Gone are the days of a long trip to the travel agents (although they still exist) where they work hard to help their clients take in vast amount of information to make their best traveling decision. Nowadays with the ease of the Internet, people are far more likely to get advice and book their trips via a website, such as Expedia, Orbitz, Booking.com or directly from the airline provider site, hotel site, car rental site and so on.
Just like movie rental stores, music stores and book stores, travel agencies have become somehow obsolete due to e-commerce technology. Employment for travel agents have declined significantly in the last decade, and it is expect to decrease even more in the years to come.
The reasons why?
- Booking travel online gives consumers a greater sense of control - especially compared to placing their trust in a travel agent or a phone sales representative.
- It successfully duplicates the key features of offline markets: good locations, strong retail activity, secure payment, fast delivery, and readily available customer service.
- It is convenient and cost effective, and it provides customers with the possibility of researching and finding good deals.
You are right about this: I have notgone to the travel agency for many years; I buy my plane tickets on line. Expedia sends me information about discounts and special vacation deals.
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