Travel agents could soon be on their bike

A new report out into the usage of travel agents has shown that they could soon become a thing of the past. They have been continuingly losing market share over the years since the boom of the internet and budget airlines. A vast majority of us now choose to tailor make our own holidays online instead of the old Saturday in the travel agents looking through brochures. Travel agents used to be part of the holiday process with the whole family looking up their favourite places and them coming to joint decision.

The internet has now made the customer more of the travel agent as we can search online for anything now from flights, airport transfer, insurance and even excursions when you are at your destination. It can still be a family matter with all huddled around the computer having a vote on next year’s summer holiday. The real boom has been with flight though as a wave of cheap airlines has led most away from the chartered flights. Ryanair and Easyjet are two of the largest in Europe and now control a massive stake in the flying market by customers booking direct with them.

Internet booking can also be a lot cheaper than with travel agents as you can find private owners letting out villas and timeshare apartments without the middleman taking his share. There are a few downfalls for now though as these types of DIY holidays are not covered by protection from the governments like travel agent holidays are. If an airline goes bust or accommodation is not as described there is no professional body to complain to. This could all change soon after and EU Commission has asked for the law to change to include these types of travel.