4 Ways Travel Agencies Can Provide Unparalleled Service to Customers

Search engines make it easy for internet users to feel like bona fide travel agents these days. And yes, sometimes a quick Google search is all it takes to find a plane ticket or book a one-night hotel stay. But travel agencies have a more comprehensive look at the process of traveling for leisure or work—not to mention a staff of professionals with years of experience under their belts ready to assist customers.

Above all, travel agencies take a load off customers’ minds by handling the logistics with a human touch. They offer advice, troubleshooting, high-level research and more. Competitive agencies need the right combination of tools, knowledge and business insurance for travel agencies to be successful in the modern market.

Here are just four ways travel agencies can provide unparalleled customer service.

The Insider Scoop

Every city has a typical list of tourist activities, many of which are worth seeing once or twice. But working with a travel agency gives customers a chance to leave the beaten path. As Vogue writes, “Rather, it’s about digging deeper into more mainstream destinations or going for lesser-known spots that can really only be accessed with expert assistance.”

Travel agents are often a phone call or email away from on-the-ground advice thanks to a worldwide network of contacts and vendors. For example, the American Society of Travel Agents alone has over 9,000 members and a way for travel suppliers to connect directly with agents. Agents can also draw on past customer feedback to refine their recommendations. In short, agencies have the advantage of an insider scoop.

Intelligent Package Deals

Travel agents can stay competitive by putting together outside-the-box packages for clients. For instance, a client may assume they have to fly from point A to point B when there’s really a train (or boat) for a fraction of the price. It’s not always about the destination; it’s truly the journey in most cases. What can your agency do to keep offering customers creative solutions and unique ways to travel?

Designated Software

Travel agencies use enterprise-level software tools to stay organized, communicate, compare offers and complete bookings. Most at-home consumers have only a search engine to crunch the data and make comparisons. In this way, travel agencies can offer a holistic view of the process to their customers.

Responsive Customer Service

The less glamorous side of traveling is that it involves a lot of pesky details: transfers, upgrades, special requests, cancellations and more. Travel agents are poised to handle these behind-the-scenes logistics, providing great customer service in the process—bonus points for agents who are available at flexible hours through multiple communication platforms.

Just like travel agents ensure their clients have a smooth experience, business insurance for travel agencies insures companies against lawsuits, medical bills, property damage and more. Before an agent can make recommendations, meet with a customer in their commercial space or sign a contract, they need liability coverage against the unexpected.

Explore business insurance policies for travel agencies with CoverHound before you send your clients off to explore the world.