Thanks for stopping by. Here we will try to answer your most common questions about travel agents and travel resources in general.
About Travel Agents:
Do People Need Travel Agents?
Yes and No. With the emergence of online booking sites, it is simpler than ever to book your own airfare, hotel, and car. For simple needs such as these, a travel agent may not be necessary. However due to the saturation of travel information available online, one can become more overwhelmed since they don’t know where to begin their travel planning process. They don’t have the time to compare site after site after site. They need someone who can guide them in the right direction. Also, a travel agent has access to offers and promotions not available to the online booking sites. An agent has the knowledge and resources to put together complex itineraries or destination packages. An agent has insight and information on local excursions, adventures, and cuisine. While the travel industry has definitely shifted from what it was 30 years ago, travel agents aren’t going away any time soon.
Does It Cost More To Use A Travel Agent?
Contrary to popular belief, it actually doesn’t cost more to use a travel agent. Travel agents get paid a commission that is built into the price from the supplier directly. A hotel room will cost you the same whether you book it through a travel agent or through a site like Expedia or Orbitz. The hotel then pays commission to the booking agent directly. You should be paying the same (maybe even less) with a travel agent as you would booking through a major booking engine.
Why Should I Book With a Travel Agent? Travel planning can be overwhelming due to the insane amount of information and deals available. Having a travel agent can help you sort out the best places to look. Booking with Artisan Escapes can save you time because we are doing the major legwork for you. We spend the time to research your trip and give you the best options. Another reason to book with Artisan Escapes is because we may be able to save you money. We have a vast amount of resources available to help find you a better rate than advertised anywhere else. Not to mention, we are paid directly by the supplier, so you don’t have to worry about any extra fees.
I understand that a travel agent isn’t for everyone, which is why we are so excited to have our own booking website, artisanbookings.com for you to book your own basic travel needs, such as air, hotel or car. You can book on our site here. As always, we are available if you have any questions!
I Usually Book Using an Online Booking Site. Why Use You? Online booking sites such as Orbitz or Expedia or any myriad of others have made self-booking travel a great convenience for everyone. At one time those sites focused on deeply discounted fares or excess inventory at a reduced price. Those days are long gone. Those sites now typically offer the same rates and product available through any travel agency. Often they offer a select inventory of product provided them by their suppliers. This means you may not see all the room types available at hotels, as that chain has decided to only make certain rooms or styles available to those online booking sites. Airlines as well often provide limited inventory to those sites, allocating bundled itineraries or blocks of flights. The same goes with cruises and vacation bundles. Certain packages or blocks of rooms are made available to the online booking sites. This also means changing a room or accommodation once onsite may difficult or an upgrade may be impossible.
A travel agent, such as Artisan Escapes, has complete access to each supplier and vendor’s inventory. We are not restricted by inventory blocks or type allocations. This means we can often provide more selection and options than you may find on an online booking site. If you don’t see what you need or want, you can also contact us directly and we can work to find something to suit you. We specialize in custom crafting itineraries.
This brings up another advantage to using a travel agent. You can actually speak to an agent. Most of those online booking sites do not actually have a travel agent available for you to work with to answer questions about specific destinations or packages. No additional knowledge or insight is available on a locale or resort beyond what you already see online. This also means you may have limited to no success in getting post-sale support if there are any issues or challenges with your trip while in transit or onsite. A travel agent, such as Artisan Escapes, can be your single point of contact for your complete trip. Travel agents as well have insider access to upgrades or bonus offers and promotions not typically available on those online booking sites.
Again though, we recognize there are times you may simply need an airline ticket, hotel room, or rental car. You know what you need, when, and where. Those are great reasons to use an online booking site. You don’t necessarily need the assistance of a travel agent. We have created an online booking site, found here, to assist you in these simple bookings. Give us a look. You will find our selection is comparable to your favorite online booking site and our pricing is competitive and often better, with fewer limits and restrictions. And you still get the great personal service of Artisan Escapes if there are any issues or questions. If you do find a comparable price online, contact us and let us see what we can do.
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