travel agent reco?
Oct 6th, 2000, 09:48 AM
#1
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travel agent reco?
Can anyone recommend a good travel agent who is knowledgable in European travel? My fiancee and I are planning our honeymoon and would like to hit a few countries along the Mediterranean but are clueless. We want to go on a first-class trip, just dont know where to go!
Oct 6th, 2000, 12:20 PM
#2
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I can't really by name, but I do remember reading an article about advantages of agents vs other methods of booking, and I think one of the few types of travel where a travel agent may actually be worthwhile nowadays is the expensive, high-end category--a good one may have special priorities or prices with certain hotels, etc., and they are more likely to know that market and those properties than budget stuff. I only read a couple travel magazines regularly, so I suspect that article was in Conde Nast Traveler sometime within the past six months. I think it was a consumer reports type article comparing prices and advantages of different ways to book a hotel room (online, 800 number, travel agent, etc). And it mentioned by name a couple very well-regarded high-end travel agents. I searched their web site (www.cntraveler.com) and they don't have articles for the past 6 mo or so (I think it was by Wendy Perrin) which is when I think it was published, so it might be worthwhile to go to the library if they carry that magazine and look for it. I'm not in the luxury market so didn't save it, but I remember thinking it was good info for that topic and the high-end agencies they described sounded good. Other than that, I will say that there is a prof. trade assn. of travel agents (ASTA) and their web site does let you search for a travel agent by specialty (www.astanet.com), so you could put in Europe and Luxury Travel or something. I suppose that's better than picking one out of the phone book; I don't think that assn has any quality stds, anyone can belong who pays a fee (I think they mention prof education, but it's mainly about running a business, not about knowing anything about travel or destinations), but I think it could be one indication of professionalism. On the con side, their members don't list themselves or participate very well, or their organization is ineffective, as there is only one agent in the whole US who lists himself as a specialist in France, for example, so I don't know how good that listing really is. It seemed like one or two people on this forum claimed they had a good travel agent previously so someone will probably recommend one; I've never found one I would entrust to buy even an airline ticket.
Oct 8th, 2000, 08:27 AM
#5
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This message has set-up written all over. Beth, why don't you just come out and ADVERTISE? Oh, never mind, I forgot the NO ADVERTISEMENT POLICY. <BR> <BR>Fodors, straighten up this lady. I don't mind giving advice, but I mind been taking advantage of so blatantly.
Oct 8th, 2000, 08:27 AM
#6
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Beth <BR> <BR>Your attitude is that of a spoiled child and is not consistent with that of the travelers who post on this board. The people who post here are supportive of each others' efforts and work together to plan quality travel experiences. You would be welcomed as a sincere private poster, but travel agents are specifically asked not to solicit here. And a travel agent with an attitude is a shame. Please take an honest look at your motives. Frankly, I thought Casto hired higher quality personnel. Go somewhere else.
Oct 8th, 2000, 09:10 AM
#7
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Angela, as you can see, there are plenty of travel agents happy to sell you something, but who couldn't plan their way out of a paper bag. Please scroll around and check out the recent questions on Italy. Way too many are courtesy of Beth, so if you hire her, you'll just be paying someone to surf Fodors, which you can do yourself.
Oct 8th, 2000, 09:15 AM
#8
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Do I detect some irritation towards travel agents in this forum? Come on the lady asked for a good travel agent - I answered her. If you had done so and recommended a travel agent by name would that have been soliciting too? Further although I feel that I am a good travel agent and love my job - I can't know everything or have traveled everywhere - hence my use of this forum. There are many ways to do research!
Oct 8th, 2000, 09:32 AM
#9
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What you detect is irritation with your tactics of hogging a forum, advertising your business, making unflatering remarks about the users, blatantly taking advantage for econonic gain....let's see, can we piled up something else? <BR> <BR>Just so you are forewarned, I intent to contact your management about your lack of respect and courtesy for other travel organizations, let alone for the independent traveling community.
