Celia Pentecost

Photo: Jared Grove

It’s Travel Agent Appreciation Day—and to celebrate, we asked a few of the 350 expert Canadian travel agents at the Travel MarketPlace show in Toronto why they think travelers ought to be using their services. Here’s what they said.

1. My clients need us when it comes to booking and planning their dream Destination Wedding, as we make the experience peaceful and easy from beginning to end. We guarantee there will be no arguing, no frustrations, no second-guessing choices, no hesitations. We deal with every detail of travel for you and your guests as well as all the wedding details, with the help of your onsite coordinator, to ensure nothing is missed and your dream wedding comes to fruition. Been there, done that; we have experienced it all. Changes needed? Call or email or WhatsApp us for help with trip adjustments for any reason while in the destination. We are there for you.
- Zackary Leblanc-Amato, Liz Moore Destination Weddings Ltd. 

2. Canadians should use a travel agent to give them peace of mind knowing they are protected under TICO regulations. Travel consultants also make sure you have been notified on what legal documents and requirements are needed for the country you will be visiting. Travelers also are able to find more about a destination or the resort with the knowledge of a travel professional.  An agent will negotiate on your behalf with suppliers on price or any problems that might arise, especially with groups, destination weddings, or any other special event you are planning. And travel consultants have a great working relationship with suppliers. This has many advantages for our travelers, as we often get the preferred locations at resorts or extra bonus privileges for our clients. Booking engines just sell; they cannot help you in any way.
- Dianne Marsden, Travel Consultant, The Travel Agent Next Door  

3. Travel professionals are very careful, in the sense that our business is based on word of mouth. When you entrust $1,000 or more on a trip, you don’t want to do that over the Internet. And I’d ask any agency I considered using if they are an ACTA agency, because ACTA agents have to sign a code of ethics.
- Heather Craig-Peddie, vice president, ACTA, Mississauga 

4. We have consumer protection laws in three provinces of Canada, so in a general sense you are protected when you use a travel agent, and that’s something of real value.
- Mike Foster, president, Nexion Canada 

5. The main reason is our proven expertise. But it’s also important that we are TICO-protected in the province of Ontario—would you buy a TV without a warranty? And a travel professional will make sure you have the right trip with no hidden fees.
- Linda Khanna, director of new business development, TRAVELSAVERS  

6. Travel professionals know how to score the best value for their clients—amenities, shipboard credits, discounts, pre and post land stays, and transportation. We have personal connections with suppliers that give us leverage to secure the products, services, and support that best meet our clients’ needs.
- Marilyn Long, CAA Travel, Charlottetown 

7. Basically an agent helps you dot the i’s and cross the t’s. We make sure that you have a current passport and travel insurance, that you have stopped the mail and told the neighbors you will be away, and that you understand the laws of your destination. If you like to scuba dive, we know where to get your tanks filled. And in the LGBT market, we can advise you on where to be open and where to be cautious. As travel professional work more and more in niche markets, these are the kinds of questions customers are asking.
- Rick Hurlbut, Out Agents, Vancouver 

8. It’s about niche, niche, niche—and especially obscure niches. My niche is Jewish destination weddings. People come to me when they need kosher food. My job is helping properties learn and understand the requirements if they want to handle this piece of business. I know what to ask both the customer and the supplier so they come to understand each others’ needs—and that benefits both of them.
- Sandra Aaron, The Travel Agent Next Door, Toronto 

9. Using a travel professional doesn’t cost more—we may charge a fee but we provide value and personalized services that are worth far more. We are there when there’s a problem. And we provide that one-on-one contact that’s missing when you book online, and the combined experiences of all our customers. We offer reliability, experience, personalized services, and long-term relationships with both our customers and our suppliers. I deal with suppliers that I trust, and my customers deal with me for the same reason.
- Tres Lobo, Aqua Terra Lifestyle Travel, Mississauga
and Cyrus Rustamji, Uniglobe, Toronto 

10. Knowledge. A travel agents’ knowledge helps clients plan the perfect holiday based on their requirements as far as budget, length, and personal preferences.
- Tony Fragapane, Voyages Concierge Deluxe Travel 

11. If something goes wrong, there is a single number to call. For example, we recently had a client traveling to the Philippines who had a heart attack and passed away. There were arrangements to be made for the family and the deceased, refunds for the airfare to be arranged, travel to be booked. And because everything was being handled by one person, it all went smoothly and the family didn’t have to worry.
- Vera Bala, Bala Travel and Tours, Oshawa 

12. To me the big thing is the correct match between clients’ requirements and what’s available. It’s also key that we are there for the client in the event they have a problem—before they go or while they are away.
- David Pierce, Collacutt Travel, Toronto 

13. My personal experiences really resonate with my customers. They can kind of live their dreams through my eyes until they get to the destination and live their own.
- Janice Woods, CAA Travel, Newmarket 

14. Because customers don’t have the time to plan their own trips. When you travel there are lots of options that the travel agent can research for you. If you are a surgeon you shouldn’t be doing travel, just as a travel agent wouldn’t be doing surgery. We are experts in our field, and that allows you to continue to be experts in your own field.
- Syndi Prokopich and Tammy Macintosh, Ixtapa Travel, Winnipeg 

15. Who do you want to be accountable at the end of the day? That’s what we offer—expertise and experience and accountability.
- Liz Fleming, general manager, North South Travel, Vancouver 

16. It’s the passion and the knowledge that we can bring to the travel experience. We’ve been there. We can sift through the clutter, be it online or offline, and interact with you in a way that will draw out the best destination for you to visit.
- Louise Gardiner, Carlson Wagonlit and ACTA treasurer  

17. You have someone to call during the off hours in case things don’t go as planned on your holiday.
- Gail Coppes, Aldershoot Travel, Glenn Morris 

18. Vacation time and the money you spend are both too precious to be putting blindly in the hands of websites. Get the inside scoop, advice, and value for your dollar you deserve. We have endless resources and contacts for any information you may need so you don’t face any doubt or buyer’s remorse.
- Abdul Nazarali, LatitudesPlus Smart Travel