Agents Do It All

If there wasn’t already enough evidence that travel agents play a crucial role in helping consumers arrange their trips, new research from ASTA makes it abundantly clear that agents save their clients both time and money.

In that research, consumers reported that agents saved them, on average, $452 per trip and four hours in travel planning. And perhaps most importantly, consumers said that agents helped them avoid costly mistakes.

“Best of Both Worlds: Quantifying How Travel Agents Save Consumers Time and Money,” was funded by Carnival Corporation and conducted by market research firm TNS Global. The detailed findings of the survey will be available at www.ASTA.org on May 30.

ASTA president and CEO Zane Kerby observed, “We couldn’t hold back the good news, and that is that travel agent usage is at its highest level since we began commissioning independent consumer research three years ago.”

Kerby noted that, “At this point, consumers have tried it all. They’ve booked online, they’ve gone direct, and they’ve used a travel agent. This study dispels the myth that booking direct with suppliers or spending hours online yourself gets you a better deal, or gives you a happier travel experience. Consumers told TNS Global that if you want a better travel experience, use an agent.”

The results were released by ASTA to mark National Travel and Tourism Week (May 1-7) in the US and to celebrate Travel Agent Appreciation Day on May 4.

“We want to say ‘thank you’ to our members all over the globe for all you do every day to advise and protect your customers,” Kerby said.

For the full story, check out this week’s Canadian Travel Press by clicking here.