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Different-types-of-travel-agencies
By Cynthia Andrews
The main function of any agency is to, of course, act as an agent. This includes selling tickets and products, reservations, and so on, on behalf of one or several suppliers. agents generally work with no charge to the traveler him or herself. Rather, the agent takes a small commission from the overall cost. Again, this isn't added on top of the sale or anything like that. Rather, their commission is taken out of the advertised price.
So why go through a agent? Well, besides the simplicity and convenience, the main draw is that agents receive tickets at significant discounts.
This is pretty much how agencies work the world over. However, there are a few different types of agents…
General Sales Agents for Foreign Companies
A general sales agent is something like a tourism ambassador. A company with its headquarters located in, say, Japan, might set up agency offices all around the world to encourage tourism to the country where their headquarters is located. The agent will still seek to find better deals for their customers (as, after all, that's what turns a customer into a return customer), so they are not indebted to any one airline or hotel, but, they do tend to focus strictly on to, and within, the country where their headquarters is located.
Business and Commercial Agencies
Most agencies have a department of business and a department of leisure travel. The needs for one traveler and the other tend to vary in a few significant ways, and so, splitting up the duties amongst a couple of departments can help to allow either department to specialize, finding better deals for business travelers on the one hand, and better deals for leisure travelers on the other. However, there are also agencies that specialize strictly in business and commercial travel. Incidentally, there aren't a whole lot of agencies that restrict themselves solely to leisure travel.
By Class
In the United States, there are several main types of agencies: corporate-owned national chains, national/international franchises, membership associations -- such as AAA -- and independent, locally owned agencies with no brand or corporate affiliation. National chains will have the most consistent policies and pricing not matter where you go, and often the best international "hotline" customer service, but not always. Big-name franchises offer similar perks but different local owners can opt out of certain promotions and pricing specials. Membership-based associations are often less commission-focused since they rely on member fees. Independent agencies tend to cater to niche markets, such as assisting sports teams, church and school groups looking for inexpensive travel, and large group options.
Cargo
Seattle's secret is out: Lake Chelan, Washington
If you live in Seattle or Spokane, Lake Chelan is your summer go-to spot. Best of all, few Californians know of it. But that's about to change.<br/><br/>CHELAN, Wash. — Just say the words "summer at the lake" in certain company, and you'll get a wistful smile, possibly followed by stories about fishing contests, belly-flops, mosquito bites, campfire songs, sexual awakening, lingering regret, family feuds, winterizing expenses and the prospect that the mortgage interest tax deductions for second homes might someday be disallowed.
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Weekend Escape: The small-town charms of Arroyo Grande
The Central Coast town features Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Lab, Gather Wine Bar, Santa Manuela Schoolhouse and a swinging bridge.<br/><br/>The sleepy Central Coast town of Arroyo Grande, population 17,000, is the ideal place to shut out the mayhem of city life for a few days. There's not much to do except relax, drink wine, read your book and take sunset strolls.
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A taste of India's street food
A visitor and his guide in Delhi ignore the tourist's taboo against street food to snack on dosa, uttapam and KFC's Zing Kong Box. It's all quite delectable.<br/><br/>DELHI, INDIA — Delhi, India, is closed today.
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75th birthday celebration for the Golden Gate Bridge
For starters, the famous orange-painted span finally has a visitors center. Then there's a gala in San Francisco next weekend with exhibits, films and more.<br/><br/>As its 75th birthday fast approaches, the Golden Gate Bridge is getting a little birthday present. Even though about 40 million vehicles cross it each year and visitors come in droves daily to admire and photograph it, the spectacular span has never had a visitor center. That is, until this month.
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Portland, Ore., is a smaller, cleaner, wetter alternative to L.A.
Pacific Pie Co., Oblation print shop and the Pearl District are part of the town's charms. Hotel Modera has original art and an upscale restaurant, Nel Centro.<br/><br/>The Portland Hop. I know, it sounds like a dance craze in 1937. But really, it's what you do when Southern California gets you down and you need to drink small-batch beer, eat Northwestern locavore meals and see bike commuters in the rain. My wife, daughter and I hit Portland, Ore., for a few days last August. Here's the report.
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Old California and good grub in San Juan Capistrano
The Orange County town boasts a famous mission and the returning swallows (sometimes). It also has great restaurants, a heritage museum and more.<br/><br/>What an appealing slice-of-life California town, an easy day trip by car or train. Come for the history, stay for the food. This restaurant-intensive ranch town is the oldest community in Orange County. If San Juan Capistrano — or SJC — had a dating profile it would say: "Self-deprecating, authentic, still likes a good time."
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MachineGunsVegas, Guns & Ammo Garage: Pull the trigger on a trip
Las Vegas indoor gun ranges MachineGunsVegas and Guns & Ammo Garage are fun but can be pricey. Consider a cheap but pleasant stay at the Plaza.<br/><br/>Two new Las Vegas venues invite guests to — quite literally — have a blast. Letting loose with high-powered firearms may not be everyone's idea of a good time, but my visits to two indoor gun ranges suggested just how popular they are with tourists.
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Wining and dining on the Ventura coast
Old Creek Ranch Winery has a tasting room and patio, and Anacapa Brewing Co. is worth a visit. Serra Cross Park offers tranquil views of the Channel Islands. <br/><br/>Ask a Venturan and he or she will tell you that the city is both the end of Southern California and the beginning of the central part of the state. With a gorgeous coastline, an affinity for agriculture, a happening night life and a healthy enthusiasm for all things vino, this duality isn't just a clever marketing campaign — it's the real deal.
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Tour luxurious Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage
The 200-acre Annenberg estate, now open to the public, has hosted political and Hollywood power players.<br/><br/>Sunnylands, the 200-acre Annenberg estate in Rancho Mirage that hosted five decades of political and Hollywood luminaries behind its pink walls, opened to the public for the first time in March. Consider this 20,000-square-foot dwelling, set in a far-as-the-eye-can-see expanse of golf course green, as a latter-day incarnation of the Gilded Age mansions of Newport, R.I. Inside the house, digital reproductions of the Annenbergs' $1-billion-plus Impressionist art collection compete for space on the few walls not made of glass.
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In San Francisco's Mission District, touring Clarion Alley murals
Take one of the mural tours or see them on your own. The Inn, a Victorian B&B, has a hot tub and antiques. Bi-Rite Market and Pizzeria Delfina offer good eats.<br/><br/>The fantastical murals of San Francisco's Mission District are an intriguing dialogue between artists and their city that you can easily experience on foot. On any given day in Clarion Alley, tourists from all over the world mingle with field-tripping students (and the homeless). Start at the Mission Street end of Clarion Alley, then exit at Valencia Street and head south (turn left). Check out the murals all the way to 20th Street. Typically, walk one or two blocks (east or west) to view. Murals include "Vamos Gigantes" (19th Street between San Carlos and Lexington streets), "MaestraPeace" (18th between Linda and Lapidge streets) and "Mission Pool" (Linda Street at 19th Street). Or take one of four mural tours offered by Precita Eyes ([415] 285-2287, http://www.precitaeyes.org ; no tour more than $15), a mural arts organization in the Mission.
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Travel Agencies
A few agencies specialize in shipping cargo. Of course… that's not entirely relevant if you're looking to fly for business or personal reasons. Still, this should go to show how many different areas an individual agency can specialize in.
Online Agencies
One of the real boons to the agency industry has been the use of the internet to allow agents to let their travelers compare a wide variety of options for hotels and airline tickets. Ironically, there was some fear for a period of time that, by selling tickets directly to travellers, the agencies would go out of business. However, a handful of agencies have proven that, even if you can find good deals yourself, there are still instances where a agency can find you an even better one. Many traditional bricks-and-mortar agencies now have full-service web sites so that you can get the best of both worlds: convenience of self-serve online booking with the benefit of talking to a real person when you need it.
Multi-Destination and Niche Agencies
If you want to split it up into just two types of agency, you have multi-destination and niche. Multi-destination out-bound agencies are usually larger, offering flights to just about anywhere. Niche agencies are usually independent, and focus on one specific part of the world. If you're flying to say, Greece, you might find a niche agent who knows the area very, very well. Most of these niche agencies cater mainly to people with family in that country, or who do business there on a regular basis.
Consider your individual needs, preferences, and trip objectives when choosing your agent. Different types of agencies provide different levels and types of services. If you are a frequent globe trotter, you may want to use a large corporate agency with many branches in countries all over the world. Or you may view travelling as a treasure hunt or puzzle, where researching and finding the most off-the-map places is half of the fun. If this is the case, a niche operator may be just the right partner for you. Article Source: http://www.upublish.info About the Author:
Cynthia Andrews
About Author:
Cynthia Andrews is a freelance writer who writes about the industry and vacation tips often discussing specific benefits and deals one would find through working with a travel agency. Ready to copy Article in either text or html format:
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