The Hindu Business Line : `Travel agents should turn counsellors'

THIS year has been a time of reckoning for the retail travel trade. The business is doing fine, there are more airline seats to sell, more people are travelling, but the airlines are cutting back on agency commission.

Senior travel trade sources said it is time that travel agents reinvented themselves as travel advisors and consultants. They will have to be paid for their knowledge of the market and ability to swing a "best deal" for the client.

According to Mr Jayram Ketkar, Chief Operating Officer, Travel Corporation of India (TCI), the role of the travel agent is more or less becoming that of a travel counsellor. He said that though the traveller knows what he wants and what he can get, he needs to be guided to achieve "value for his money", he said.

In this evolving market, the travel agent has to become more customer-centric and discerning.

Travel companies are coming out with new online and user-friendly facilities to help their customers. For instance, recently, TCI launched its 24x7 travel centre — TCI TravelNet — to provide travel solutions such as air tickets, hotel reservations, customised holidays, car hire, cruises, coach tours or just about anything. Travel counsellors at TCI TravelNet, will answer the customer's queries, make his bookings and dispatch the relevant tickets, or vouchers to him.

Several payment options are available for the customer to choose from. TCI TravelNet was also launched in the toll-free service in the US.

Mr Ketkar said that there were a number of niche travel products available for travellers today. There is a rising interest in sports tourism, especially in motor racing. TCI will be organising the F1 Grand Prix Tours in cooperation with Autocar, he said.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Duke Fashions forays into womenswear

Hutch unveils `concept store' at Bangalore

Ambience Publicis plans expansion

Philips aims to maintain lead in radios market

`Travel agents should turn counsellors'

Liberty footwear range launched