For years, we have heard that travel agents are a dying breed, and now it seems, these very same travel agents agree, or at least in name only.
According to a survey by the National Association of Career Travel Agents, almost half (47%) of travel professionals prefer to be called travel consultants.
NACTA surveyed over 1,200 of its members, asking travel professionals what they would like to be known as, with travel consultant taking top spot.
Travel professional came second with 23.9% of the vote while just 12.7% of members stuck with travel agent.
Travel advisor came next at 7.5% followed by 4.3% for travel expert.
NACTA said it will refer to rank and file membership as travel consultants from now on.
The survey’s results follow a similar pattern to an identical ASTA poll conducted last year, when 54% of respondents preferred to be called travel consultant.
NACTA also found that most members do not wish to be referred to as a ‘home-based agent.’
"The term home-based agent is irrelevant now as technology and personal relationships have changed. It is not important to label where travel consultants might do business – what’s important is being good at what you do," said NACTA president Ann van Leeuwen.
