Technology is driving more and more travelers straight into the
arms of real travel agents -- you know, the non-virtual,
flesh-and-blood types who actually talk to, listen to and advise consumers. At
the same time, technology is also enabling the development of a number of
matchmaking tools to help the traveler link up with a professional.
That can translate into
thousands, hundreds of thousands and sometimes more than a million dollars'
worth of business for individual agents who use the sites.
For many agents,
these Web-based matchmaking sites have morphed into the best business generator
out there for both repeat and referral business.
Agent-locator tools are nothing new. ASTA's Travel Agent Directory is more than 15 years old, according to Michelle Mueller, the Society's creative and Web services director.
Suppliers such as cruise lines and tour operators have long had agent-finder sites that help consumers connect with agents who have completed training on the supplier's products. In fact, Royal Caribbean International said traffic to its agent-locator tool has been growing, and it now attracts about 20,000 visitors per month.
Many destinations, including countries, regions and islands, have agent-finder tools on their sites that connect consumers with retailers who have undergone training in the destination. And travel niches, be it special-needs travel or small-ship cruising, also offer agent-finder tools.
Over the past half-dozen years, agent-locator services have expanded to include third-party sites such as Zicasso, Tripology and Cruise Compete. Agents pay for the leads they get from these sites.
Agent-locator tools are nothing new. ASTA's Travel Agent Directory is more than 15 years old, according to Michelle Mueller, the Society's creative and Web services director.
Suppliers such as cruise lines and tour operators have long had agent-finder sites that help consumers connect with agents who have completed training on the supplier's products. In fact, Royal Caribbean International said traffic to its agent-locator tool has been growing, and it now attracts about 20,000 visitors per month.
Many destinations, including countries, regions and islands, have agent-finder tools on their sites that connect consumers with retailers who have undergone training in the destination. And travel niches, be it special-needs travel or small-ship cruising, also offer agent-finder tools.
Over the past half-dozen years, agent-locator services have expanded to include third-party sites such as Zicasso, Tripology and Cruise Compete. Agents pay for the leads they get from these sites.
Men Gorleku, relationship manager for 6-year-old Tripology, which is owned by
Rand McNally, said that requests range from a weekend cruise to the Bahamas to
the trip of a lifetime in Bora Bora. But
he said that what really makes Tripology stand out are its experts.
Tripology also features agent biographies, which it calls "personal statements." Agents can include their photos, describe their specialties and training and then describe themselves and the passions that drive them.
Tripology provides training, suggestions on how to create a compelling personal statement and how to vet prospective clients. It provides suggestions on the type of information to provide in the initial email responding to a trip query. It stresses the importance of responding promptly to a trip query, and it even offers tips on how to make sure that agents have an attractive photo of themselves.
Tripology also features agent biographies, which it calls "personal statements." Agents can include their photos, describe their specialties and training and then describe themselves and the passions that drive them.
Tripology provides training, suggestions on how to create a compelling personal statement and how to vet prospective clients. It provides suggestions on the type of information to provide in the initial email responding to a trip query. It stresses the importance of responding promptly to a trip query, and it even offers tips on how to make sure that agents have an attractive photo of themselves.