Travel Agents Still the Go-to Persons

Technology and the Internet may have made traveling much easier, but holidaymakers still prefer the face-to-face advice of a professional travel operator when planning their future vacation, according to the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).

According to a recent ASTA report, business for US-based travel agents hasn’t been better, with more than half of all agents reporting an increase in the number of clients, transactions and revenue in 2014,compared to 2013, and profits set to grow by 12 percent in 2015.

ASTA cites the following reasons that prompt customers into preferring travel agents instead of the plethora of online options: accountability, knowhow, insight to secure value for money, clear cut itinerary planning, tips on saving money and budgeting, insurance coverage, cast array of resources, exclusivity and attention to specific needs, time saving and leverage through their networks.

According to the report, these 10 points still give travel agents an advantage over online booking operators… in short, they offer hassle-free planning at the best price in the shortest time.