Travel agents are familiar with various destinations and products. They help clients decide which destination is best for them, considering their wants and needs and still give the best value for the dollar. Travelers don t want to risk thousands of dollars and a possible bad experience through lack of knowledge and information. For many people, travel can be and is the experience of a lifetime. Travel is the second largest business in America, but according to the US of Commerce Department, in the year 2000, travel and tourism became the number one industry in the country.
Tourism generates jobs, more than any other industry except health and business services.
Actually, the Internet has increased agency business. Travel is one of the most popular topics viewed on the Internet and yes, there are those that will book their airline tickets and other travel related services over the Internet, but agencies report they get more calls from people complaining about booking something over the Internet and not being satisfied. The Internet does help the traveling public research and learn more about where they want to travel, but the bottom line is most people want to talk with a travel professional to help them make the right choices. Travel agents use the Internet, among other resources, as an informational tool to update themselves on the latest industry news, new travel products, and offerings of tour operators and suppliers. They also can refer their clients to web sites of interest.