Role of a Travel Agency
(a) Inbound Tourism
Most of the travel companies are in private sectors and their main objectives is to earn profit; in spite of this they play a key role in the promotion and development of international tourism. In India about 50 percent the established travel companies handle foreign tourists and other visitors make their own independent arrangements.
(b) Outbound Tourism
Since the deregulations of air industry the outbound tourism has been increasing rapidly. Today outbound tourist traffic is growing thing at rate of 10 percent. This indicates that India is the second largest county in outbound tourism. The major outbound destinations are Europe, UK, Southeast Asia, Greece, and East Asia, USA, Egypt and Australia.
The fun tours of TCI are the Evidence of quality inclusive outbound package that generally include deluxe class accommodation Indian meals transportation by deluxe couches Experienced tour escort sightseeing and interaction with local culture. This will create sound international relationship between the developing and build better relation abroad.
(c) Domestic Tourism
The Indian Travel Companion has offered and continues to formulate flexible and economical packages to popular holiday- destinations like Golden Triangle, Goa, Shimala, Kulu-Manali, Derjaling, Bangalore, Hydrabad, Mysore, Ooty, J&K, Lakshadweep and many more destinations. In fact they are contributing to the causes of national instigation.
(d) Employment Generation
No other sector of Indian economy has generated huge employment opportunities like the travel and tourism industry. The travel industry employees over 25000 people directly and thousands of indirectly in India. The world travel and tourism council forecasts that during the next decade more than 10 million jobs will be created by travel and tourism industry along across the world economy.
(e) Earning of Foreign Currency
The foreign exchange brought to India by the travel companies is a vital contribution toward the national economy. It is a major factor on India Balance of payment position. Therefore the government has taken various steps either through collaboration or through their own tourist offices abroad, to maximize the tourist receipts.
(f) Destination Promotion Development
Today many travel companies with the collaboration of state tourism corporations and tourism departments are contributing in promoting and development new destinations even the government has also provided various financial incentives to the private sector to promote tourism in the country. The role and contribution of travel companies have been fully appreciated in advanced countries. But in countries like India the role and contribution has not been appreciated and recognized due to the unorganized sector. Still the travel companies have the greatest impact on account of balance of payment, employment, international understanding and national instigation.
Travel agents help travelers sort through vast amounts of information to help them make the best possible travel arrangements. They offer advice on destinations and make arrangements for transportation, hotel accommodations, car rentals, and tours for their clients. They are also the primary source of bookings for most of the major cruise lines. In addition, resorts and specialty travel groups use travel agents to promote travel packages to their clients.
Travel agents are also increasingly expected to know about and be able to advise travelers about their destinations, such as the weather conditions, local ordinances and customs, attractions, and exhibitions. For those traveling internationally, agents also provide information on customs regulations, required papers (passports, visas, and certificates of vaccination), travel advisories, and currency exchange rates. In the event of changes in itinerary in the middle of a trip, travel agents intercede on the traveler’s behalf to make alternate booking arrangements.
Travel agents use a variety of published and computer-based sources for information on departure and arrival times, fares, quality of hotel accommodations, and group discounts. They may also visit hotels, resorts, and restaurants themselves to evaluate the comfort, cleanliness, and the quality of specific hotels and restaurants so that they can base recommendations on their own experiences or those of colleagues or clients.
Travel agents who primarily work for tour operators and other travel arrangers may help develop, arrange, and sell the company’s own package tours and travel services. They may promote these 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.
