by Donald Wood
Last updated: 7:00 PM ET, Wed January 20, 2016
Using a travel agent to help book a vacation is the easiest way to cut through the congestion of online options, as evidence by a report from Ohio suggests local agents have seen their client numbers rise recently.
According to Allison Slonaker of AkronLegalNews.com, many travel agents in the Ohio area are working with an increasing number of clients who are coming back after several years of using online booking websites.
In short, travelers are looking for a more personal and honest relationship with a travel agent, as opposed to just interacting with a computer and reading online reviews. People want to use the knowledge and expertise of an agent to help them maximize their trips, something many websites simply can't offer.
AkronLegalNews.com spoke to Grandview Travel advisor Susan Heitkamp about the swing in customers using travel agents:
"Over the past several years there's been a significant increase in the number of people booking travel online and it has certainly impacted our industry. Interestingly enough, though, we're beginning to see a number of people coming back to brick and mortar agencies. The industry has seen an increase in traffic as clients and prospects realize the value in having a professional book the trips for them. We get to know our clients. We give them the best recommendations possible within their budgets. We give them our experience and opinion.
Another reason behind the recent increase in travelers using agents to help them book their vacations is the fact that more people are hitting the road right now. With a strong economy and the value of the American dollar even stronger internationally, the travel industry is thriving once again.
Heitkamp also told Slonaker that local travel agents in Ohio have seen increasing interest in international trips to Europe and Asia, as well as a newfound focus on expeditions to the once off-limits island nation of Cuba. The travel agent also reported that domestic vacations to Orlando, Maui, Hawaii and Alaska have been on the rise.
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