Travel Agents

[atuk]

If they are so passé and no longer required why exactly have easyJet Holidays chosen to sell their packages through appointed agencies including Hays Travel, Mid Counties and Advantage?

Or is Is that they provide a vital sterling service After all?

Comments please.

[Allen McL]

Who said they weren't required ? Hays certainly didn't think so when they reopened Thomas Cook branches. Just because a certain section of society needs an "app" for everything, doesn't mean the rest must follow.

[atuk]

Who said they weren't required ? Hays certainly didn't think so when they reopened Thomas Cook branches. Just because a certain section of society needs an "app" for everything, doesn't mean the rest must follow.

It’s the opinion and feedback from many on the Forum that travel agents are irrelevant, although not my personal opinion.

Sad news again with the failure of STA, yet another nail in the coffin.

Anyone who thinks there will be a quick exit and rebound from this will be deeply disappointed as reading the runes there will be less disposable income next year, less folks in full time employment, more pressure to fund the public sector; increased taxes? Or do we sit still, cross fingers and hope this all goes away?

It won’t. The only way to fight back is stick by the rules, take precautions, don’t be afraid to get about and most importantly of all use common sense to all times.

[Clive]

Who said they weren't required ? Hays certainly didn't think so when they reopened Thomas Cook branches. Just because a certain section of society needs an "app" for everything, doesn't mean the rest must follow.

It’s the opinion and feedback from many on the Forum that travel agents are irrelevant, although not my personal opinion.

Sad news again with the failure of STA, yet another nail in the coffin.

Anyone who thinks there will be a quick exit and rebound from this will be deeply disappointed as reading the runes there will be less disposable income next year, less folks in full time employment, more pressure to fund the public sector; increased taxes? Or do we sit still, cross fingers and hope this all goes away?

It won’t. The only way to fight back is stick by the rules, take precautions, don’t be afraid to get about and most importantly of all use common sense to all times.

I can’t remember anyone saying travel agents are irrelevant.

[atuk]

Maybe not irrelevant but I’ve used this word to collectively describe- not used, not required, not knowledgeable or only understand and want to sell what they are instructed to do.

All of which have been stated publicly by folks regaling the role and use of travel agents.

I’m probably like many others. Flight only is on the airline website, package tour operators are more expensive as they wish to sell the package.

For beach holidays and cruises I use TUI ( with a Thomas Cook flight) when this was an available option.

For long haul, citybreak or reward flights it’s BA all the way, the only exceptions being a Oneworld carrier.

[Clive]

Maybe not irrelevant but I’ve used this word to collectively describe- not used, not required, not knowledgeable or only understand and want to sell what they are instructed to do.

Not used, yeah, and incentivised to sell the products HQ want them to sell rather than what might be best for the customer - that would have been me. Haven’t set foot in one since I worked in one about 23 years ago!

Still sickens me when I see ads in my local shop for holidays ex MAN or flights with Qatar Airways, etc. Mind you that was when it was Thomas Cook. It’s been taken over by Hays Travel and they’ve not had much of anything since lockdown hit.

[Jeremy Kemp]

Hi

Travel agents do have their use.

We use them for our far east trips as these involve multiple flights, destinations, hotels, trips and transit travel etc. These have all previously gone to plan and reduce the stress apart from also being ATOL covered.
For Europe holidays on line is best.

JK

[Allen McL]

I see John Hays, founder of Hays Travel has passed away suddenly after collapsing at work. RIP Mr Hays...

[Irnbrukid]

Travel Agents will always have appeal to some travellers. Travel Agents may not continue to have the same physical presence on the High St. Running costs of offices relative to declining number of walk in customers will be a significant factor. My local travel agent on a busy high street had a glass fronted fronted office. I passed the office multiple times a day and it was a rare occurrence to see any customers sitting at any of the 3 Reps desks. The reps however regularly appeared to be on the phone. I’d made use of this travel agent on a number of occasions to book long haul holidays and associated side trips & activities. Prior to Covid I had noticed less staff visible. The office has now permanently closed but I’m regularly emailed by the company that they can respond to my travel queries by phone or email....so travel agents may continue to provide a great service but not face to face in an office setting.