If you’re tired of comparing the ever-growing number of booking sites and don’t want to add travel planning to your to-do list, we have good news: you don’t have to.
Summary
Why choose a travel agency?
Travel agencies may seem like a throwback to the pre-internet era, but they still exist and the industry has grown over the past five years. Many independent travel companies specialize in specific destinations (like Ireland or Israel) or types of travel (like cruises or honeymoons).
To find out what professional travel agencies offer that you can’t get from a booking site, we spoke with two travel agencies, one a large chain and the other a local business. In addition to saving you time and hassle, travel agents can save you money on travel bookings and excursions. They also offer a personal travel experience of a lifetime, which informs their recommendations.
What you need to know about booking vacation travel
First, we asked how travel agents and their customers approach vacation travel. Pierre Miret, area manager and travel advisor says holidays are “a peak time for travel which means the price reflects demand and space quickly becomes limited”.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s too late to book a Christmas or New Year’s trip. « As long as the traveler is open to destinations that still have space, they have time, » says Mr. Miret, explaining that « consultants use air alerts, last-minute partner space and a network of contacts » to respond to last-minute requests.
Travel during holidays is more expensive than at other times of the year. If vacation travel isn’t in your plans or budget, it’s not too early to start thinking about next year.
Agencies recommend booking in advance when it comes to vacation travel. As a general rule, it is recommended to do it at least six months before the departure date.
Also Read: 4 Smart Ways to Split Bills with Friends While Traveling Abroad
Popular vacation destinations
If you want to travel for the holidays, what are the fashionable destinations this year?
European cities like « Barcelona, Lisbon, Paris and Amsterdam are destinations where the customer can party without having to take a whole week off.
London, Paris, Greece and Morocco are currently very popular destinations
Benefits of working with a travel agency
As we always say, you will never get from the internet what you will get from a travel agent. The human touch and expertise are invaluable, especially when planning something as important as a vacation.
Travel counselors have access to the most up-to-date information. Not to mention that they have first-hand knowledge of most destinations and resorts.
Also Read: The Best Travel Apps of 2019
