The travel agent of today, and the future, is an agent of the consumer. To that end, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has devised a new slogan that states succinctly how travel agents help the consumer with their travel arrangements.
The slogan, “Without An ASTA Travel Agent, You’re On Your Own,” is true today more than ever. Agents act on their client’s behalf, but if you’ve booked through the Internet, who are you going to call when you discover your “room with a view” has a view of the dumpster?
There are a host of compelling reasons to use a travel professional: they are out to find the consumer the best rate available.
Convenient one-stop shopping: Agents are there to save you money as well as time.
Customer Advocacy: Did your flight get canceled? Did your resort fail to meet your expectations? Anytime an issue arises with part of your travel plans, they are there to act on your behalf to see the issue is fixed.
Expert Guidance: They are experts in distilling the mountain of travel information out there. What travel documents do you need for your trip? When is the best time to visit your destination? What cultural or societal differences do you need to know about? It’s enough to drive people crazy, but they make it easy!
Personalized Service: Instead of an impersonal voice a thousand miles away, they are your neighbors. They know what you want and what you value in your travel experience, and are willing to go to the extra mile for you.
Professional Advice: They are there to make sure you get where you want to go, when you want to go, and for the best possible price. If they haven’t already been to your destination ourselves, they know someone who has, and they will share that valuable first-hand knowledge with you.
Time: Instead of checking a long list of travel websites, which only provide rates and fares for the companies that have contracted with them, why not go straight to the source? Travel agents have all the information at their fingertips, saving you a few hours in front of a computer screen.
Unbiased Information: Travel professionals work for you, not for a travel supplier. They want you to be happy with your travel experience, and their recommendations are made with your best interests in mind.
