Why You Need a Travel Agent! (Yes, We're Still a Thing... )

Bob Voyage Travel
Feb 10
3 min read

Updated: Apr 15

Are you booking your travel through a travel agent?

You should be! Here are some great reasons to take advantage of this special relationship:

Maximize the value for your money.

Travel agents work with larger travel networks and suppliers, who pay them commission to bring in business. Some travel agents charge booking and planning fees, but most make their living by that commission alone. The best part? You still pay the same price (or less - more on that below) as you would when booking directly.

BVT Tips

I do not charge any planning or booking fees - so my services are FREE to you!

Get access to special perks or promotions.

Since travel agents partner with larger networks (called Host Agencies or Consortia), individual agents work directly with travel suppliers to be able to offer perks and promotions throughout the year. These deals are NOT available to the general public and can only be applied by a travel agent.

BVT Tips

I'm a proud member of the Avoya Travel Network™, Travel Leaders Network®, the American Society of Travel Advisors® (ASTA), and the Cruise Lines International Association™ (CLIA) - so I have many options to get you the most value for your money!

Help small businesses.

Travel agencies are often individually or family owned, and most agents are very active in the communities they live in.

BVT Tips

Shop local! Owning my own business is a lifelong dream. Since opening my agency, I'm thrilled to be a small business in Orlando, close to theme parks and major cruise ports. Currently a team of one, I'm soon hoping to expand and hire local professionals.

Have someone to fix it when you yell "oh ship!"

When things go wrong at sea or with your reservation, whether it's prior to leaving, after you arrive at your destination, or even afterward - your agent can help you navigate the rough waters and get you moving again.

BVT Tips

I have access to travel agent customer service lines and an array of contacts, which allow me to fast-track and resolve any issue faster. These special, travel agent contacts allow me to easily "go to bat" for my clients, so they can enjoy their trips and vacations as stress-free as possible.

Tap into the knowledge of well-traveled agents.

Travel agents have a wealth of first-hand knowledge about the destinations, and they're excited to share that information and their love of knowledge with you. It's their job to help do the research, and they can easily condense your choices into what will work best for you and your budget.

BVT Tips

Because travel is my business, I'm up-to-date on all the latest news, travel restrictions, and which seasons are best for each destination.

Travel Agent or Travel Advisor? Which one is better?

There's been a recent shift in terminology towards "Advisor," but they're the same thing. I personally like using "Agent" because that term harkens back to the golden age of travel, but in truth, gone are the days of needing to go to a brick-and-mortar Travel Agency to buy your flights and vacation packages.

These days, I work out of my home office (or on the go), and I definitely don't have one of those vintage dot matrix printers where I can generate my own airline tickets. I actually spend a lot of my time helping my clients with whatever best assists them: perks I can offer, advice on destinations, personal experiences, or all of the above. I can be an Agent, or I could be an Advisor - that's entirely up to you.