How Online Booking Has Changed the Travel Agent Landscape
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, travel agency jobs have plummeted, dropping about 70% between 2000 and 2021. The proliferation of online travel agencies has made it easier for deal hunters, armchair travelers, and business trip planners to track information and find the best deals at their fingertips. please As travel recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, many travel agencies are witnessing a resurgence.
TravelPerk used BLS data to analyze the decline in U.S. travel agency employment over time, comparing employment with timelines of online travel resources that drove online bookings.
It is important to note the differences between the various booking option services available to you. Travel agents help their clients plan their trips by arranging trips with suppliers.Examples of suppliers include packages his tours, travel insurance, railroads, cruise companies, car rentals, airlines , hotels, etc. Travel agency clients include companies, groups or individuals with vastly different travel needs and expectations. For example, business travelers are spending 50% less on travel than they did pre-pandemic, but as they steadily return, many expect the cost of in-person meetings to resume. We are concerned about mitigation and the prospect of changes to entry restrictions, especially for international travel. Leisure travelers may turn to agents to recommend low-risk yet scenic vacation destinations.
Travel agents can own their own business or work for an agency owned by someone…