According to the Toronto Star, travel agents are back.
Those of us in the industry know full well agents never left - but good to know they are once again in the limelight. In a big way.
The article “Booking a vacation? Why travel agents are back—and could be the secret to a stress-free trip” describes the vacation-saving skills of a professional advisor, citing "though online booking is convenient and works well for straightforward trips, when it comes to a stress-free, well-planned vacation, travel advisers are your secret weapon." Hear! Hear!
It also calls on a recent StatsCanada report indicating traditional advisors surpassed OTAs in bookings. The report revealed that among three sectors analyzed (traditional agencies, OTAs and tour operators), travel agencies experienced the strongest recovery, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 11.6% in 2023. Operating revenue for the industry reached $2.8 billion in 2023, marking an impressive 55.5%
According to The Star:
Contrary to the misconception that travel agents cater solely to luxury seekers, advisors provide tailored, budget-friendly expertise, streamline planning, and offer protection against scams in an increasingly complex travel landscape.
Most importantly, travel advisors simplify overwhelming travel options by offering recommendations, often at no extra cost, while providing invaluable support during unexpected challenges.
Crisis management is a key reason clients turn to advisors, who use their expertise, contacts, and knowledge to handle trip disruptions caused by illness, strikes, or flight cancellations.
In the age of online booking platforms, many travellers have grown accustomed to planning their trips with the click of a button. However, as illustrated in the Toronto Star, a shift in traveller mentality is gaining momentum across Canada.
According to a recent report from ACTA which also relied on StatsCan data, the 2023 travel boom boosted Canada’s retail travel industry. The industry now employs 21,400 travel agency workers and at least 5,400 independent travel advisors, though the actual number may be higher. ACTA highlights the sector’s resilience, innovation, and role in Canada’s economic recovery, positioning travel advisors as vital players in the evolving travel ecosystem.
“Looking ahead, the data points to a bright future for the Canadian retail travel sector, with strong revenue growth creating a solid foundation for continued innovation and expansion in serving Canadian travellers” said Avery Campbell, ACTA’s Director of Advocacy and Industry Relations.
