How Much Do You Know About Travel Agencies?

Travel Agencies: Providing Tourism-Related Services

• Travel agencies offer travel and tourism-related services on behalf of accommodation or travel suppliers to the general public.
• Travel agencies can provide outdoor recreation, arranging logistics for luggage and medical items delivery for travellers upon request, public transport timetables, car rentals, and bureau de change services.
• Travel agencies can also serve as general sales agents for airlines that do not have offices in a specific region.
• Travel agencies’ main function is to act as an agent, selling travel products and services on behalf of a supplier.
• Travel agencies receive commissions and other benefits and incentives from providers or may charge a fee to the end-users.
• Travel agencies use the services of the major computer reservations systems, also known as global distribution systems (GDS).
• Booking Holdings and Expedia Group, both online travel agencies, are the largest travel agencies on the list of top-earning travel companies.
• Travel agencies can be multinational companies, medium-sized organizations, or independent, small companies.
• A traditional travel agent may work for a travel agency or work freelance.
• Travel agencies must be licensed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in many countries.
• Nippon Travel Agency became the first travel agency in Japan in 1905, and in 1929, Intourist was formed as the official state travel agency of the Soviet Union.
• In 2019, there were 82,000 people who worked as travel agents for their full-time jobs, and job prospects should be best for travel agents who specialize in specific destinations or particular types of travelers.