Dear Travel Agents,
In order to contact travel agents en masse, you have to either contact
their professional association ; or try directories as listed below.
You can also try to use Local search at Google Local, if you are
looking for travel agents in a specific region.
Professional Associations
=========================
USA
ASTA - The American Society of Travel Agents
<http://www.astanet.com/>
1101 King Street, Ste. 200, Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: 703.739.2782 | Fax: 703.684.8319
askasta@astahq.com
Find an ASTA member
<http://www.astanet.com/about/agentsearch.asp>
The Association of Retail Travel Agents (ARTA)
<http://www.artaonline.com/>
UK
The Association of British Travel Agents
<http://www.abta.com/> (a mechanism to finding a travel agent exists in the site).
A.B.T.A. 68-71 Newman St., London W1T 3AH
WATA - List of members worldwide
<http://www.wata.net/wata/WATA%20GLOBAL%20DIRECTORY.pdf> (PDF)
WATA
WORLD ASSOCIATION OF TRAVEL AGENCIES (WATA) :: 11, Ch. Riant-Coteau -
1196 GLAND - Switzerland
Phone: (+41-22) 995 15 45 :: Fax: (+41-22) 995 15 46 :: E-mail: wata@wata.net _
Other Ways to Contact
=====================
Travel Agents - Contact Details
<http://www.0-0.com/Categories/Recreation%20&%20Entertainment/Travel/travel.htm>
- several lists with contact details of travel agents, worldwide and
by country; for a fee.
SuperPages (US)
<http://yellowpages.superpages.com/yp.cbSearch.jsp?STYPE=S&CB=1&CID=00000521071&epId=17241&cbdt=Travel+Agents&catID=17503&L=++>
- enter city name to get names of travel agents in it.
List of Travel Agencies online
<http://www.travel.org/agents.html>
Yahoo! - Dierctory of Travel Agents
<http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Travel_and_Transportation/Agents/>
Travel Sense - Find a Travel Agent
<http://www.travelsense.org/search/agentsearch.asp>
List of British Travel Agencies (and their contact details)
<http://www.britishcompanies.co.uk/travelagents.htm>
Travel Agents - UK
<http://www.marketresearch.com/product/display.asp?productid=1077902&g=1>
- market research for a fee (would also include information on how
they operate). Simialr market research also exists regarding US travel
agents.
Australia - Travel Agents - list
<http://www.australiatravelsearch.com.au/Booking_Agents_&_Visitor_Centres/Travel_Agents/>
Yahoo! Directory - Australian Travel Agents
<http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/Australia/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Travel_and_Transportation/Agents/>
Yahoo! Directory - UK Travel Agents
<http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/United_Kingdom/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Travel_and_Transportation/Agents/>
Travel Agencies - Listing
<http://www.scaruffi.com/travel/agencies.html>
Travel Agencies (WW Travel Source).
<http://www.wwtravelsource.com/Travel-Agencies.htm>
Online Travel Agencies
<http://www.seniority.co.uk/directory/?catID=321>
Harvey World Travel - Conatct Details
<http://www.harveyworld.com.au/aboutus/about.cfm>
Travel Agencies - FindTravelTo
<http://www.findtravelto.com/australasia_australia_travel_agencies.html>
DMOZ Travel Agencies
<http://dmoz.org/Regional/Oceania/Australia/Travel_and_Tourism/Travel_Services/Travel_Agents/>
Cruise Travel Agencies web sites
<http://www.cybercruises.com/travelagencies.htm>
Switch Board - Travel Agencies
------------------------------
<http://www.switchboard.com/Find/Travel_Agencies.asp>
By State:
--------
Alabama
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/AL/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Alaska
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/AK/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Arizona
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/AZ/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Arkansas
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/AR/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
California
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/CA/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Colorado
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/CO/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Connecticut
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/CT/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Delaware
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/DE/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Florida
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/FL/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Georgia
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/GA/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Hawaii
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/HI/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Idaho
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/ID/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Illinois
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/IL/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Indiana
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/IN/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Iowa
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/IA/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Kansas
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/KS/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Kentucky
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/KY/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Louisiana
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/LA/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Maine
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/ME/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Maryland
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/MD/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Massachusetts
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/MA/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Michigan
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/MI/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Minnesota
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/MN/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Mississippi
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/MS/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Missouri
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/MO/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Montana
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/MT/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Nebraska
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/NE/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Nevada
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/NV/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Nwe Hampshire
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/NH/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
New Jersey
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/NJ/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
New Mexico
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/NM/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
New York
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/NY/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
North Carolina
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/NC/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
North Dakota
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/ND/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Ohio
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/OH/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Oklahoma
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/OK/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Oregon
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/OR/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Pennsylvania
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/PA/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Rhode Island
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/RI/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
South Carolina
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/SC/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
South Dakota
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/SD/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Tennessee
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/TN/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Texas
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/TX/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Utah
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/UT/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Vermont
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/VT/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Virginia
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/VA/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Washington
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/WA/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Washington DC
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/DC/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
West Virginia
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/WV/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Wisconsin
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/WI/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
Wyoming
<http://www.switchboard.com/Travel_Agencies_%26_Bureaus/WY/37-/yellowpages_statewide.htm>
How do Agents Operate
=====================
In general, the operation of travel agents, both domestically and
internationally, is the same. They operate as a go between and connect
the wishes of the client, and their connection with travel
arrangements providers (airlines, package tours, cruises, hotels,
etc.). They might also arrange such things as transportation (trains,
rented cars, etc.), entertainment (tickets to amusement parks, shows,
sports events), or guidance.
Some agencies specialise in specific destinations, or in specific type
of clients (business, medical patients, study-travel, students). They
might cater better in their speciality, because of contacts, knowlegde
of the field (or of the destination), and experience.
From the tour arrangements providers, the agents receive different
offers; from their clients, on the business-to-client basis, they
receieve requests and wishes. Their job is to mediate between the two
and they receive a commission for doing that. They do that by
"accepting funds from clients, forwarding the funds to the appropriate
airline, cruise line or hotel, and receiving a commission on the
transaction." (SOURCE: TAXATION: LICENSE TAXES,
<http://www.oag.state.va.us/media%20center/Opinions/1999opns/sep996.htm>).
Sometimes, large agencies "buy" packages in advance, and sell tem to
the clients.
You can read more about how travel agents operate on the following sites:
The BLS site provides a good intorduction to the operations of travel agents:
"Constantly changing airfares and schedules, thousands of available
vacation packages, and a vast amount of travel information on the
Internet can make travel planning frustrating and time-consuming. To
sort out the many travel options, tourists and business people often
turn to travel agents, who assess their needs and help them make the
best possible travel arrangements. Also, many major cruise lines,
resorts, and specialty travel groups use travel agents to promote
travel packages to millions of people every year.
In general, travel agents give advice on destinations and make
arrangements for transportation, hotel accommodations, car rentals,
tours, and recreation. They also may advise on weather conditions,
restaurants, tourist attractions, and recreation. For international
travel, agents also provide information on customs regulations,
required papers (passports, visas, and certificates of vaccination),
and currency exchange rates.
Travel agents consult a variety of published and computer-based
sources for information on departure and arrival times, fares, and
hotel ratings and accommodations. They may visit hotels, resorts, and
restaurants to evaluate comfort, cleanliness, and quality of food and
service so that they can base recommendations on their own travel
experiences or those of colleagues or clients.
Travel agents also promote their services, using telemarketing, direct
mail, and the Internet. They make presentations to social and
special-interest groups, arrange advertising displays, and suggest
company-sponsored trips to business managers. Depending on the size of
the travel agency, an agent may specialize by type of travel, such as
leisure or business, or destination, such as Europe or Africa."
(SOURCE: BLS, "Travel Agents", <http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos124.htm>).
Another good introduction could be found at Wikipedia
Travel Agency
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travel_agency>
For more detailed information regarding the way travel agencies
operate in the age of communication technology, you can check the ASTA
FAQ:
ASTA FAQ
<http://www.astanet.com/about/faq.asp>
Specifically, regarding the commission they receive:
"Because of these commission cuts, travel agencies have been forced to
look at how they operate their business and most have begun charging
fees for their services. They have evaluated their costs of doing
business and compared them to their revenues and found that the
straight percentage rebate is not an effective or sound practice in
today?s reduced commission environment. Corporate clients have
endorsed the fee concept over the last two years, to the point where
it is difficult to find straight rebate agreements in accounts over $1
million in annual air expenditures." (SOURCE: "Government and Travel
Agency Contracts", <http://www.government-travel.org/sgtp3b.html>).
Business Week also provies a fairly good view on how travel agents operate:
"Small, independent travel agencies are best equipped to provide
personalized attention. Their small size often allows the firms to
accommodate unusual traveler needs and preferences. However, small
agencies are limited in their ability to negotiate better hotel rates
and airline fares. These firms are typically positioned to best serve
companies that spend up to $100,000 in yearly travel bookings.
A medium-sized agency, usually a larger local agency, does enough
travel business to obtain significant discounts from hotels and a
sizable number of free perks from airlines that can be shared with
clients. Medium-sized agencies can also provide added travel
conveniences, such as an airline ticket printer in your office. Firms
with billings between $100,000 and $1 million should find an agency
that offers the appropriate level of support.
A large agency, usually a regional or national firm, is able to
negotiate the largest discounts with suppliers and will also be very
familiar with rebating arrangements. Companies with multiple offices
may especially want to consolidate their account with a national
agency for increased bargaining power and ease in travel arrangements
and reporting. Corporations with more than $1 million in yearly
bookings should consider using a regional or national travel agency."
Business Week, Buyer's Guide: Travel Agencies
<http://businessweek.buyerzone.com/travel/travel_agencies/buyers_guide1.html>
Business Week also provides a glossary of indusrty terms:
Travel Agencies | Industry Lingo
<http://businessweek.buyerzone.com/travel/travel_agencies/industry_lingo.html>
However, some say that the function of the travel agent could be
achieved today through the Internet, by the traveller, without a
go-between. This is a heated subject and much disputed. See two
articles regarding this issue:
Travel Agents - Obsolete or Essential?
<http://www.thetravelinsider.info/2002/0329.htm>
Airfare Wars - Internet vs Travel Agencies
<http://www.thetravelinsider.info/2002/0614.htm>
The issue of technology has certainly affected the competition between
different travel agencies. Specialisation is one of the answers: "The
travel agency market is competitive, and technology, namely the
Internet and Computerized Reservation Systems (CRS), has changed the
way travel agencies operate. The Internet gives agencies and
individuals the ability to perform travel related research. Discount
air fare brokers have taken advantage of the Internet by offering
tickets on line at discounted rates. This has increased price
competition. Computerized Reservation Systems have increased the speed
and efficiency of the agency to customer transaction. They have also
increased the start-up costs for travel agencies who wish to be
competitive. Moreover, industry competition and the increased number
of travel options available have made it necessary for smaller travel
agencies to establish themselves as specialists in one or more types
of travel."
(SOURCE: Travel Agency - Adventure Business Plan, "3. Services",
<http://www.bplans.com/spv/3007/3.cfm>).
However, a traditional travel agency does not necessarily need a large
flashy website, or in any case, vast usage of the Internet: "Many UK
travel agencies operate what the Americans call a 'full service
agency'. They aim to provide travel products that cater for every
client that walks through the door. By providing a superior service to
their local community they aim to remain the first port of call for
all travel transactions. Unless these agencies also offer some form of
niche travel product or target a particular consumer group,
hypertrails recommends that they take only a minimal web presence. In
this way consumers looking for the agency online can readily find
their contact details, but costs are kept down." (SOURCE: Hypertrail
Web Publishing, <http://www.hypertrails.com/agents.htm>).
Regarding the commission in this age of competition: "There are still
some high commission areas left for travel agencies to target,
including up to 40 per cent on travel insurance, 10 to 15 per cent on
car hire, 20 per cent on cruising, 12 per cent or more on wholesale
packages, and 15 to 20 per cent on accommodation bookings." (SOURCE:
"TOURISM BOOM SENDING TRAVEL AGENTS BUST", IBIS Press Release, Sept,
21, 2005, <http://www.ibisworld.com.au/static/pressreleases.asp?contentitemid=364>).
A very good review on the revenue structure of travel agencies could
be found at the IRS site
Chapter 9 - Tour Operators and Travel Agencies
<http://www.irs.gov/businesses/page/0,,id%3D7001,00.html#Chap9>
Valuation Resources provide many links to further information (some
fee-based) on travel agencies
<http://www.valuationresources.com/Reports/SIC4724TravelAgencies.htm>
I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarification on this answer before you rate it. |
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