With technology on the rise over the past decade due to the increase of cellular phone production and improvement of computers, there has been a decrease in the use of travel agencies, and an increase in the use of online booking to plan vacations and trips for business or leisure. Although online booking is beneficial in that the client does not need to leave their house to plan a vacation, travel agents are still needed during this day and age because they ultimately know everything there is to know about the travel industry, tourism, and they help to increase tourism. Those who are employed by travel agencies make sure you are satisfied with everything having to do with your business trip or vacation. This simultaneously increases new business opportunities and the structure of the tourism industry since computers cannot complete certain tasks. Computers are not aware of word for word what the customer truly desires. The clients online booking through technology are not always aware of what statistics to be aware of to have the best vacation or trip possible, so overall it would be most useful to them to use a travel agent to make sure their trip goes as well as possible.

One may believe online booking is superior to planning a trip through a travel agent because online booking instantly portrays prices that may change daily. Only a select few of travel websites allow you to create a package by booking hotel, airfare, excursions and car rental together. Travel agents’ total fees for a package may range from $20 to $100. It costs an excessive amount more to use a travel agent as opposed to online booking since you are hiring a person to plan everything for you, and they work extremely hard to meet your expectations. Those who are careful with their finances may believe that booking online is best for them since it does not require spending excessive amounts of money.

Online booking is usually geared towards those who are too lazy to leave their house to contact someone who can help them plan their vacation more efficiently. Creators of online booking websites make their layouts appear simplistic and easy to navigate so that the booker feels as though they do not have to insert maximum effort to book their trip as soon as possible. This is appealing to the client since they would rather do it themselves than make an appointment with an educated travel agent whose main concern is to please their customer and give them the best vacation possible to gain returning customers and receive good reviews. 

Those with more Type-A personalities believe that it is more favorable to them to do online booking themselves rather than trusting a travel agent to book everything for them. This is due to their fear of telephone errors being made or errors accidentally made by the agent themselves. For example, one is always able to check and double check important details online on flights or car rentals to ensure they are accurate. If this client had booked through a travel agent, they would have to either call them on the phone or physically visit their office to ensure all the details of their trip were established and firm.

To find a reliable travel agent, one must do plenty of time-consuming and exhausting research. There are different types of travel agents with diverse personalities all over the world, so you want to ensure you find the one that best accommodates your needs and is an expert in the type of vacation you are planning to go on. Your travel agent should supply you with multiple options to choose from regarding hotels, car rental, activities, restaurants, etc., not just a few simplistic options. To ensure you can find a travel agent who states at least 10 options, one must look up all the different categories of travel agents and the travel agencies they work for, and their pros and cons. If they are praised, find what persuaded that certain customer who booked them to do so. Do not be afraid to contact those who have booked certain agents. Although it may seem bizarre to contact someone you do not even know about a vacation you know nothing about, you will not regret it when you receive important information about the agent you are thinking about booking.

On the other hand, booking through a travel agent is superior and more beneficial than online booking because travel agents are educated in the subject and location you are planning on visiting, they will go above and beyond to make certain you are satisfied, and although it may cost more to use them, it will be worth it in the end when your vacation runs smoothly. Travel agents are most useful for trips that are more complex or fancy, such as a honeymoon or a vacation with a large group. This is superior to online booking through technology because while using a travel agent, you give them business that is needed to help them keep their jobs. Because technology has increased over the past years, some believe their careers will be in serious danger in the upcoming years.

The travel agency industry will never actually decline all the way, but it is in the process of and will continue to decrease due to online booking increasing. It is important to continue to book through travel agents because not only does it benefit them, but it benefits the customer as well because of the compassion they receive through having a vacation planned to completely accommodate their needs. It means a lot to a travel agent to have a client who truly appreciates the work they do and wants to make sure their career is steady, and it means a lot to the client that they have somebody who wants what is best for them and their family. 

Although it may cost more to use a travel agent as opposed to online booking, it is more effective because you get what you pay for. When you pay a travel agent to plan your whole vacation for you, they take all your needs into consideration and do everything in their power to please you in the best and cheapest way possible. They are aware of how it feels to be in your shoes, so they treat you how they would want to be treated. Often, people do not know what kind of trip they want if it is just for a vacation, so it is a travel agent’s duty to give them multiple options to choose from regarding where you want to stay, what kind of car you want to rent, what airline you wish to fly with, what restaurants to eat at, and everything else you and your family or friends may desire. It is important that one pays their travel agent because of the amount of tremendous work and stress they go under to keep their job and please you. Travel agents provide you with personalized attention that an online booking website would not provide you with. Another great quality that travel agents possess is that they know where to go in a city, and if they do not, they know someone who does. Travel agents are known for having major connections. Since they book trips all the time, if you are going to a location that is more tourist-based, they know the hot-spots like the back of their hand. If they are unsure of anything, they are one call away from someone who knows the answer, which is reassuring to all customers.

Because online booking companies have appealing websites for those who may just be too lazy to book through a travel agent, travel agencies try to make the process of planning a vacation as smooth and stress-free as possible. Booking a vacation can be hectic, especially if it is a trip for business or work, so travel agents ensure that they make the process as comfortable as possible for you. Booking through a travel agent can eliminate a lot of stress that could come from booking online since you do not have an advisor while booking on a computer or cellular device. 

As mentioned previously, those with more controlling personalities may prefer booking online so they can book everything such as flights and restaurant reservations themselves. Although this may help them feel more secure, it would be more beneficial to them to hire a person who has prior knowledge, experience, and education. To find a travel agent who possesses these qualities, one must do plenty of research. As mentioned before in a more negative context, the research will be worth it in the end when you find one who supplies you with multiple options of what to do on vacation, where to eat, where to stay, where to rent a car, etc. 

On a less serious note, you can even ask your travel agent what they would recommend packing if you are unsure. If you are visiting a new location for the first time, there is a big chance that you are not completely aware of what the weather is going to be like or what all the activities will entail. Travel agents are not there for only serious things, such as finances and transportation; they are there to aid you with small issues like what all to include in your carry-on bag and how many outfits to bring. 

In conclusion, the travel agent industry will never fully die and will always be more beneficial than online booking because travel agents will always be necessary to help customers plan vacations and trips because they are experienced in the tourism industry and everything that comes with it. 
