Good agents will always be of value – TravelMole travel agent column by Barbara Charlton (Travel Counsellors)

I see that there are many Going Places shops due to close.

But when operators are undercutting their own agencies by their direct and online selling, I do not for a minute think they will be the last to do so.

I just hope that all those redundant staff will be able to continue in their chosen career choice and not decided to move to other industries instead.

Good travel agents with lots of experience will always be valued by clients and it would be a great loss to see the years of hard work being thrown away.

I was unable to make the pilgrimage to World Travel Market this year for reasons explained below, but my feet will be forever thankful, I am sure!

I do love to get up there usually, as it’s a great chance to meet old and new friends from tourist boards and hotels as well as suppliers.

Of course, another great thing about WTM is the excellent range of competitions. Anyone who knows me, will know how addicted I am to travel related competitions, as a wardrobe full of T-shirts and baseball hats confirms!

What a fabulous trip I had to Kenya two weeks ago. I had never been on a safari before, but although it was in the top five of my travel wish-list, I really wasn’t sure what to expect.

But I have to say that the three days I spent in Tsavo East and West in Kenya were the most amazing I have spent overseas.

Words cannot describe the exhilaration of seeing a herd of huge elephants walking in front of your vehicle, being 10-feet away from a cheetah or sitting on a hillside surveying a herd of antelope across the plains- it was EXACTLY like watching BBC Wildlife, but we were in the picture!

Needless to say I have reels and reels of fabulous photos from my two cameras. That would be my biggest tip for a safari – take at least two cameras, back-up batteries, films and even a throwaway camera just to make sure. These are once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities not to be missed.

I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to Shelley and Shona from First Choice Tropical, who looked after all of us so well. This included one agent being in hospital for a few days, and myself having to visit two doctors during my trip. But I would do it all again for the chance of going on safari.

There is no price to be put on first hand knowledge, especially when you are working for yourself.

Since my return, it’s been a case of catch up with over 250 emails and getting stuck into those client Christmas cards. Not to mention getting organised for our forthcoming annual conference – a great chance to catch up with all the other Travel Counsellors. As partners are also invited, it’s also a chance to see my husband in a tuxedo, which as every girl knows is a rare sight, but one worth the annual wait!