What is a Travel Consultant?
What is a Travel Consultant? Many consumers do not understand what a Travel Consultant is or how a Travel Consultant makes a living. There is a misunderstanding that it costs the consumer more to use a Travel Consultant or by using one you pay higher prices to compensate them for their knowledge and time. When the reality is - an experienced Travel Consultant will save you time, headache and money.
At one time a travel consultant's slogan was "Travel Agents do it for Free". This is still true with the exception of airline reservations. After the airlines cut commissions, travel agencies now charge reservation and ticketing service fees. This fee can vary by region. For this fee you get assistance before, during and after your trip. Most travel agencies provide a 24/7 Emergency Hot line on your ticket invoice in the event you are traveling after hours, in case you have the need for travel assistance in an emergency situation. In today's travel world with so many cancellations and delays this is PRICELESS.
When it comes to the Internet the consumer can invest a great deal of time researching and checking the unlimited travel options there are for just one destination. If your billable time is worth say $ 100 an hour and you spend 10 hours researching the numerous travel options available, you have already invested $1000 (of your time) and may or may not have purchased a vacation. Once your traveling, should you experience travel problems and we all know problems occur everyday in the vast world of travel, WE ARE YOUR ADVOCATE! Travel Consultants have contacts and valued relationships, we fight on your behalf and get compensation when compensation is warranted. Experienced Travel Consultants have networks, we can VIP. The Internet can not.
Depending on the amount of research needed some Leisure Travel Consultants charge a set amount "Plan To Go Fee". This fee is REFUNDED to the traveler at the time of final payment or some Consultants will apply it to the final balance due. This fee is ONLY RETAINED if the consumer does not book the trip, to cover the consultants time invested. Each Travel Agency will have their own fee structure. Always ask for clarification if you feel you are not sure of what their service fee includes.
A Travel Consultant makes their money from the vendor (travel supplier), not the consumer. The vendor pays a commission to the Consultant/Agency to deal directly with the consumer. Travel Agency/Consultant's prices are not inflated to compensate us for our work. Vendor's cannot offer one agent a better price then the other unless there is group volume and negotiations can lower the price if a groups volume meets their requirement. The best way to describe a Travel Consultant's role is that of a Travel Broker. We first interview you for your travel style, desired destination, consultant on destination seasons, advise you of needed travel documents such as passports required, provide the research and recommendations for products based on your interview and budget. Once a package has been decided upon, the consultant will handle the payment and provide the final travel documents and itineraries prior to your departure. Along with your documents, an experienced Travel Consultant will also provide detailed general information about your destination. An experienced Travel Consultant can arrange private excursions or tours, they can make dining recommendations and many times they can provide first hand EXPERIENCE.
Travel Agents/Consultants can be like Real Estate Agents, there are many - but the secret is to find one that is experienced, friendly and knowledgeable in all aspects of travel. Personal Travel Consultants are just like Personal Trainers or Personal Shoppers. I pride myself on being a Personal Travel Consultant. Over the last 27 years I have built my career and I have many lovely friends that trust me to handle their travel arrangements.
At one time a travel consultant's slogan was "Travel Agents do it for Free". This is still true with the exception of airline reservations. After the airlines cut commissions, travel agencies now charge reservation and ticketing service fees. This fee can vary by region. For this fee you get assistance before, during and after your trip. Most travel agencies provide a 24/7 Emergency Hot line on your ticket invoice in the event you are traveling after hours, in case you have the need for travel assistance in an emergency situation. In today's travel world with so many cancellations and delays this is PRICELESS.
When it comes to the Internet the consumer can invest a great deal of time researching and checking the unlimited travel options there are for just one destination. If your billable time is worth say $ 100 an hour and you spend 10 hours researching the numerous travel options available, you have already invested $1000 (of your time) and may or may not have purchased a vacation. Once your traveling, should you experience travel problems and we all know problems occur everyday in the vast world of travel, WE ARE YOUR ADVOCATE! Travel Consultants have contacts and valued relationships, we fight on your behalf and get compensation when compensation is warranted. Experienced Travel Consultants have networks, we can VIP. The Internet can not.
Depending on the amount of research needed some Leisure Travel Consultants charge a set amount "Plan To Go Fee". This fee is REFUNDED to the traveler at the time of final payment or some Consultants will apply it to the final balance due. This fee is ONLY RETAINED if the consumer does not book the trip, to cover the consultants time invested. Each Travel Agency will have their own fee structure. Always ask for clarification if you feel you are not sure of what their service fee includes.
A Travel Consultant makes their money from the vendor (travel supplier), not the consumer. The vendor pays a commission to the Consultant/Agency to deal directly with the consumer. Travel Agency/Consultant's prices are not inflated to compensate us for our work. Vendor's cannot offer one agent a better price then the other unless there is group volume and negotiations can lower the price if a groups volume meets their requirement. The best way to describe a Travel Consultant's role is that of a Travel Broker. We first interview you for your travel style, desired destination, consultant on destination seasons, advise you of needed travel documents such as passports required, provide the research and recommendations for products based on your interview and budget. Once a package has been decided upon, the consultant will handle the payment and provide the final travel documents and itineraries prior to your departure. Along with your documents, an experienced Travel Consultant will also provide detailed general information about your destination. An experienced Travel Consultant can arrange private excursions or tours, they can make dining recommendations and many times they can provide first hand EXPERIENCE.
Travel Agents/Consultants can be like Real Estate Agents, there are many - but the secret is to find one that is experienced, friendly and knowledgeable in all aspects of travel. Personal Travel Consultants are just like Personal Trainers or Personal Shoppers. I pride myself on being a Personal Travel Consultant. Over the last 27 years I have built my career and I have many lovely friends that trust me to handle their travel arrangements.
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