Curiosity Question: Any travel agents out there?
 

Hi guys. I started using this board long before I became a travel agent, because I am one of those obsessive planners who prefers to do it myself (trust me, I understand why most of you would never use a travel agent). Now that I am a travel agent (helping mostly people who would never show up here because they would rather pay someone else to do the research for them) I still enjoy using the board to plan my own trips (going to Germany/Austria in May!), and occasionally to try and find an answer to a difficult question posed by a client. Now, at one point I have been questioned on why a travel agent would need to use this board, and am curious - are there other travel agents out there who are Fodorites? Am I alone in finding this useful for myself AND clients?

I would consider your participation on this board two-fold.

First, consider it part of the "research" you do for those clients that don't want to do it themselves. There is no way you can know everything about every place. So, you can take advantage of the opinions/experiences of the people here to help plan your clients' travels. Of course, nothing is better than firsthand knowledge, but there are a lot of "experts" here who can fill in gaps.

Second, you still have opinions, advice, suggestions, experiences, etc to share based on your own travels and the travels of your clients. I would hope that you ask for some sort of feedback when your clients return - that way you can also keep us Fodorites in the loop!

Thanks, Grcxx3, I forgot to mention that - I do try to post at the very minimum my own feedback and answers to questions. And trip reports are a must!! I appreciate the give and take on this board. I have just felt a bit hesitant in recent months since becoming a travel agent to mention the fact that I am one, since I don't want to come across as a know-it-all, as I certainly don't know it all!! And I have noticed a general trend to demeaning the place of travel agents on this board on occasion - which bothers me sometimes. I know pretty much everyone on this board doesn't need one, but there are people out there who don't have time to do what we do.

I know that there are some travel agents who frequent Fodors, but following the Fodors rules - they don't advertise in any way. I think as long as you are giving and getting advice and not soliciting clients - all is well.

I may not have all the "details" on the dos and don'ts for travel agents, but I'm sure someone here will correct me or add to my comments.

I'm not a travel "agent," but I do a fair amount of travel consulting apart from my primary business, and sure I use this board for information! It's invaluable.

I figure any travel agent who follows the posts on Fodors has an edge up on those who don't.

I'm a travel agent and I think this board is a great source of information. I love how people are so eager to help each other and to share their experiences.

I am occasionally turned off, however, by what I perceive to be a palpable hostility towards travel agents. I don't understand it.

And then there are those who feel like this is their board and who don't bother to conceal their contempt for visitors who are clueless about travel. I don't understand that either!

Amen, Virgo!

Hi All,

On another board, a travel agent recently posted a message asking for an itinerary and ideas for a client. Now, assuming the TA receives a fee for his/her advice, what are the ethics involved? I referred the TA to the Swiss Tourist office and wouldn't give any more info.

Any thoughts?

s

I wouldn't feel right doing that - when it comes to clients I merely search through previous posts, or only ask very specific questions that I can't find answers to anywhere else. (i.e. what tourist attraction are open on Christmas day in such and such a city)

I don't think there's anything wrong in using the board to do research and plan. Travel agents are supposed to do that, you can't be born with the knowledge of a place.

However, I don't see why you would feel it necessary to mention you are a travel agent in your posts or when talking about things (ie, you said you were hesitant to mention the fact that you are a travel agent on Fodors). Why would you need to mention it at all? No one would know if you don't try to solicit clients or don't try to impress people with it (by implying you know better, etc., as some do on some boards).

virgo, if you are a travel agent and really can't comprehend at all the hostility towards travel agents, you have not interacted with them very much.

A lot of travel agents are completely incompetent, that's why there is hostility. I've had dealings with them myself. A lot don't know anything, waste your time, and do things just to make money for themself, not things that are in the clients' interest. They are often extremely biased, also, towards only the things they know about or get commissions on. It isn't a profession that requires any licensing or particular knowledge, that's the problem.

I think a really good travel agent would be great, and run-of-the-mill ones are worthwhile for certain kinds of clients or certain kinds of products (ie, cruises). But if you are completely clueless about what the majority of travel agents are like, that doesn't say much for your experience in the field.

I sleep with one!

:))

Well, occasionally when I ask questions it is hard to phrase it without either saying 'I am going to..' or 'my client is going to..' in order to explain the background behind the question a bit (dates, etc.).

Christina I did two years of schooling to become a travel agent. But I agree with you, there are some really bad ones out there. Personally I got into the industry because I love research and I love helping people find what it is they are really passionate about when it comes to travel.

Count me in.
I've been in the industry for over 30 years and can only do my job right if I research well.
None of us know everything and this board, among others, is a great resource. It's increased my ability to help my clients many times over.

Any travel agent that thinks they "know it all" - doesn't. If browsing and replying on Fodor's or other forums makes you smarter and you learn something, you're a better agent.

As the rules on Fodor's stipulate "no self-promotion" which posts are usually so obvious, keep on browsing for future business knowledge and planning your personal holidays.

Whether an agent or not, there's always some bit of information that anyone might find useful.

Hi abbynicole,
I'm not a travel agent, but I remember you from your trip report about your backpacking trip. DH and I took our families with us to Germany and Austria last summer and we stayed at Haus am Moos. Never would have found it were it not for your report... thanks!!! :-) We're headed back to Austria in May for 16 days - can't wait :-)

Hi TexasAggie!

Glad you enjoyed it! My husband and I are actually in Germany/Austria in May as well - when will you be there? We are staying at Haus Am Moos from May 5-9.

Hi abbynicole :-)
We arrive in Vienna on May 8th and are meandering around Austria after 5 nights there, ending in Salzburg at Haus am Moos for 2 nights on May 22 and 23. I just confirmed with Walter last week. I posted our itinerary on Fodors a few days ago... feel free to take a look and see if we will cross paths at any point on our trips! :-)
We also went to Hallstatt on our recommendation on our family trip. We were only there for a day but we fell in love with the beauty of the place. DH and I are planning to spend a couple nights there on this May trip. I haven't nailed down accomodations yet but I am learning toward Pension Sarstein

TexasAggie,

We will be in Germany after May 9, so won't end up crossing paths. Oh well - it looks like a lovely itinerary, I know you will enjoy it!!

We are maybe going to do Hallstatt as a day trip (we have 4 days in Salzburg) - depends on how much down time we end up wanting. We are doing Berchtesgaden for sure this time - my friend and I ending up not doing it on my last trip. I'm waffling between the Wolfgangsee (much closer) or Hallstatt for the other day trip.

In defense of travel agents...

I like to do my own research most of the time (it's part of the fun for me) but sometimes I just can't pull things together fast enough or find the kind of flights I need or feel comfortable I'm staying in the right location. On a more expensive or complicated trip I have a really great travel agent I use. We first found her when my husband (who thinks he is our travel agent) couldn't get us good flights from Zurich to Athens to Santorini.

The travel agent found us a direct charter from Zurich to Santorini. It was wonderful and we sat around the pool in Santorini feeling rather smug as we heard the grueling routes so many others took to get to the island.

Also, I needed help on a trip to Morocco. I found some information on Fodor's but not enough that I felt totally comfortable. The travel agent had been to Morocco a number of times and knew just what my concerns were and how to take care of them.

I will mention she was the second travel agent I spoke to and was referred by a friend who travels a lot. Like any service professional you have to look around a bit and check references.

I've been reluctant to add to this post, but what the hey...

I've been a part-time travel consultant for some time (not my main occupation, which had nothing to do with travel.) Around 18 months ago I affiliated with a large "host" agency as a home-based TA. I use my TA status mainly as a means of accessing GDSs more economically; I'll sell a cruise or a package now and then, but my main forte is weird air routings, and since most airlines no longer pay commissions, I work on an hourly fee basis for nearly all those gigs.

I've been posting and reading posts on Fodors for many more years than I've worked in the travel business, and I certainly don't see any conflict. Rather, I think there's a real benefit to both sides - I learn about things I wouldn't know otherwise, and from time to time I can point people in directions that will improve their travel experience, based on my knowhow in the biz. Synergy, not competition, is the way I see it. I don't use Fodors as a marketing vector, and I am prone to call out those who do.

Travel agents are people too, you know. Well, most of us.

This is a really interesting and valuable thread and I'm so glad I stumbled upon it. After several years of planning my own trips as well as those of my friends and family, I have begun to do part-time travel consulting as a side business to my day job (which is not travel-related). Mainly it's just a way to make some extra money doing something I love doing anyways, and hopefully this will finance the many trips I have on my wish list! When I first contemplated getting into travel consulting I felt almost badly about coming on Fodor's, like I was somehow "cheating" by reading posts and getting some of my information here. This makes me feel much better, knowing that there are others who do the same and that we are all contributors to the success of this board, no matter how we come to use the information we find here. I really value the advice I get on this forum and I try and contribute back as often as possible and I see that others do the same.

Christina,

Yours is exactly the kind of hostility I was talking about. I have to wonder why you feel you have the right to be so nasty to someone you don't even know.

I happen to be an excellent travel agent, conscientious, caring and very dedicated. I've been in the business a long time. My clients love me and are very loyal. That's because they know that all I want is to make them happy. I wouldn't have any clients if I didn't please them. Why would anyone sell the wrong product to a client, knowing they will never come back??

I work on a commissions only basis. Sometimes people call me just to pick my brains. They get me to send them an itinerary with hotels and trains and all kinds of good information . . . then they turn around and book it themselves online. They don't even save anything! What's up with that??

When is the last time you worked for a couple of weeks without getting paid?

Your spouting off at me is pretty contemptible. I hope you feel better now.

I am not a travel agent, but I do work these days as a tour guide, doing local coach tours. I've been posting on Fodor's long before I started working in tourism. (Like AbbyNicole, I love to plan, and do research.)

I can't say I've used these boards to research for my (local) tour guiding, but I do understand it when you say, "I don't want to come across as a know-it-all". Oh, how many times have I gotten questions from people, and I don't know the answer, and they say, what? don't you know this? No way is *any* one going to know the answers to everything. (Even if some posters on this board sound like they do. :) )

I think this board has a lot of "do it yourselfers", so they tend to resent travel agents, guides, and anyone who will do the logistical legwork in helping someone plan a trip. If my passengers are typical, the people on this board are the exception, not the rule. I've seen many people come to town without a map, any knowledge of the transit system, or any idea of what they want to do or see. I love to make suggestions, but I love, even more, people who research their trip before they depart!

I see absolutely nothing wrong with anyone, pro or not, using anything at their disposal to be an aid.

A person could be a travel agent for a hundred years and have barely scratched the surface of places to go or things to see. Boards like this allow them to pick the brains of folks that may have a personal exposure to a place or situation. In return, it allows us to pick their brains on good deals or other places.

Personally, I have nothing against folks advertising services or products, as long as there is a special place on the board to do so.

Just my 1.3 euro cents.

dave

Hi abby,

IMO so long as you abide by the rules [and so far, you have been scrupulous in doing so] it is a credit to you that you choose to frantanise with us "amateurs" in your free time.

agents can be invaluable where however much advice people get from forums like this, they still feel more comfortable having an agent making their bookings. Better that than not travelling at all!

Although i wouldn't dream of using an agent for travel in europe [we live here, which helps] we used an agent to help us plan our trip to South africa [because we hadn't been before and we had our kids with us] last year and I'm still glad that we did.

I would do the same if i was travellnig to another part of Africa, Asia, etc.

regards, ann

hi again, abby,

just thoughr of another use for agents - someone to blame when things go wrong.

:S-

regards, ann

lol, so true... even plane delays (as if we can predict that) are our fault.