History & Information on the Travel Agency Business

In 2010, there were 9,386 travel agencies in the United States.

Travel agencies first started in the United Kingdom, originally catering for only very wealthy people. With the advent of aviation technology and the new-found accessibility of far-off and exotic places, the industry boomed into the multifaceted business it is today.

Origin

The first organized tours were with the Midland Railway company.

Cox & Kings was the first travel agency, having celebrated their 250th anniversary in 2008, according to their website. The bank provided travel services to their best clients after they opened in 1758. However, the first independent and sole travel agency was Thomas Cook, which opened in 1841, originally partnering with railway companies to offer tours and packages to clients.

History

Middle-class families started using travel agents after World War II.

Travel agents started targeting middle-class people after World War II when beach holiday packages became affordable for many families. The biggest travel industry association in the world, the American Society of Travel Agents opened as the American Steamship and Tourism Agent Associations in 1931 and has been one of the primary industry watchdogs ever since.

Functions

Travel agents sell products that they buy at discounted rates from suppliers.

Travel agents sell flights, holidays and other travel services, such as luggage or health insurance. They buy the product from their suppliers at a discount, and sell it to the consumer at the advertised rate, making their profit from the difference. However, according to The Travel Insider website, most major carriers have stopped paying commissions, so many agencies charge the consumer a small amount per booking.

Benefits

Travel agents organize entire vacations for the consumer.

Travel agents offer convenience by doing all the research, price and date comparisons, booking and paperwork that the consumer would ordinarily need to do. They also provide expert advice on traveling, covering subjects such as visas, currencies, safety and recommended accommodation and airlines.

Industry Threats

Many people book their own vacations over the Internet.

The ease of booking flights and package vacations over the Internet has put the travel agent industry under threat. However, as booking vacations this way can be time consuming and complicated, many people still choose travel agents to book trips for them.

References

• Cox & King: Centuries of Experience
• Thomas Cook: Thomas Cook History
• ASTA: Representing Travel Agents and the Traveling Public for over 75 Years
• ASTA: Travel Agents by the Numbers
• The Travel Insider: Travel Agents--Obsolete or Essential?

Resources

• The American Society of Travel Agents