What does a travel agent do these days?

“Why would I need a travel agent if I can just book it myself?”  A travel advisor, travel professional, and travel consultant are alternative titles for what was once termed a “travel agent.” They all refer to the same profession, but due to the advent of online booking engines and the idea that the need for a “travel agent” has become obsolete, many of us prefer one of the alternate titles as a better description to what we actually do. One individual responded to my profession with “People still do that? Why?” Such responses have actually made me reluctant to tell people what I do for my paying work.

Let me be very clear that travel agents are not just “booking agents.” Yes, we get paid commission by the suppliers to book trips. This is how we primarily get paid, but our job is so much more than booking a trip. Many of us are business owners who have created a niche based on our passions, and we spend the majority of our days learning about what is out there in the world of travel to reflect our goals, passions, and ideals. We are learning about destinations, types of travel, the nuances of various suppliers and tour operators, and the logistics of making it all happen as smoothly as possible. Most people don’t know what there is to experience because there is no reason for them to know it.  

My main passion and specialization is in sustainable travel, which is often referred to as responsible or ethical travel. I realize that I am not the perfect travel agent for everyone, but I want people to think of my business when they want their travel to have the best impact on people, cultures, environment, and economies of the places they visit. Some popular forms of vacationing can be pretty harmful to local  communities, even when it is espoused as “good.” Although I don’t believe in an all-or-nothing approach to traveling responsibly, there are tour operators, resorts, suppliers, etc… who are also committed to similar goals. Most people just don’t know what is out there, and the responsible travel experiences are often more unique and awe-inspiring than what they even knew existed.

---