Many people think that the travel industry is dead. But the opposite is true. The travel industry is booming and has continued to find new and exciting ways to stay relevant and help their clients. Harnessing global connections, providing exceptional service, using technology, and creating apps has made more consumers choose travel agencies over the do-it-yourself technologies advertised today.
One case in which travel agencies have the edge is in real-time crises. While plenty of websites exist to help you book flights and cancel flights, who can you turn to when your flight gets cancelled while you’re at the airport? Travel agents can get you connected to flights quickly, have connections to other services like hotels and can get you housed if you have to stay overnight.
Getting real-time assistance is difficult for many travelers. Travel companies are trying to fix the real-time response issue with apps. But they can’t address every traveler’s issues alone. Many travel companies are partnering with other companies like Urgent.ly, an app that provides quick roadside assistance. This app provides the same services as AAA membership for two-thirds the rate. Other agencies that are partnering with travel agencies can be found in hospitality. Hotels like the Hilton, use Twitter to provide immediate assistance to travelers. It also has a system called Hilton Suggests that funnels questions to one of its local concierges for travelling guests.
Continued growth in the area of real time service could be the key to ensuring that travel agencies stay ahead of the self-service trend that has proliferated modern culture. Although many travel agencies view these tools as convenient allies to be shared with clients and have no fear of being replaced. For example, some industry leaders believed that the creation of Google Flights would take business from travel agents. But many travel agents report that while clients may use Google Flights as starting point for travel, they leave it to their travel agents to book and buy.
Currently, travel agents are finding new and exciting ways to stay in the travel game. Through real time service, integration of apps and web services, and partnerships with other agencies, travel agencies are finding ways to promote services to keep clients coming back for more. eMerchantBroker.com will give your travel merchant account a major boost with their superior payment processing services.