5 Ways Travel Agents Can Help Travelers Have a Smooth, Safe Trip

When people travel, situations arise. A good rule of thumb is to always
expect the unexpected when it comes to transportation, lodging, tourism and
safety. Travel agents offer the tools and insights to help travelers
mitigate a lot of these situations. Of course, travel agents are only
human. That’s why
href="https://coverhound.com/insurance-learning-center/3-reasons-why-travel-agents-need-business-insurance"
target="_blank">
business insurance for travel agencies

exists to protect them against liability, lawsuits and more.

Here are five ways travel agents can help ensure smooth and safe trips.

Organizing Documentation

Imagine you’re a traveler leaving the U.S. on an international trip for the
first time. As
href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/us-news-travel/when-to-use-a-travel-agen_b_4611806.html"
target="_blank">
HuffPost

href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/us-news-travel/when-to-use-a-travel-agen_b_4611806.html"
target="_blank">
writes

, “Things can get tricky when traveling abroad, especially if you’re
visiting a nation with complicated visa or passport requirements.” There’s
a lot to organize! From passport and visa logistics to language barriers,
travel agents help their clients handle these daunting details. Taking some
extra time to be confident they understand timelines and requirements is a
key part of going the extra mile to ensure everyone has a successful trip.

Preparing Clients for Upcoming Trips

Sometimes travelers know where they want to go, but have little idea what
to expect once they reach get there. This is especially true if they’re
judging a location based on books or TV. Travel agents can pass along
information they’ve gleaned from previous clients and their industry
contacts to give travelers the 411 of the city and local attractions. This
will help their clients prepare, and possibly even alter their plans if a
given area may be more dangerous than expected or was hit by a natural
disaster.

Resolving Emergency Situations Quickly

If an emergency does occur, travel agents can swoop in to help expedite the
process of getting their clients home. In addition to keeping copies of
href="https://travel.usnews.com/features/9-things-to-know-to-improve-your-safety-when-traveling-overseas"
target="_blank">
travelers’ documentation

on record, travel agents go the extra mile to pass along crucial
information so their clients stay informed and know what to do in any given
situation. The key here is being knowledgeable and responsive.

Make Alternative Arrangements on the Fly

Flights get delayed and canceled. Hotels make mistakes during the booking
process. Natural disasters occur without any prior warning. People get sick
and injured. Travel laws and regulations change. Whatever the situation,
travel agents can position themselves to be uniquely capable of handling
spontaneous obstacles. Taking care of

rebooking

is a must for modern travel agents, as customers would generally rather
call their agent than spend time, money and effort figuring out a solution
for themselves.

Suggest Travel Insurance

According to the American Bar Association, travel agents must
href="https://www.americanbar.org/publications/gp_solo/2013/may_june/travel_agents_their_role_and_liability.html"
target="_blank">
make travelers aware

of available travel insurance to help lessen liability against the agent if
something goes wrong. It’s a win-win. Selling travel insurance is a good
way to for agents to boost their revenue and diminish their liability while
helping travelers protect their trip and hard-earned money.

While there’s no way to prevent every roadblock when it comes to travel,
savvy agents should do everything they can to foster a great experience for
their customers. And, in case of conflict or financial loss to customers,
business insurance for travel agencies protects professionals and
organizations from many forms of liability. Protect your travel
agency and agents today with an affordable policy through CoverHound!