What: Aggressor Adventures Asked Respondents to Name the Reasons They Use a Travel Agent
Adventure travel provider Aggressor Adventures is the latest company to release research highlighting the increasing value of and demand for travel advisors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aggressor’s latest Consumer Travel Index (which tracks consumer sentiments on a bi-monthly basis) put a spotlight on travel agents, asking respondents to name their reasons for booking a trip through an advisor.
Why It Matters: Travel Advisors’ Expertise Is Increasingly Valuable in the Age of COVID-19
The results of Aggressor’s research reveal the pandemic’s impact on travelers’ mindsets, as well as their ongoing concerns related to traveling during the age of COVID-19, especially in terms of booking uncertainties. For example, 78% of respondents indicated a preference for advisors based on their ability to secure refunds or credits, and some 60% use an agent for the ease of rebooking a trip, if necessary. Nearly 40% of respondents said they choose travel agents because of their personalized service offerings.
Aggressor also asked consumers what characteristics and attributes of an agent are most important to them when they travel internationally. Advisors’ expertise proved to be of great value, with 62% of respondents choosing agents based on their knowledge of the country the travelers plan to visit, and 44% looking for advisors with an understanding of local customs and protocols.
What They’re Saying: Consumers Need Travel Advisors’ Help Navigating Uncertainties
“Travel agents have knowledge, expertise and insight you cannot find through digital booking services,” said Wayne Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures. “Now more than ever, when people plan to travel, they want a guarantee that their experience will be seamless, safe and unique to their wants and needs.”
Travel agents have knowledge, expertise and insight you cannot find through digital booking services.
“There is a higher level of uncertainty when it comes to travel nowadays, and consumers need help navigating it all,” said Lisa Stierwalt, a travel agent with Aggressor Adventures. “Travelers enjoy the fact that they can rely on agents to keep up with changing protocols around how to travel safely. We can help travelers make informed decisions about any risks that may arise. That added peace of mind that comes with having a direct line to an expert during these unprecedented times and often confusing policy changes is part of the allure of working with a travel agent.”
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