| other agents, benefiting from their experiences and | | | | Cancun Specialist, a Certified Sandals Specialist, and a |
| expertise. What a shame for the clients who have | | | | Holland America 5-Star Agent. To find out more |
| always wanted to take a romantic cruise and decided | | | | about Global Getaways and the amazing destinations, |
| to book a beautiful ocean view stateroom online. It | | | | cruises, villas, and resorts offered, please visit Global |
| sounded perfect on the Internet, however, imagine | | | | Getaways. |