Opera at the harbor. Sydney, Australia

This morning I found at the “The Sydney Morning Herald” journal (on line version “http://www.smh.com.au/”) a very interesting discussion at the very funny traveling blog called the “Backpacker blog”. Are travel agents really necessary? This is a question that I’ve been putting to my self for long time ago. The author (Ben Groundwater) explains it better and I share is views. He point out the exact moment when we stopped using travel agents and continues (…) Up until then, I had it made. I'd pick my destination and dates, email the Hilton Hippy, and within a few hours I'd have a complete set of flight options, at the lowest possible price, plus a massively discounted travel insurance policy, visa information ... the works. Sadly, the Hippy has now passed on to the corporate world (although he can still hook a brother up with cheap flights), so organizing a holiday takes a bit more work. Still, it's easily manageable without the help (and expense) of a travel agent. Which kind a makes me wonder: are they a dying breed? A few years ago, the predictions were dire. Flight Centre and its ilk were said to be going the way of Ansett, crushed under the weight of a competitor they couldn't possibly match: in travel agents' case, the internet. If everything travel-related can be researched, booked and paid for over the internet, why bother going to a travel agent? And yet, walk down any main street or into any shopping mall, and you'll see the predictions were way off the mark. Travel agents are still kicking along; people are still using them. However, for most holidays, especially short ones, I wouldn't bother. (…) For starters, unless you know your travel agent well, you're probably going to be paying more than you should be for flights, definitely more for accommodation, and way more for insurance. In return, you get everything booked, and a nice printed itinerary in a neat little satchel. You also, however, get something of a safety net, which can be handy for inexperienced travelers. When everything goes tits up, your flights are cancelled and your hotel booking has fallen through, at least you've got someone to call who might be able to make it all better. But really, travel agents aren't necessary. In the world of travel, Google is your new best friend - check out the flights on the net, sort your visa applications online, find and book some accommodation, make sure you know the right numbers to call in the event of a stuff-up, and you should be okay. The only time I'd probably use an agent is if I was doing a multi-stop round-the-world trip, because, basically, I just couldn't be arsed figuring it all out myself. This is where travel agents are worth their weight in gold. Regardless, if you are going to use an agent - whether you're booking a year-long trip or a week in Bali - the secret is to do your research. If you've done your homework, know exactly where and when you want to go, and a ballpark figure of how much you should be spending, chances are you're going to get a good deal. The agent will appreciate having a client who knows what they're on about (rather than, "Where do you want to go?" "Oh, everywhere!"), and you'll both walk away happy. Do you use travel agents? Do you find them useful, or is it better to go it alone? If you want to contribute to the discussion, please go to Backpacker blog and drop a line at www.blogs.smh.com.au/travel/archives/2008/09/are_travel_agents_really_neces.html