Choosing a travel agency to work with is not an easy task, especially considering they will be in charge of planning your entire trip. Your travel agent’s skills, experience, and qualities will spell the difference between a memorable trip and a disastrous one. If you need professional travel planning services, here are 5 qualities you should look for in your agent:
- Experienced Explorer
For a travel agent to do their job well, they must explore the world, whether online or physically. While you shouldn’t discount a travel agent that hasn’t visited a destination, finding one with first-hand experience can mean better value for your money. This is because such agents are able to translate their knowledge into planning the perfect itinerary for you.
- Organized
Travel agents have to make calls, arrange flights, confirm bookings, rent cars, secure accommodations, process payments, and mail tickets, to mention a few roles. Only a highly organized professional can pull this off and give you the trip you deserve, so always look for an agent with excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills.
- Great People Skills
Because travel agents work with many people – care renters, hotel agents, tour escorts, etc. – they need to have great communication skills. Find an agent that is talented and versatile in how they interact with people. Such agents tend to get the best deals and solve problems as soon as they crop up because they connect with everyone.
- Visionary
Planning a trip involves more than just bookings and dates, especially if it is a special trip, such as a dream vacation or wedding. If you are looking for inspiration in your travels, look for a travel agent that is visionary and is known for giving their clients an unforgettable experience.
- Knowledgeable
Lastly, always go for a travel agent that knows everything there is to know about a destination. They don’t need to have been there or have all the answers off the top of their head, but they should be adept at research and fast on their feet.