I've read an article last week in the local newspaper about an upcoming meeting of the travel agency association here in the Philippines. They're gonna talk about the effect that the low cost carriers has on their business. They seem to be losing some money because people are now booking directly to the airline companies.
The travel agencies seem to have a lucrative business back then when airfare seemed to be out of reach and hotels were the only choice, especially before the era of the internet. But internet has revolutionized the way we purchase travel needs such as tickets and accommodation.
The internet has provided all of us all the information that we need to book everything ourselves. The airline industry also has changed with the presence of low cost carriers that serves different continents. Cheap hostels also abound now anywhere we go.
Independent travellers turned bloggers also provided information on how to travel cheaply on our own. Packaged tours seemed to be the last option for some travellers. More and more travellers seem to prefer the freedom of going to places and doing different stuff on their own pace.
The travel agencies still have their corporate accounts though to profit from. Most companies are still outsourcing their travel needs from those establishments.
But for the independent and leisure travellers, what else do we need from a travel agency?
Hopefully, they could provide more affordable packages that would surely give more value to our money.
What’re your thoughts about this?
by Kossy@FINEDAYS.
the mom of my sister's boyfriend owns a travel agency and she's earning big from 40 something and up tourists who go on cruises and group tours to europe and the holy land, i still think though for filipinos convenience is still the popular alternative. most of my friends prefer booking everything prior to their departure and taking the group tours. i am just the exception. even if the agency has a good and fair price, i always think i am being scammed. hehe
ReplyDeleteat least they're still earning... i agree, most Filipinos still want the convenience of booking everything prior departure... although after traveling on my own for some time, i realized that i could save more money if I do it on my own.
ReplyDeleteoh well, pinoy travelers are evolving (parang pokemon lang) guided tour package is a thing of the past. so 90's!
ReplyDeleteit's finally time to show the world that Filipinos can go abroad for the "learning travel experience," and not all middle class Pinoys would want to hop off the boat to work as OFW's.
if more pinoys continue traveling out and back, then hopefully, other countries would loosen-up the rope on giving Filipino passport holders non-visa access to their lands.
RON
so true ron... more and more pinoy backpackers are roaming the planet
ReplyDeleteSad reality. Most of travelers now prefer DIY to save money. With the advent of travel how to's, low cost airfare, and one click hotel/hostel reservation traveling without the aid of travel agencies is achievable.
ReplyDeleteoh well travel agencies have to come up with competitive rates or handsome package for them to stay. personally, i prefer securing travel agency's service sometimes.
yup... i hope they do come up with more affordable packages :-) i usually book my bus tickets to travel agencies whenever i travel in other countries... communication is one of the factor but the price is always much higher though... thanks for dropping by :-)
ReplyDelete