Travelers find great value in travel agents for booking their leisure travel plans. Findings from the June 2005 study show that nearly 7 out of 10 U.S. adults (68%) are more comfortable booking travel plans through a travel agent. According to the poll, an advantage is when an agent asks questions to better understand a travelers needs and their willingness to help customize itineraries to best fit those needs. Whether it is the desire to visit multiple destinations, arrive and depart from different locations, or requiring special amenities at a hotel, travelers often have complex itineraries during a vacation. Forty-nine percent(49%) of U.S. adults found an agent's ability to book complex itineraries that are hard to book online as another driving factor in comfort level when working with an agent to plan a vacation. One of the perceived advantages for using a travel agent is that in a world where the traveler's needs are becoming more complex and diverse. Sixty-five percent (65%) of adults stated the ability to sit down in person with someone to discuss plans is a "must have" in booking a vacation. Additional services considered "must haves" for an agency, include the ability to book all your travel plans, including air, lodging, and car rental. 76% to access real-time flight and hotel information and seventy-six percent (73%) advanced knowledge about the various destinations. Source: Travel Weekly |
