| In this day of online trip booking and lowest price | | | | 6. What questions is the agent asking me? |
| airfare searches, do you still need a travel agent? | | | | One of the most important qualifications for a travel |
| According to the ASTA (American Society of Travel | | | | agent is an awareness of and sensitivity to your |
| Agents) and most travelers, the answer is a | | | | needs. The agent you're working with should be full |
| resounding yes. Travel agents still book nearly 90% | | | | of questions aimed at learning as much as possible |
| of all cruises and over 80% of all tours and packages. | | | | about your needs. A good travel agent will be |
| A consumer-conscious travel agent will work hard to | | | | focused on you and your needs, not just on the |
| find you the best possible combination of price and | | | | products they are selling you. |
| features to make your tour a dream vacation. Here | | | | 7. Do you have any specialist knowledge? |
| are some questions to ask that will help you evaluate | | | | Some agencies and agents specialize in a particular |
| travel agents and be sure that you find the best one | | | | type of trip. If you have special needs or are seeking |
| for your booking and travel needs. | | | | a unique type of vacation - like the new and very |
| 1. Do you know a good travel agent? | | | | popular eco-tours - you may do far better with an |
| Yes, start by asking around. A good travel agent will | | | | agent who is experienced in that special field. Other |
| build a good reputation. If you have friends and | | | | specialties may include booking tours and trips for |
| associates who travel often, ask them for their | | | | people with limitations and/or disabilities, booking |
| recommendations. Those will be a good starting point | | | | adventure tours, or booking trips to a specific |
| for your own search. | | | | destination. |
| 2. How long have you been doing this? | | | | 8. How do you find me the best deals? |
| Look for an agent that has been in business for five | | | | You can ask more specific questions, but you're really |
| years or longer. While length of time in business is no | | | | trying to find out how well-connected your travel |
| guarantee of commitment or knowledge, experience | | | | agent is within the industry, and how current they |
| is a great teacher. | | | | are with the latest technologies and developments. |
| 3. What are your qualifications as a travel agent? | | | | You're looking for answers like, "we have preferred |
| There are a number of professional training courses | | | | supplier arrangements with these travel companies" |
| that your agent may have taken. The highest | | | | and "I subscribe to these databases of travel offers" |
| certification for a travel agent is a Certified Travel | | | | - answers that make it clear your travel agent uses |
| Consultant, which requires five years of full time | | | | all the resources available to find you the best |
| travel industry experience and the completion of | | | | possible trip. |
| twelve courses. Other certificates include Certified | | | | 9. What will happen if I have an overseas emergency |
| Travel Associate, and Destination Specialist. While it is | | | | while your agency is closed? |
| not necessary for a travel agent to hold any of | | | | Your travel agent can and should be your strongest |
| these qualifications, they do provide proof of | | | | advocate before, during and after your trip. Being |
| commitment and knowledge in the industry. | | | | able to contact your agency during their off hours |
| 4. Are you affiliated with an agency? | | | | can mean the difference between sitting in a hotel |
| On the other hand, even a younger, newer agent | | | | lobby waiting until the office reopens. The answer |
| who is affiliated with an established agency has | | | | you want is: "There is always an agent on call to |
| access to the resources and information of the entire | | | | resolve problems that might arise even when we're |
| agency. That's not to say that outside agents - | | | | closed." |
| those who work outside an agency - are not as | | | | 10. Do I like this person and feel comfortable with |
| good. An outside agent has the advantage of | | | | them? |
| flexibility in booking trips that are not part of their | | | | While it's not necessary to like someone in order to |
| agency's offered products. | | | | do business with them, it's a very good gauge of |
| 5. Are you affiliated with any professional | | | | how well they're relating to you. You'll get the best |
| organizations? | | | | service and vacation experience from a travel agent |
| U.S. travel agents are not generally regulated or held | | | | who is focused on you, your companions and helping |
| to uniform standards, but there are two major | | | | you arrange the vacation of a lifetime. After all, a |
| professional bodies to which they may belong, the | | | | good agent isn't looking for a sale - they're looking |
| American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and the | | | | for a long-term relationship. |
| Association of Retail Travel Agents (ARTA). | | | | |