Travel

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With the Internet acting as a global marketplace for consumers, travelers have had the opportunity to shop around and make their own travel arrangements instead of depending on travel agents. Although the Internet offers convenience, the personal attention that a travel agent gives his customers can never be replaced by a computer. Using an agent can help improve your business and leisure travel.

Knowledge

Travel agents are required to have a broad knowledge of the world, especially popular travel destinations. When you are planning a leisure vacation, a travel agent can suggest locations that fit your travel wants and needs. For business travelers, travel agents can offer knowledge about locations for meetings and conferences and suggest must-do activities for leisure time. Additionally, a good travel agent can inform you about local laws, customs, climate, travel documentation and travel advisories that concern your destination. Travel agents constantly increase and refresh their knowledge through attending trade shows and workshops and taking trips to familiarize themselves with different locales.

Booking

One of the most important duties of a travel agent is booking accommodations, car rentals, flights, cruises, trains, buses and tours. They have access to direct inventory for many accommodations and travel arrangements, giving you options that you may have missed by searching for yourself online. A travel agent may also be responsible for rebooking or making alternative travel arrangements due to unforeseen circumstances. In the event of bad weather, for example, a call to your travel agent may be more helpful, or at least less stressful, than standing in line at a ticket counter waiting to be rebooked.