Why You Need a Travel Agent Now More Than Ever

As Australians are celebrating the reopening of international borders?and new travel bookings skyrocket, the?reality?is that travel has become more complicated than?ever before. Navigating travel plans seems to?be?getting?harder, with a whole world (literally) of varying testing, vaccination, and quarantine requirements.??

Throughout the pandemic,?travel agencies and companies like Flight Centre Travel Group’s?Independent?Division?have been working hard to assist travel agents, equipping them with the tools and information need?to?manage their clients’ travel arrangements?stress-free.??

Having?a travel agent is?now?more important than ever.?Here’s why.??

1.??They’re well equipped to manage complicated travel arrangements?

Travel agents are your key to the world. Since the pandemic began, the travel industry?has?faced many challenges and the way people travel?has changed for the foreseeable future. On top of the basic requirements?(valid passport,?visas?etc.), travellers now?must?comply with?new requirements such as vaccinations,?COVID-19?testing and?quarantine requirements, which can vary from country to country (or even state to state, as we see in Australia). This can be?very overwhelming when all you want to do is visit a family member or plan a holiday.??

FCTG’s?Independent Division?provides an array of support tools and resources for over 300+ independent travel agencies and mobile consultants across?all of?our brands. In Australia, that includes?Travel Partners, Travel Associates at Home and Flight Centre Independent.??

These tools?enable independent?travel agents to provide?up-to-the-minute, accurate information to?support their?clients’?travel planning and management. If that is not enough, agents?can?also?book pre-departure testing for you and?navigate?any road bumps or requirements you encounter throughout?your trip. Talk about stress-free.?

2.?They can deliver great cost savings and bonus value?

It is a big misconception that booking a trip by yourself is cheaper than booking through an agent. FCTG Independent?consultants across all brands have access to the largest range of air, hotel,?cruise?and activity product in Australia. Our booking systems?automatically?pull?the lowest rate?to ensure that clients get the most cost-effective option. The second priority of the system is to find the highest commission, so we’re looking after our consultants too.???

Not only do travel agents?help you get?the best?value for your money,?but they?also get access to tons of exclusive?extras and bonuses like complimentary tours, room upgrades,?dining?vouchers?and more.?These offers are usually negotiated between businesses and only available to those who book through a travel agent with access to the product.??

3.?They?are experts in their field??

To be successful, travel agents are required to have expansive knowledge that not only enables them to design and manage complex itineraries, deliver cost efficiencies, and prepare their clients for travel – but also to understand the destinations that their clients are visiting and be able to share special insights and experiences.??

While no one can be a master of every possible destination around the globe, at FCTG Independent we facilitate communication and connections among our network of over 300 independent travel consultants and agencies around Australia. These experienced, dedicated agents can learn from their colleagues and garner valuable insights to deliver?memorable holidays.??

There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes with travel agents! Constant product updates and educational opportunities, plus building connections to hotels, cruise companies, airlines and more that can be handy when faced with a challenging situation. No to mention staying up to date with government regulations, changing system requirements and more.??

When you speak with a travel agent, talk to them about your travel style and experiences you enjoy. They may be able to offer new or?alternative?suggestions, as well as arranging special?experiences to make your trip even better.?Their knowledge goes?far?beyond what you can find?in a google search.?It’s that special touch and personal experience that really makes an experienced travel agent shine.??

4. They can provide more flexibility?

COVID-19 resulted in a lot of uncertainty around travel and, as a result, an increased demand – and even an expectation – for flexibility has arisen. Understandably, travellers are no longer willing to commit to an expensive plane ticket, tour or hotel booking with a hefty cancellation fee, when they are subject to changing requirements and potential outbreaks.??

Travel industry news outlet,?KarryOn, published an article?featuring the predictions of our?FCTG Independent travel consultants and growing trends they’ve noticed.?One of the top five trends was the need for flexibility.??

It’s not just COVID that’s brought flexibility to the forefront for travel agents though. They’ve always been standing by to help when their clients are in need.??

Need to change your travel dates? Want to fly out of a different airport? Has your flight been delayed due to a mechanical?issue?but you need to reach a connecting flight? Having a travel agent on-hand to help can be vital in situations like those listed above (and many more).??

One thing those who haven’t used a travel agent before often don’t realise is that agents tend to have more flexibility for your booking needs than booking yourself. Due to strong industry relationships, buying power of groups like FCTG and other permissions they get as a travel agent, you’ll find that there are often tricks of the trade or special waivers that can help them deliver flexible travel arrangements without the enormous cost and/or headache of managing it on your own. Of course, there are some situations that are?unavoidable?and workarounds are limited (think all planes grounded due to a blizzard or hurricane), but?more often than not, having a trusted travel advisor will pay off 10-fold when you’re in a bind.?

Why use an independent travel agent???

Independent?travel?agents usually are highly experienced in the?travel?industry, and generally have years of experience working as a retail agent in a major brand before going out on their own.?

Since they run their own businesses,?they are devoted to delivering exceptional service?and consistently improving their?knowledge?so they can better serve their clients. Independent travel agents will take the time to build a strong, trusting relationship with their clients. They are invested in delivering seamless travel experiences for all customers.??

At FCTG Independent, we provide our network of independent travel agents a wide range of support services and tools to help them succeed?– including global COVID travel updates and 24/7 support.??

When you?work with one of our agents across Australia, you’ll support a small, Australian-owned, independent business but still have access to the enormous product range and competitive rates of Australia’s largest travel agency group: Flight Centre Travel Group.??

Looking for a travel agent? You can start by visiting the Find?An?Agent page on the Travel Partners website?here.??

Are you?an?Australian travel?agent curious about?joining?FCTG Independent? We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with our [email protected].?