{"id":17798,"date":"2023-07-21T12:08:22","date_gmt":"2023-07-21T12:08:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.guru.com\/blog\/?p=17798"},"modified":"2023-07-31T10:33:06","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T10:33:06","slug":"are-travel-agents-necessary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/qa-wp.guru.com\/blog\/are-travel-agents-necessary\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Travel Agents Necessary?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Before hiring a freelance travel agent<\/a>, you might wonder if you need one in the first place. After all, you can score great deals on your own by using Google, Expedia, Kayak, or other travel platforms to plan and book travel. So, what\u2019s the point?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these do-it-yourself tools, travel agents are not a thing of the past, and it\u2019s important to know how to pick a travel agent<\/a> to get the most bang for your buck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They Know the Destination In and Out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most travel agents specialize in specific destinations or a type of travel (like cruises). This means they\u2019ve likely lived in or visited the area many times and know plenty about it\u2013more than what you can find after spending hours on the Internet. Sure, you can read articles about the best things to do in Rome, but wouldn\u2019t it be better to hear it from someone who\u2019s actually done those activities? Let the experts tell you what\u2019s best to do and see at your chosen destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re working with a travel agent who\u2019s part of a host agency, they may even have taken \u2018familiarity trips\u2019 to get to know the destinations they\u2019d like to sell. This is beneficial for both you and the agent\u2013they\u2019ll be more knowledgeable with first-hand information about a location, and you\u2019ll have more confidence that the travel planner knows what they\u2019re talking about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They Have Access to Tools You Don\u2019t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When freelance travel planners work with host agencies, they usually have access to tools that are only available to those working in the industry in order to put together superior travel packages. For example, an agent specializing in cruises may be able to view deck plans for the ship they\u2019re going to book you on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also have training at their disposal, making them pros at booking travel. This training covers more than you can learn by poking around Expedia, so it\u2019s beneficial to work with someone who has been through their host agency\u2019s courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They Take the Stress Out of Planning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Planning a trip can be stressful, even if you\u2019re looking forward to it. You need to book flights, tours, hotels, and activities. If you are working with a reputable travel agent, they can create an itinerary for you. This gives you more time to focus on other things you need to take care of before your trip!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Choose a Travel Agent<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On Guru, hiring a freelance travel agent is easy. Here are the steps to finding the right one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Create a Job<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    When using Guru, you want to create a job for freelancers to apply to. Be specific about what you\u2019re looking for. For example, do you just want a standard itinerary, or are you looking for someone to book custom travel arrangements? Be sure to include any questions you want the freelancer to answer so you can get a better understanding of their professional experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Check Out the Applications<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      After you create a listing, travel agents and planners will flock to it. You\u2019ll have a chance to learn about their credentials, affiliations with host agencies, and expertise by reading their portfolio and reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Enter Into an Agreement<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Lastly, select the agent you\u2019d like to work with. Payments will be made through Guru, so there\u2019s no need to exchange personal payment information. On the platform, you can also collaborate with your freelancer within a WorkRoom dedicated to your project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        You can expect to pay around $100 for a travel agent to help you with a trip, depending on its complexity. Agents are typically paid by travel vendors (hotels, airlines, etc.) for booking with them. If they aren\u2019t booking your travel for you, you\u2019ll be paying them for their time, research, recommendations, and expertise. In general, travel agents are more affordable than most people think\u2013especially on Guru!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Take Advantage of What Travel Agents Have to Offer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Before you write off travel agents entirely, consider that they can help alleviate stress, find experiences you wouldn\u2019t find on your own, and get some great deals for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        If you\u2019re struggling to find a travel planner to work with, hop on Guru and create a job listing for them. You\u2019ll be surprised at how many people are eager to plan your next trip!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Before hiring a freelance travel agent, you might wonder if you need one in the first place. After all, you can score great deals on your own by using Google, Expedia, Kayak, or other travel platforms to plan and book travel. So, what\u2019s the point? Despite these do-it-yourself tools, travel agents are not a thing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":17806,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,437],"tags":[532,639],"class_list":{"0":"post-17798","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-employer","8":"category-resources","9":"tag-admin-assistance","10":"tag-travel"},"yoast_head":"\nAre Travel Agents Necessary? - Guru Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Before hiring a freelance travel agent, you might wonder if you need one in the first place. 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