A decade of difference
Travel advisors weigh in with their thoughts on how the industry has changed
“A travel agent has to wear many hats… It has become one of the most emotionally and mentally demanding jobs out there — you have to be quick to think on your feet as there is so much out of your control and you have to be one of the most patient calm cool and collected people on the planet as wait times for tour operator calls can be lengthy.”
Jeannie Brown
Lime Time Travel - TPI, Wellington, NS
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“Work harder and make less. More specialization. With the ever expanding ‘competition’ a travel advisor really needs to be on top of product knowledge. We need to show our value. It’s a ‘job’ you really have to love to do it right.”
Christine Cameron-Ebel
TPI, Belleville, ON
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“It has had its challenges but the trend is going away from booking online and seeking comfort and security in the travel agency.”
Donna Fraser
Marlin Travel, Kamloops, BC
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“Harder, we need to know more and more all the time. Access to all the same knowledge is available to the general public.”
Vicki Gushue
Tripcentral.ca, Hamilton, ON
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“The internet has changed our job we have to work harder to get the sale.”
Carolyn Andrychuk
Transat Travel, Edmonton, AB
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“More specialized. Most people can book air tickets or hotels online by themselves or use their industry points. Travel Agents provide value and expertise for the ‘not usual’ vacation that is more complicated for most people.”
Allan Flemming
Jane's Worldwide Travel, Sherwood Park, AB
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“Travel agents get less perks now then they ever used to. I have heard about the glory days/good old days. Sad I missed out. People constantly wonder why we are still around. Even I didn’t realize how much work goes into being a travel agent until I became one.”
Katherine Skittrell
Flight Centre Chilliwack, Chilliwack, BC
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“Our job in many ways has become more complex. 1) Clients come to us armed with far more research and information than ever before and sometimes it’s helpful but often it seems to make things more muddled. 2) Technology within our own booking systems such as Apollo or Sabre isn’t keeping up with the same pace as many of the 3rd party options.”
Carey Duncan
Travel Quest, Portage la Prairie, MB
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“I have only been in the travel industry for five years, however, from what I have found from my colleagues who have been in the business for 10 years or longer, they have said technology has also made the booking process more seamless for agents, with an ever-increasing number of cruise, tour and hotel brands enabling travel agents to book their products online. Research has also become much easier for agents to access info through the internet and also with social groups for more agents supporting each other.”
