Travel Agents - by Peter (Part 2)
Jul 2nd, 2002, 06:25 AM
#1
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Travel Agents - by Peter (Part 2)
Third, there's the "group" travel agency. They are also typically web agencies working out of their own house, networked to each other with common data bases. They buy blocks of cabins on what they determine to be popular sailings on popular ships for reduced prices from the cruise lines and pass most of those savings along to their clientelle. These will be very good prices but usually require full payment to the agency upfront when booked and no refunds. Service after initial booking is generally poor.<BR><BR>I suspect Paul's agency would fall into group number 1 of mine. I read somewhere on these boards that there are 40% fewer travel agents in 2001 than in 1990 and I suspect most of that decrease has come from group 1. Those that continue to use this group, either don't know how to use the web or are hesitant to do so. While there may currently be sufficient numbers of this type of traveler to support some of the remaining traditional travel agencies, as the younger generations mature (those who know no other way than computer) and the older generations die off, the group 1 agencies will cease to exist - period - no question! All this crap about loyalty, people needing personal contact and discussion is just that - crap. The younger generations know what they want and they simply want to pay the least for it in the most expeditious way - computer!<BR><BR>I also read somewhere in defense of Paul that the majority of cruises are still being booked thru travel agents. I believe this is true if you count group 2 which I also believe to be the largest, by far, of the three groups. If you only count group 1, they couldn't possibly represent the majority of cruise bookings - I'd bet less than 20%.<BR><BR>So Paul, and the other traditional agents out there, you will go they way of the VHS tape, carbon paper and black and white TV - its only a matter of time (and not that much, either).<BR>
Jul 2nd, 2002, 06:57 AM
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Peter: So what's the point? Is this your big in-depth analysis of the travel agency business? Travel agents are here to stay, that's a given. The mom and pop agencies are disappearing but that's been the case for the past 20 years. <BR><BR>Agencies like Liberty Travel with offices up and down the eastcoast are the current model for the industry. They also have a strong web presence for those who wish to book through the internet or research first and then go into one of their storefront agencies.<BR><BR>I personally haven't used a travel agent more than a couple of times in the past 20 years, but I say to each his own. There is room for many different types of booking channels and the traditional travel agency will remain one of those channels for many years to come.<BR><BR>I personally think highly of cruise411.com and have used them for my past couple of cruises. Great prices, no pressure tactics (frequently found in traditional travel agencies) and straightforward service. <BR><BR><BR>
Jul 2nd, 2002, 07:23 AM
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My point is that you are right, Liberty Travel is the current model of the successfull travel agency but only because of their web presence. The storefront portion of their business is the piece thats dying off. All "traditional" travel agencies are disappearing and will continue to until they are gone. They will remain a "channel" only until the current age group 50-70 age no more. Those under 50 today are and will continue to use only those agencies with a web presence and utilize email promotional lists.
Jul 2nd, 2002, 12:21 PM
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The more I think about it, it really boils down to convenience. Recent generations are after easy, convenient ways of doing things. When I was a kid, we had sit down suppers with chicken every Monday, spaghetti every Tuesday, etc. Today the younger generations are after fast food, microwave dinners, everybody in the family do their own thing because they want their leisure time to go to the gym or jog or play golf, etc. Look how many things we do today that are self-service: gasoline, pack your own groceries and take them out to your car yourself, you can buy about anything out of a vending machine - I was recently in an upscale Hotel where the gift shop was replaced with a bank of machines dispensing everything from toothpaste to souvenier sweatshirts! We are driven by our desire to maximize our leisure time no matter the cost.<BR><BR>In the case of travel, this trend will continue. Maybe the older generations value personal contact, having a genuine conversation with someone; but those are becoming few and far between.<BR><BR>Yes, I would be surprised if the twenty somethings utilize your travel services as much as the 50 and older group - very surprised.
Jul 2nd, 2002, 01:32 PM
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JustTheFacts - thought I addressed this point in my original post, but some are in too much of a hurry to post a reply that they don't read the whole post!<BR><BR>Yes, I'll be you're right that agents book 95% of all cruises and I'll bet you even more that 75% of that 95% are what I call .com travel agents - not the traditional agents. Anybody want to bet?
Jul 2nd, 2002, 02:17 PM
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Yes Peter,<BR><BR>I have been a Travel Agent for 30 years and yes if you want I can give you my web address and you can book online or you can phone or you can fax or you can walk in..etc. bottom line is all Travel Agents sell cruises on the internet, in person, by phone or even fax. so you are wrong, Travel Agents will be around for a long time, by the way do you need a price. call, go online walk in or fax... 
Jul 2nd, 2002, 05:08 PM
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Peter you are off base. Yes, travel agencies are having to change the way they do business, but so do other businesses. It's just the way it is.<BR><BR>The fact of the matter is, we are a brick and mortar agency with a web presence. We do a great deal of cruise booking from web requests. There are hundreds and thousands of people who have never cruised before and DO need hand holding. They want to talk to a person who is knowledgable. <BR><BR>My staff and I go to cruise ports 2 times a year for ship inspections and seminars to keep up on what's happening in the industry. We are knowledgable - we are not order takers. That's what clients rely on us for.<BR><BR>The cruise lines don't like it when you go direct - their figures are that it takes their agents triple the time to close a booking as an experienced agent who knows the ships.<BR><BR>Good agents are going anywhere. There is a need for them because of their knowledge of the business. I believe they will become more specialized - just as medical doctors have over the years - because it is too hard to "know it all" - ever if Peter thinks he does.<BR><BR>
Jul 2nd, 2002, 05:36 PM
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Look at the number of grammatical errors in Melissa's posting, LOL! I, having traveled the world for 30 years, would never trust a no-brain like her to make my plans, thank you. In fact, most travel agents are ill-educated and NOT well-traveled. Sure, they do ships and big resorts where they are bribed and pampered- but they have no handle on the world. How many have even finished a college geography class??
Jul 3rd, 2002, 04:09 AM
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ms - I would imagine you meant my post, not Melissa's. I didn't see grammatical problems with Melissa's post, but I did in mine when I re-read it.<BR><BR>Unfortunately, it's sort of in the heat of the moment when some of these posts are done and we may not take the time to re-read them before we post them.<BR><BR>My apologies. I didn't mean to offend someone as well-traveled and educated as you are. I guess my bachelors is no good. Whatever!
Jul 3rd, 2002, 06:04 AM
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I read several responses to my post last night (7/2) and there was one written by a travel agent who detailed out the process a travel agency goes thru to book blocks of cabins, etc. It was very insightfull and ended asking if we wanted any more details on the process. I answered "yes, please" and was looking forward to a continuation of that this morning.<BR><BR>Lo and Behold - their post and my answer have been edited out of this thread! I've got a real problem with this FODORS! There was no offensive language in the post, no one was even slammed. It was pure information - insider information that was very interesting to me and probably all of your other readers. Why did you delete just that portion. Either the whole post is offensive, or breaks the rules or something and needs to be deleted or you should leave it alone! Keep this in mind - if you lose your regulars, this forum will wither and die.
Jul 3rd, 2002, 12:03 PM
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ta...here's the correction. Go back to Eng 101?Peter, you would be surprised by the amount of 20 something's (20-somethings) that I sell trips too(to whom I sell trips.) Not everyone enjoys the internet. It is as impersonal as 1 800 numbers that have you press 1 for English 2 for French, ect.<BR>(It is as impersonal as 1-800 numbers which you must press 1 for English, 2 for French, etc.) <BR><BR>
Jul 3rd, 2002, 12:36 PM
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FYI, MS<BR><BR>I have gone to college, in fact I graduated with honors from my Hospitality and Tourism program. I was awarded with the CITC student award (Canadian Institute of Travel Coundellors), I have almost finished my ACC (Accredited Cruise Counsellor), and have my CTC (Certified Travel Counsellor). I have taken tons of geography courses, and I have been to my fair share of places around the world. I am not stupid by any means, but grammer and spelling have NEVER been my cup of tea, and wasn't a big thing in college. Sorry to offend you, but I assure you my spelling will never be a problem when I am booking anyone's vacation. I assure you I am great at my job and haven't had any complaints. I have no problems with employers wanting me either.
