Overwhelmed by travel 'deals'? Travel agents can take the guesswork out of planning

You know where you want to go. You have some idea of what you want to do. And of course you want to do it as inexpensively as possible. So you turn to the Internet and start researching flights and hotels. In today’s

online world, with a multitude of travel sites all promising the best deals, it may seem as if travel agents are destined to become a thing of the past.

But hold on.

Even as an increasing number of travelers are booking their vacations themselves, many people find it’s simply not worth the risk or the time it takes to sort through all the information that’s out there.

“I save them so much time. They don’t have to second guess their resort choice,” says Jennifer Maki, owner of Divine Destinations in Cloquet. “I can say the Internet has actually given me more clients in the last year than it’s taken from me. I get people who call and say, ‘I’ve been online and I’m just overwhelmed. I don’t know what’s a good deal anymore.’ ”

For example, a quick search on Google for the popular vacation destination “Riviera Maya” reveals 2.9 million results. Sorting through all that, you’ll need a vacation.

“A lot of people are booking online, but a lot of people are getting burned as well,” says Rhonda Rutford, owner of Duluth’s Skyline & Destination Travel.

As seasoned travelers themselves, agents can offer recommendations based on personal experience. They also can share feedback gathered from other clients, as well as what they learn from trade publications.

Lisa Hansen, manager of Skyline & Destination Travel, says her experience helps her provide helpful tips, such as reminders to check passport expiration dates, and helps her question her clients to make sure she’s putting together the best trip for their interests. “What do you want to do there? What are your goals? Do you want beach and water

activities? Do you want to visit cultural or historical sites?

A combination of all? Once I get that information from them, I can make suggestions.

“If you’ve got a low budget, I’m still not going to put you at an icky resort just because it fits your budget,” says Hansen. “ I’ll be honest with you, and advise if you have to raise your price so you can have a decent trip. Many times I can meet their budget or find something for even less.

My goal is always when a client comes back from vacation that they say, ‘Wow, that was awesome.’ ”

Travel agents typically are paid by the businesses where they send their clients, such as the resorts, theme parks and cruise ships. An exception to this is airlines, which no longer pay travel agents. In that instance, as well as in the case of reservations that require extra research and planning, agents will charge a small fee for their time. A good travel agent is also good insurance – someone who will help smooth any

unexpected bump in the road.

“We have contacts,” says Maki. “So for instance, I had a client with an issue in Cabo (San Lucas, Mexico). I was able to call the resort and talk to the general manager. We work for the client, not the resorts.”

Rutford described a similar benefit. “The biggest thing is you can talk to people. From the time you decide you want to go on a trip until the time you get home, you have us to work for you. So if there’s a problem on the road, you call us. If you call the airlines directly, you’re at their mercy. If your flight gets cancelled, you’re on the phone with all those other travelers, plus all the rest of the world.”

Hansen, who’s received both calls and e-mails from clients in need of help while on vacation, had plenty of stories to share, including finding rental cars for clients to drive home after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks grounded all flights and helping a traveler evacuate before a hurricane struck.

Maki figures it’s that level of service, combined with the deals she can find, that will keep her profession relevant. She bills herself as part of a new breed of home-based travel agents. “I don’t have huge overheard, so I don’t charge excessive fees. And I’m flexible. My clients love the fact they can reach me 24-7. My customers love that we can meet over coffee or go to a restaurant and have a glass of wine while we discuss their plans.”

Business has been booming for all three of these agents, despite the economy.

“We’re Minnesotans and we need our vacations,” says Maki. “The people who didn’t travel last year, by June had already booked their vacations for this year.”

Hansen agreed. “The colder the winter, the better our business is.” During the cold snap that followed Christmas, she says, “We’d have an office full of clients and someone would walk in saying, ‘Get me out of here’.”

Tags: ln travel, livingnorth