I AM NOT A ROBOT! It's BETTER to deal with a HUMAN.

I have been working in the travel industry for more than 12 years and I have seen many changes. Many said that, in the future, there will be jobs that will not exist anymore due to the advance technology we have. Some companies are willing to pay more for a one time installation VRU (Voice Response Unit) than to pay an employee regularly on a monthly basis who assists the customers on their queries. Especially in the travel industry, people can book their vacation online. From flights, transfers, hotels and tours. But for me, it's not a strong basis for us not to need the help of travel agencies. I've asked a few of my friends and frequent travelers regarding this matter. And honestly, not because I work in a travel agency, I would be bias about it but most of them came up with the following GOOD and VALID reasons why dealing with a real human is more convenient when it comes to planning their travel-

VACATION TIME ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN BEFORE, SO SAVE TIME! TRAVEL AGENTS ARE THERE TO RESCUE!

Nothing is worse than saving up vacation time and money only to have a disastrous experience that does not refresh you. Agents do the work so that all you have to do is show up at the airport and relax into your vacation, without worrying about whether the hotel will have your reservation when you show up!

EVEN THOUGH HOW MUCH YOU WANTED TO TRAVEL (LEISURE / BUSINESS), IT CAN BE VERY COMPLICATED ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING IN BIG GROUPS.

Travel agents are experts at managing different and complicated itineraries, and they can take on the trip planning role for you.

TRAVEL AGENTS ARE EQUIPPED TO AN EVER CHANGING WORLD. WE CAN EASILY ADJUST.

Remember that the only thing that is constant in this world is CHANGE. Travel agents don’t just sell vacations-they continually research and stay up to date with events in every destination.

TRAVEL AGENTS SAVE YOU TIME AND STRESS.

It’s definitely fun to read about destinations and get inspired on where to go, but when it comes to actually booking your trip the amount of information out there can be overwhelming. It is a travel agents job to stay up to date on all of this so they know everything from what dining options are available at resorts, to the size of room at hotels or cruise ships, and they are experts at navigating this information to find the best options for you. Travel agents are also well- traveled, and if they haven’t personally been to your destination chances are that one of their colleagues has and they can guide you to the hidden gems in a destination. Amazing , right?

TRAVEL AGENTS = VALUE FOR MONEY

With a few keystrokes, you can often find cheap travel deals on the web. But travel agents, believe it or not, have access to industry information often unavailable to you to get better deals through their direct communication with airlines, cruise lines and hotels. 

Many people think that booking with a travel agent is more expensive, when it fact it generally costs the same as it does online but with the service of a real person.

In some cases there may be a booking fee applied that covers the agents time researching your options, putting together your entire trip and the service provided from the moment you book until you arrive back home, including any unforeseen assistance you may require before, during and even after your trip. Plus there are often additional advantages to booking with a travel agent, like being able to book your trip with a small deposit and not having to pay the balance until a later date, or having an agent put your airline ticket on hold and lock-in the price until the end of the day providing you the time to review your options or coordinate with your travel companions. = EXACTLY!

TRAVEL AGENTS KNOW WHERE YOU SHOULD GO AND SHOULDN'T GO! - MAKES YOU WORRY-FREE.

Agents can be instrumental in helping to decipher what destinations are accessible and when, and they feel a huge responsibility to re-assure, explain, and assist their clients in making the best possible choices.

TRAVEL AGENTS CAN OFFER YOU UNIQUE EXPERIENCES THAT YOU CAN'T BOOK ALONE ONLINE.

Travel agents often specialize in destinations or niches such as Special Needs Travel, or Disney Cruises. They know their subject inside out, and rather than simply booking a room and a flight for you, they can talk you through options that you might not even have known existed. You want to plan an unforgettable wedding proposal in the middle of the Safari in Kenya or with all hot air balloons in Cappadocia? The travel agents can arrange that for you.

TRAVEL AGENTS ARE EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD

Just like you would consult with a lawyer on legal matters, or ask an accountant about your taxes, or visit a doctor for your health needs, TRAVEL AGENTS act as professional advisers in their field. Travel agents know which hotel rooms have the best view, what entry visas you need for which country, that you should renew your passport 6 months before it expires. They can recommend an interesting destination you've never considered, which ship excursions you should do, and they can give you a chance to get off the beaten track and see something that's uniquely important to you.

LASTLY, WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT..I am not a ROBOT!

IT'S BETTER TO DEAL WITH HUMAN.

Travel agents treat you like a person, not a booking number. They want to make sure that you have a perfect trip, and nothing makes an agent happier than hearing from clients when they return from their fabulous holiday and knowing that they helped them. Because of this, travel agents are with you every step of your trip, before, during and after, triple checking that your reservations are correct before you depart, on-hand to make sure that everything goes smoothly throughout, and there for you afterwards in the case of any hassles.

So for smooth and time-saving planning for your travel this year, contact a travel agent rather than planning it by yourself. It's better to feel to have a hassle-free vacation!

Thank you uniglobecarefreetravel.com for some excerpts, photo owners and friends who are frequent travelers who helped me come up with this article.