Travel Agents Are Back—Do You Need One?

Travel agents have gone slowly out of style since the early 2000s.

On one hand, it’s about our perception of what ‘real’ travel is. Reality travel shows like Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and Passport to Europe popularized the idea of getting off the tourist track and into unknown lands.

On the other hand, it’s also about saving money. Most people believe that planning trips themselves can help them save big on flights, hotels, and more. This focus on savings has been important, especially considering more young travelers and students have hit the road over the last twenty years.

Pre-COVID, travel agencies seemed like vestiges of a long-last past.

Now, however, dozens of travel publications are reporting on the rise in bookings through travel agencies.

Gone are the days of getting into the nitty-gritty of researching, planning, and implementing complex trips—at least, for some travelers.

If you’ve taken a step back from travel agencies over the last decade or so, you aren’t alone. But why not take another look at whether handing over the reins to a trained professional might be right for you?

Here are the five surest signs that you would benefit from working with a travel agent to plan your next vacation.

Reason #1: You Have Funds, Not Time

Travelers know: t takes a lot of time and energy to plan a multi-leg trip. The farther from home, the higher the stakes. The more destinations on that trip, the more complex the demands.

In other words, planning a truly memorable trip is basically a part-time job.

Actually, it is a job—a full-time one that many people have trained for years to excel in. If you have the funds to put together a great trip but simply lack the energy and spare time, then pass it off to an expert. It’s that easy.

Reason #2: Your Trip is for Rejuvenation

If you’re traveling to drop off the map and relax, then don’t waste your precious time and energy planning.

Once again, it makes more sense to hand over the reins to an agent who will craft a calming trip for you. One that doesn’t include any short airline connections or murky questions about travel insurance.

When an agent plans your trip, all you need to do is show up with the necessary equipment for a great trip. Depending on how in-depth their planning is, you might not need to lift a finger at all—just follow directions when someone points you onward to a hotel room, restaurant, or tour.

Reason #3: You Have Specific Themes or Needs in Mind

Travel agents regularly use their experience and connections to create tailored vacations.

Like the name ‘agent’ suggests, they tend to have a lot of contacts in the travel world. Even if they don’t have direct experience creating the trip of your dreams, they have the resources to make it a reality.

Many travel agencies offer some type of specialized focus. These cover themes like ancestral tours that explore family trees or tours that focus on history, such as visiting WWI sites.

On the other hand, specialized travel agencies can also focus on client needs, including tours geared toward autistic travelers and tours designed for disabled travelers.

Reason #4: You Know Jack About the Destination

The less you know about a place, the more help you’ll need when planning a vacation.

While most travelers look forward to exploring a new culture and lifestyle, these obstacles can be difficult for travelers to navigate. From language barriers to what it means to be ‘on time’, it helps to have a basic understanding of your destination.

If that’s a little too hefty for you to manage, then let a travel agent do the heavy lifting.

Not only do they have experience planning trips to just about anywhere, but they also have a strong understanding of what types of concerns visitors usually have. Both will set you up for success.

Reason #5: You Want Accountability

One of the greatest risks of planning a trip is knowing what to do when things go wrong. There’s rarely a straightforward solution, as each problem is born from unique circumstances.

Every traveler has felt the sinking doom of running into one of these problems on the road.

Travel agents might not be omnipotent, but they’re usually the first resource when it comes to things going wrong.

If the hiccup was their fault, they’ll take immediate accountability to rectify the issue. Even if the obstacle you face isn’t their fault, they’ll still probably have a few spare ideas to help you solve your problem.