For years friends and acquaintances have asked me – with a sympathetic tilt of the head – “How’s the travel agency business doing? Don’t most people just research travel on the internet now?” Then as we continue to chat, they invariably ask for recommendations for their next vacation. “We’re thinking about Italy next summer. What’s your favorite city there?” Or, “Do I need a visa to go to Chile?” Or, “How many days do you think we should plan to spend in New Zealand?” Hmm, sounds like people still need travel agents!

How to Research Travel with a Travel Agent

The fact is a professional travel agent provides information and insight that saves hours, even days, of DIY research. We know the difference between the convenience of a city center hotel and a less expensive one on the outskirts of town. We know the dates of government holidays and help plan around closures that will affect your holiday. We know which countries require mandatory car rental or medical insurance so you don’t get stuck with an unexpected bill or fine upon arrival. We research travel every day, so we are aware of small details that may never occur to the traveler. We also have vast resources and networks of contacts that are simply not available to the individual traveler.

That’s not to say we object to travelers using the internet. On the contrary, travelers who have done some homework and have a vision of what their vacation will look like have already positioned themselves to make the most of our skills and expertise. A professional travel agent will research along with you, steer you away from obstacles and discuss options along the way. More than selling travel, a professional travel agent helps people research travel and buy wisely.

A Real-Life Example of Working Together

Recently, an experienced traveler wanted to go to Bangkok and through his own research found airfare for $1,530. He then called his Covington advisor to tell her what he had in mind and gave her the flight information he’d found. She went to work and very shortly came up with a package that included both air and hotel for $1,460 – more included for less money. The package was through a trusted tour operator, so our client could be confident of the quality of the arrangements. Plus, through Covington’s professional relationship with the supplier, the agent secured a room upgrade at the hotel at no cost to the client. To complete the client’s Bangkok experience, the agent recommended some must-see sightseeing: the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) at the Grand Palace complex and dining on a luxurious, restored teakwood rice barge to see the riverside temples lit up in all their glory.

Could he have arranged this trip alone? Probably. Would he have found the lower cost package or found out about interesting sightseeing? With enough time invested, maybe. Would he have gotten a complimentary upgrade at the hotel? Not likely. By using a professional travel agent, he saved time and money, plus got added value.

So for years, in answer to that veiled concern from acquaintances that all travel agents are destined for unemployment, I honestly answer, “Business is great. Sure, people use the internet to research travel, but they also want and need travel agents to help plan their trips. We work together using their travel research and our professional knowledge, resources and connections to tailor a vacation that is personalized and logistically sound.”

Let us help you research travel and give your next trip that special touch that you only get from a professional travel advisor. Upgrade your travel experience. Upgrade to Covington.