Explore Deeply: When and Why You Should Book Your Trip with a Travel Agency or Advisor Instead of Doing It Yourself
Travel Agencies have operated long before the very first commercial flight. Before travel agencies existed, it was a luxury for the “elite”. Travel was often arranged through personal connections, letters of introduction, and hired guides. Travel was about status, culture, and access, much like it is today.
Many people are familiar with the idea of a travel agency and using an advisor, but understanding the full picture of an agency can take time, as each advisor and agency has their own offerings. Not to mention, credit card companies now have their own internal agencies, often competing with on-the-ground advisors working for agencies. So, we aim to answer just why and when you should book your trip with a travel agency or advisor, and it won’t include the overwhelm of viral social media posts and Google's top searches.
The beginning of travel agencies began years ago in 1758, when Cox & Kings in Mumbai, India, began operating under Richard Cox, primarily servicing the army. Thomas Cook, a name heavily mentioned when researching the start of agencies, happened to be the second, organizing a group train for 500 people. He negotiated group rates with rail companies and eventually expanded to international tours. By the late 1800s, Thomas Cook & Son offered hotel vouchers, rail passes, organized excursions, early “package tours” and more; revolutionizing the travel game and monetizing coordination and access.
After WWII, commercial flights expanded and exploded! Travel agencies became mainstream, agents started using airline reservation systems, and began earning commissions from airlines and hotels. By the 1980s, nearly all flights were booked through agencies. This was the golden era of brick-and-mortar travel agencies.
Once the internet came through, it completely disrupted the travel agency business. Using sites like Expedia (1996), Travelocity, and Priceline, consumers were able to book directly. Airline commissions were cut, and thousands of agencies closed. This forced the sector to pivot. Now, we end up back where the sector was crafted – guiding niche markets, catering to clients who enjoy luxury, designing complex itineraries, and coordinating group and experiential travel. We who have survived have become specialists. I say we because I grew up watching my mom as an agent, and have seen up close how the industry has changed.
How we travel today is mostly reflective of a post-911 America. TSA was created in November 2001. Before that time, security was handled by private contractors, not the Federal government. There were no shoe removals for searches, liquids weren’t restricted, and you could even meet passengers at the gate. Since then, surveillance and border-restriction has increased dramatically.
Today, agencies are boutique, brand-driven, relationship-focused experience curators and access brokers. Travelers aren’t looking for “booking help”; they want curation, access, status, seamless logistics, and to save their time. That is exactly what we offer at The GoGo Travel Agency.
FIRST, PRACTICALITY
Travel agencies do this for a living. That means we work beyond the social media post to curate and share expert knowledge. We know destinations, resorts, cruise lines, visa rules, and seasonal nuances, helping you avoid costly mistakes. With our expertise, we’re able to guide on travel insurance, entry requirements, health rules, and emergency support.
In addition to providing expertise, agencies are designed to save you time. Instead of you spending your precious time comparing flights, hotels, and reviews, we narrow down the best options and quickly get you better value for your money, along with other financial benefits like access to negotiated rates, bundled packages, and added perks that aren’t publicly available.
Finally, with our expertise comes incredible safety & risk management. With our partners, we’re able to select the best-rated places all around the world.
STRESS REDUCTION
With everything in motion, stress can easily creep in, but by using a travel agency, you immediately experience stress reduction, knowing you have a travel advocate in your corner providing support before, during, and after your trip.
Before your trip, we plan and coordinate every detail of your trip. From flights to custom itineraries crafted around your passions, we offer concierge-level support all handled for you. During your trip, we’re available 24/7 for any changes or hiccups that need assistance, allowing you the moment to continue enjoying your trip, while we handle behind the scenes. After your trip, we’re able to ensure that you reflect on your trip positively, whether we need to advocate for a previous encounter or help you write your trip reviews.
When you plan with a travel agency, you can plan knowing that you have one point of contact for your entire trip, simplifying planning and execution.
SOMEONE WHO GETS YOU
Using a travel advisor at a travel agency is a relationship-based service. That means you shop for us based on aligned passions and how well we get along, literally. Building long-term relationships with us allows us to anticipate your preferences, like budget, interests, and travel style, instead of generic search results.
Further, when using a travel agency, you sign up for a travel advocate who will be there if something goes wrong. You have a professional advocating on your behalf, not just putting you on and taking you off a customer service hold. Flight canceled? Hotel overbooked? We fix issues while you relax.
YOUR INTERNATIONAL PLUG
Your travel advisor is your international plug. We get insider access, often knowing which rooms are best, which tours sell out, and what areas to avoid. We have the logistics bogged down for each location, coordinating transfers, tours, dining reservations, and special experiences seamlessly. And, we even get access to sold-out experiences, sometimes securing reservations at fully booked hotels, cruises, or restaurants.
The GoGo Travel Agency has our feet on the ground in NYC. With partners locally, nationally, and internationally, we exist to elevate any experience.
WE KNOW LUXURY TRAVEL + WE’LL GET YOU THERE
Our favorite thing to do is upgrade, upgrade, upgrade. Sometimes, upgrading is upgrading your flight. Other times, it’s upgrading your tour experiences. Either way, the suite life is always our favorite place to be, and if we can offer you a rate that might be a better value for your money, we’ll always recommend it!
Travel advisors at travel agencies can also get you VIP amenities, like access to member reward discounts and perks depending on the hotel brand, as well as possible room upgrades, resort credits, complimentary breakfast, spa perks, and late checkout, all often included. We’re also able to offer exclusive access like private tours, after-hours museum visits, invite-only experiences; Private Transfers & VIP Airport Services to Fast-track security, lounge access, luxury car transfers, and Elite Status Benefits, being a part of many networks (Virtuoso, Signature, etc.) that unlock premium privileges. Using a travel agency gets you private access to our networks.
Travel agencies and advisors like The GoGo Travel Agency aren’t just for booking your travel; we elevate your experiences. Aside from designing complex itineraries like multi-destination trips, we also get to know you and everyone you travel with on a personal level to curate memories with detail, flow, and personalization.
