Busy agent sells upscale travel

The internet may eventually push out many travel agents, which at least one New Jersey-based agent admits, but in the meantime Iris Citron says: ”I’ve never been busier.” Ms Citron, who is the New Jersey chapter president of the American Society of Travel Agents, admits that she is cushioned somewhat because most of her clientele is affluent. A typical cruise package may be $20,000 to $30,000, though Ms Citron generally does FIT travel. She says her services remain in demand because “The more experienced travelers understand we know the questions to ask. If they want a cheaper hotel room, we know where to go.” Part of the reason she is busier than ever, she says, is that there’s a pent-up demand for travel. A cold winter also drove many of her customers to want to go south to warm weather areas such as the Caribbean. She also has specialized in Europe, where she can offer extensive insider knowledge to her clients. “The experienced traveler doesn’t need the internet. It’s the inexperienced travelers who use it first, “ said Ms Citron, who works out of the Milburn, NJ, office of Scully Travel. She has been in the business since 1973 and owned her own agency for years. Ms Citron charges a flat fee of $35 for an airline ticket whatever it costs. She says she often finds the lowest price if that is the objective. “Sometimes yes, it’s the cheapest, sometimes it’s not. I also use the internet at times,” she said. She acknowledges that more agents are increasingly being impacted by internet users who find what they want without help. But she adds that agents should be kept busy for the foreseeable future.