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Support Your Local Travel Agent
Working with the Travel Industry to Promote Easier and Safer travel
Why use a Travel Agent?
Travel agencies concern themselves with booking business and vacation trips for clients.Good agents are knowledgeable in common destinations, major companies (airline, train, and rental car), and accommodations.
They are also familiar with popular sights and attractions to areas.
Most agents themselves enjoy traveling and having a wealth of personal experience and information from colleagues, friends and clients who are giving them constant feedback. Often an agent will be one of the first to know about recent changes to specific destinations
Aren't travel agencies more expensive? Often I can get a cheaper flight or package from the Internet.
Yes, often the Internet and discount travel is cheaper. Previously Travel agents were given commissions by airlines but these have been cut back. Agents now charge a service fee for planning a trip. This may make a trip slightly more expensive overall but not so in value.
Travel agents can put together packages involving flights, accommodations, car rentals and excursions that would otherwise be more expensive independently.
Other Considerations
Travel agents can also plan around national holidays where stores and attractions may be closed abruptly interrupting a vacation. Travel Agents and Airline DelaysTravel agencies can also help reschedule airline tickets much quicker and to your advantage than a service counter at an airline. Often some terminals will not have a service representative available or will have a very long line up for the only one. Airline lines can be very slow but your travel agent may offer immediate assistance from a cell phone .
Bring your Cell phone
Although cell phones are not permitted for use on airplanes many passengers immediately phone their agent when they find out their flight has been delayed or cancelled. Having that extra time to confirm or change a connection can save the trip.
Travel Agents and Visas and Passports
Travel Agents will know the requirements for travelers entering specific countries.
Some countries demand a visa to enter their country, which may sometimes be purchased at the border or else in advance. Proper documentation such as passport, visa applications, and visa fee must be correctly submitted to the proper Embassy.
Travel agents can let you know the visa requirements for your destination and also help you to process this paper work.
Independent travelers who book themselves directly with airlines or the Internet must check this themselves. Other requirements for Travel
Travel agencies may also inform you if a certificate of Vaccination against Yellow fever, or meningitis is required of travelers entering certain countries. These requirements are mandated by the laws of different countries to prevent the spread of diseases into their area.
Will a travel Agent tell me what vaccinations I need for a trip?
No. Travel agents are not physicians and although they may give you information about what many people are getting immunized against they cannot be held liable for giving medical advice. They can give you the information to contact an experienced travel clinic.
What about recommending malaria medication?
Travel agents may comment if malaria is present in an area but this should also be checked with a travel clinic. Even if malaria medication is needed this needs to be personally assessed by a Nurse or Doctor since some medications are not appropriate for some individuals or destinations.
A travel agent is there to plan and book you a trip. Holding them accountable for medical advice is not fair to them. What about fitness to Scuba Dive, Mountain Climb or just fly? How will my travel agent assess if I can do these or other activities?
Your agent cannot do these things for you. Seeing a family physician and getting an assessment of you health will help you make these decisions.
What should I do if I am pregnant or traveling with small children?
There are many packages recommended for families within North America.
If there is any doubt for an overseas destinations you should consult a travel medicine clinic.
Looking for a Good Travel Agent
There are many types of agencies that may specialize in different types of travel.
Choose one that fits your needs. Some may specialize in types of travel like Cruising, Trekking or City tours. Others have specific knowledge about specific geographic areas.
Checklist of items to discuss with a Travel Agent
• Cost • Flexibility of dates • Knowledge of destination • Services for seniors, pregnant women, Children and those with Disabilities or Illness. • Accessibility of Agent • Health and Trip Insurance Coverage Health and Travel
In our modern age of travel we are frequently confronted with delays and cancellation causing stress.
A well-planned vacation through a qualified agency may minimize travel stress with an improvement in health.
Longer indirect flights are associated with fatigue, poor sleep, jet lag, and muscular aches. Prolonged immobilization and lack of exercise adds unwanted weight gain.
Recently prolonged air travel has also been associated with blood clots in the legs of airplane travelers.
Passengers are subjected to poor food and dehydration.
Frequent business travelers are also more prone to psychological stress personally with strains on family relations.
Having normal schedules allows people to take their medications on time, exercise regularly, and eat nutritious food while avoiding junk food.
Having a travel agent plan and assist your trip can get you to your destination more efficiently and over time be better for your health.
Dr Gary Podolsky prepared this pamphlet for submission to the International Society of Travel Medicine Subcommittee on Creating Liaisons with the Travel Industry. Comments are welcome.
Skylark Medical Clinic264 Tache ave. Winnipeg MB R2H 1Z9 204.453.9107
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