| Just as you have many different options when | | | | your best bet. |
| selecting where to travel and what to do when | | | | Full service travel agencies, whether online-based |
| you get there, you also have a variety of choices | | | | or locally-based, offer the exact opposite scenario. |
| when selecting the travel agency that will help you | | | | They pair an agent with you to provide all of the |
| to design your perfect vacation. When you are | | | | information you need, when you need it, and to |
| looking for the perfect travel agency to help you | | | | be on hand to help you with all of the travel |
| with all of your travel needs, it is first important | | | | decisions that you make. In addition, they will |
| that you understand the basic types of travel | | | | handle all of your bookings and payments and |
| agencies from which to choose and significant | | | | logistics, sparing you the need to do so on your |
| differences in terms of the services they provide | | | | own. In between self service and full service |
| to a vacationer. | | | | agencies are other options that offer a |
| Before looking at different niches of travel | | | | combination of do-it-yourself plans and planning |
| agencies, one large distinction exists. Do you want | | | | that involves the step-by-step guidance of a |
| to work with an online-based travel agency, or a | | | | travel professional. |
| locally-based travel agency? Depending on how | | | | The second option is the type of travel an |
| either type of travel agency is run, you can have | | | | agency may designate as their specialty. Some |
| a vastly different experience. With an online-based | | | | travel agencies work only with domestic travel |
| travel agency, you can often receive service 24 | | | | planning. They can assist you with any need you |
| 7 and book your travel at any time that is most | | | | may have related to travel within the United |
| convenient to you. You will be able to retrieve | | | | States and its possessions. Other travel agencies |
| information from many online-based travel | | | | work specifically to aid travelers in planning |
| agencies "on demand," or exactly when you | | | | overseas travel. A further narrowing of this niche |
| request it. | | | | can occur when a travel agency focuses only on |
| With a locally-based travel agency, you can often | | | | one particular area of the world for the travel |
| form relationships with particular travel agents | | | | services they provide, such as Europe or the |
| who will also be your main point of contact for | | | | Caribbean. You can also choose travel agencies |
| any future travel that you plan. In addition, the | | | | that focus only on one particular type of travel, |
| agents in your locally-based agency will be able to | | | | such as cruises or multi-segmented trips. It can be |
| maintain information specific to your desires to | | | | very important for you to decide whether you |
| help them to provide suggestions for future | | | | would like to partner with a niche travel agency, |
| vacations. These are only a few of the | | | | or a travel agency that is more broad-based. |
| distinctions between online and local travel | | | | The third option is the type of traveler an agency |
| agencies. | | | | may specialize in assisting. Some travel agencies |
| One recent innovation great for the customer is | | | | only work with a specific demographic of travel. |
| the emergence of travel agencies who provide | | | | For instance, you may choose a travel agency |
| both of the above - the personal service of a | | | | that caters to single travelers. This type of |
| local, walk-in office with the 24/7 and technological | | | | agency may work to put together travel |
| convenience of online access to all your itineraries, | | | | packages and tours specifically geared towards |
| account information and options for self-service | | | | singles instead of couples or families. Other travel |
| booking when you want it. Look for a national | | | | agencies may work with just that - couples or |
| brand with a history of providing reliable service | | | | families. Whether they focus on providing |
| and customer satisfaction; these companies are | | | | romantic destination options for two, or |
| most likely to provide you with the best of both | | | | kid-friendly destinations for the whole family, this |
| worlds in travel agency services. | | | | can be a popular niche for travel agencies. Finally, |
| Once you have determined whether you will use | | | | a travel agency may choose to focus exclusively |
| an online or a local travel agency, there are | | | | on business travelers instead of leisure travelers. |
| additional options from which to choose. The first | | | | They may have options available to offer that |
| option to consider is the level of service an | | | | are particularly suited to travelers who need |
| agency will provide. Travel agencies can run the | | | | different amenities and more flexibility in |
| gamut from full service to self service. Especially | | | | scheduling. |
| with online travel agencies, information may simply | | | | In conclusion there are many services a travel |
| be provided to aid in your travel decisions while | | | | agency provides to make your life easier when |
| leaving much of the leg work to you. If you | | | | planning a vacation or business travel. Most |
| prefer a travel planning experience that allows | | | | importantly, the agent offers years of expertise |
| you to seek out all of your own information and | | | | and knowledge of other travelers’ |
| make all of your decisions and reservations | | | | experiences from which you can benefit. |
| independently, a self service travel agency will be | | | | |