The internet provides a way for travelers to handle their holidays themselves, for “free”.

Websites also deliver a variety of choices to travelers in the comfort of their homes - for “free”!

Why someone should pay for a service they think a search engine can provide?

As a travel agent you know the difference you can make to their journey and it’s just a matter of communicating this effectively.

Many people know how to get to a place, but not much about what comes next. Market yourself as the source of invaluable information, be it through first hand experience or simply through the experiences of your previous clients. Let them know that you have crafted unforgettable travel experiences before and will do the same for them.

Find some advocates to back you up, generate some positive word of mouth, some stories with the words “I could not have done this without my travel agent”.

Travelers today need to understand that your services streamline the entire journey, reduce risk, increase pleasure, take the stress out of your holiday.

You know how accurate every brochure is and which ones really capture the essence of the location. More importantly, your network can make things a lot easier, with special discounts, promotions and quick solutions to common problems.

You might seem like a luxury to travelers who believe they can handle a trip to a foreign country by themselves. Although it is possible to do so, why should they work hard to coordinate their travel when they should be enjoying themselves?

Make it clear that travel and travel agents go hand in hand and to forgo their services could actually prove much more expensive.

The most important thing you can do that the internet cannot is a build a relationship with your clients. You can know them and their specific travel related needs and limitations. In time you will be able to build enough trust for them to ask you to surprise them with holiday ideas.

That is your biggest strength; make sure you use it to its full potential.