To use a travel agent or not?

As owner of Dugan's Travels, a travel agency, I often hear from people saying that no one uses a travel agent anymore. It is true that there are so many websites out there and it is super easy to go to a hotel chain's website and book a hotel for a couple of nights.  Anyone believing this isn't true hasn't seen the statistics showing that 65.8 of all the travel booked in 2011 was booked at the supplier's (ie Marriott, Holiday Inn etc) website.

Does this mean people are over using travel agents?  No not at all.  It is just people tend to use a travel agent for more complicated trips than a simple hotel booking.  Does this mean a travel agent doesn't want this business?  That depends on the travel agent.  At Dugan's Travels we will take any trip big or small because we want to be your go to agent for anything you need.  That being said, when I have a client who does want to make their own hotel booking, I don't shame them or act offended.  I do give them my travel agent number so that they can still do it as they want but then hopefully the agency will in turn get the credit.

I think agents who get mad or angry that someone doesn't use them is just spinning their wheels.  Some people are comfortable doing their own reservations.  Some people are just quick to the point get it done.  They remember at 1am they need a hotel for the  next week business trip.  Why not embrace it and realize that is what our world is like.  I tell friends or family, it is okay if you book it and if you put in my information if there is any problems I can help you.  Otherwise my hands are tied at what I can help you on.  I don't think they can't handle booking a simple hotel for a couple of nights.  My friends, family and clients are smart people! I believe they can do things on their own and if they need me, I am an email or phone call away.

I think as a travel agent I need to know what people are doing and not get offended but learn to embrace it.  This might be while I am still around as an agency while so many others have given up.

So to all your travelers out there, I don't feel it is right for anyone to shame you because you want to book your own travel online... just contact us so that we can have a part of it and help you if you need us!  Once our information is on a booking, we can help out.  It's okay and we still want you to be our customer!