by Wayne Ramsey

Created on: March 29, 2007   Last Updated: May 22, 2007

With the explosion of the internet and discount ticketers, travel agents are being given a run for their money. With increasingly new functionality and better technology, online companies are beginning to compete with traditional travel agents in ways that they never were able to before. Companies are beginning to offer up 360 degree views of hotels and the local area, small reports on the region, and much better customer service. With all this extra fluff, online companies are becoming even usable and competitive with traditional agents.

However, even with this heightened competition, travel agencies have found ways to differentiate themselves. Rather than focusing on a wide array of clients, the travel agent is focusing on the middle to upper class family or retired. By targeting these groups that require packages and personalized attention, travel agents are able to offer a one on one personal service that would be impossible for the online brokers to offer, especially in a cost efficient manner.

The reality is that while discount online companies are offering great deals, they are only swaying a select group of consumers. These consumers are just looking for a great price and don't care about the frills. These types of consumers for a travel agency would be a lot more work without as much return, because the agent wouldn't be able to talk them into any of the extras.

For those however that are looking for a package, need more information about an area, or need more flexibility and options, they are going to generally go to a travel agent. If they don't, then knows what they will ultimately end up with. This is why the travel agent will continue to survive. Having the ability to go and sit down with someone and go through every last detail of your trip ensuring that everything is perfect, is a great feeling. If you aren't doing this, then you'll wonder until your trip starts what you are getting yourself into.

Overall, I don't think that travel agents are going anywhere anytime soon. As long as there is a need for customization in travel arrangements there will be a healthy need for real people that can actually guide you through the process, rather than relying on a computer to do it for you.

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