Many folks think that “agents” buy All-Inclusive land packages directly with the resort. That’s not how it is usually done.
As a cruise specialist, I have been on 127 cruises. My purpose is to have as much personal experience on the different lines, for the value of my client. However, I have not been on every cruise line nor every ship.
There are millions of All-Inclusives around the World. There’s no way agents can personally experience a even a valuable portion !
Therefore, agents turn to Tour Operators. These operators “rate” the All-Inclusives so agents have a better feel for the property.
And not just any Tour Operator. Like cruises, agents stick with Name Brands. Tour Operators they can trust with their clients money. This is for the safety of their client, just like buying a cruise.
Agencies like Cruises Inc offer Trip Cancellation Insurance that covers bankruptcy of a carrier. However for the most part, these Tour Operators offer their own Trip Cancellation Insurance which is often more appealing to the client. And if the Tour Operator insurance is what the client opts for, then they no longer have the opportunity to buy bankruptcy insurance. Which is the value of agents sticking with a Name Brand Tour Operator for their clients.
Such Tour Operators include Apple Vacations, Fun Jet, Sandals, Beaches, Travel Impressions and there are a few others that the agent world turns to. Though Sandals and Beaches are a Tour Operator of themselves, they also provide sales to regular Tour Operators such as Apple. So clients can truly often receive a lower rate !
Again, Travelocity and Expedia are not a Tour Operator. And I personally will not buy my client an All-Inclusive through them. I realize, day in and day out, the average person will buy products from these folks. And yes, many times, nothing has happened and all went well. However, I will not buy airfare, hotel, nor an All-Inclusive from these folks. There is fine print that the consumer never reads, yet it is worth reading !
Some Tour Operators, such as Apple with match pricing on Travelocity or Expedia. So if you find something, then call an agent, to let them work this out for you. It is TOTALLY worth every customers change at protection, and your better protection is through a Name Brand Tour Operator.
Select Tour Operators, like Travel Impressions or Premier Alaska, will not allow customers to buy direct. You must go through an agent. But whether they do or not, I’m telling you specifically, consumers should NOT buy their All-Inclusives nor Land Tours on their own. Buy through an agent ! I can’t say this strong enough ! BUY THROUGH AN AGENT.
Even Cruises Inc now allows their customers to buy their All-Inclusives and Land Tours through them. We decided 4 years ago, after the “Land folks” contacted us, to provide these packages for our customers. Tour Operators like Cruises Lines, want the customer to buy through an agent.
Customers get a better understanding, when they buy from an agent. The travel industry would NOT pay agents commission if they didn’t want the customer to buy from an agent.
Like I’ve told my own folks, the reason why cruise line and the tour operators also sell their own packages to the consumer, is not because they are trying to compete with the agent … They push for your business because they don’t want to lose you to another cruise line nor to another tour operator. Make sense ?
Do yourself a favor ! Buy your All-Inclusives and your Land Packages from an agent. I don’t care if it is just a Disney package ! Be smart ! Be safe ! It’s a big world out here in this travel industry. Let those with experience do your battles. Save your time, headaches, and energy for your own life and leave your travel worries in the hand of your agent ! In many cases, it’s FREE to the consumer !
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