United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Surviving the e-booking world
One of the most popular ongoing programs for the Canadian Institute of Travel Counselors is “how to survive in an e-booking world.” Said President and CEO Steve Gillick:
“That seems to be travel agents’ biggest concern. They either see it as a threat or they want savvy advice on how to use it.”
Mr Gillick said the internet is admittedly handy for short trips or point-to-point airline tickets.
But during a trip to Mongolia, he observed one of his favorite examples of what can go wrong for self-bookers. A hysterical woman could not leave the country because she was unaware a double entry visa was required.
“A travel agent would have advised her — as mine did — of the necessity of having a visa both to enter and to leave the country,” he said.
Complicated trips are made-to-order opportunities for agents.
He said:
“I see a strong future for agents in the baby boomers who are often looking for a little more complicated adventure. They have higher demands. They don’t want to know whether a hotel has a pool, but does it have a swim-in bar? Does it have a nature trail?”
Mr Gillick, a former tour operator, said there remains a demand for group travel, but many travelers want more personalized trips.
Another good example of how travel agent expertise helps is at the Toronto airport, where many travelers don’t know they need to retrieve their own baggage for connecting flights.
“Again, this is the type of expert advice from a travel counselor, as opposed to the standard one-hour US flight where you don’t need much knowledge,” he said.
Report by David Wilkening
Related News Stories:
David
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled