Are Travel Agents Worth It?

I have to give a lot of credit to the Internet. It has brought the world of e-commerce to our fingertips, allowing us to discover out-of-print books on Amazon, to purchase other people’s junk on eBay, and even to offer ridiculous bids for travel on Priceline. I honestly cannot imagine the world without it.

Yes, the Internet has brought a wealth of information to our fingertips — and to the fingertips of our clients. And yes, this is a good thing. An educated client is good client; an uneducated client soon morphs into the client from hell.

But the Internet has also set loose a scourge: the consumer hell-bent on making sure that I do not make a single penny for the work I do. I am not sure when education turned into extortion, but I am sure it’s a bad thing for consumers and travel agents alike.

Would you ask your doctor to discount your bill because you investigated some ailment on WebMD.com? Is your accountant’s advice worth less because you use Quicken? Would you ask F. Lee Bailey to reduce his fee because an ambulance-chaser told you he could do your legal work cheaper? My guess is that you would not. So why do so many consumers feel that travel agents should give discounts, make rebates and match online prices?

Are we not entitled to earn a living?

Half the problem is self-inflicted, I admit. Back in the days of dinosaurs and airline commissions, travel agents were happy to give away their advice for free; after all, they were being paid by the travel supplier, not the consumer. Now those commissions are gone and agents make their living from service fees and what little remains of commissions from other travel suppliers.

The other half of the problem is the fantastic sales job that the online travel providers have done convincing consumers that they can go it alone: Push some buttons, save some money, and get a great travel experience. In fact, there are plenty of times when you can go it alone, and I have no problem with that. But when you really need a travel agent, I resent the suggestion that I should rebate my hard-earned money or otherwise discount the trip.

Those who go it alone are usually not looking for a travel experience; they are looking for transportation. They just want to get from point A to point B at the lowest possible cost. Like gamblers, they are willing to take a chance on the experience. It’s OK if their trip doesn’t go as planned, because they figure they got a good deal. If something goes wrong, that’s OK too, because no travel agent got a cut of the action. “Overbooked flight? Cramped seating? Missed connection? No problem - I did the work and I saved 50 bucks.” That’s the thinking, and it makes a certain amount of sense if you’re the gambling type.

But if you are looking for advice — the same kind of thing you’d ask from your attorney, accountant or doctor — you should be OK with me making a little profit on your trip. Why? Because I have important information that will benefit you. I know about the client mix at different resorts and the personalities of cruise ships (yes, they do have personalities — ask your agent). I know the names of some amazing concierges in Europe and some fantastic hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Singapore. I’ve been in this business for more years than the Internet, and I know what will make for a great travel experience - and what won’t.

Yes, I know that you are absolutely sold on that all-inclusive resort with the shiny brochure. You know, the one with the beautiful facilities, the fabulous food, the luxurious accommodations and, of course, those hot bodies in the skimpy thongs! But, I also know that the pool is under renovation, the new chef is terrible, the rooms need refurbishing and — most importantly — most of the thongs you will see will be worn by older overweight foreign men with lots of back hair.

Please, take a moment and let that image sink in.

Now ask yourself: Is the middleman worth it?

I won’t deny that online travel providers and rebating or discounting agencies have their place. We live in a polarized consumer market where Macy’s and Wal-Mart, Le Bec-Fin and McDonald’s, The Ritz-Carlton and Motel 6 all find customers. I guess it boils down to what you want from your investment — and don’t kid yourself, your vacation dollars are definitely an investment: an investment in memories.

So don’t confuse the words “transportation” and “vacation”; they rhyme, but that’s about it. We are talking about experiences here. Do you deny a child his first visit to Disney World just to save $100? Do you forever kick yourself in the rear end for not taking that cruise with your mother because your bid was turned down on Priceline?

I have worked a long time to learn about this industry and I am more than happy to share my experiences with you for my fee or commission.

Your experience begins with mine.

Saving New Orleans

Well, 2005 was certainly a challenging year for the travel industry — including travel agents like me. We dealt with bankruptcies, labor strikes, a horrible exchange rate, missing passengers on a cruise ship, a missing girl in Aruba, and four wenches named Emily, Katrina, Rita and Wilma.

Already, 2006 is off to a tumultuous start with the demise of Independence Air in the first week of the new year and the prediction from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration that we will have another “active” hurricane season later this year. It makes one wonder what lies ahead for the destinations that we have all come to know and love.

Imagine a world without a London, Paris, New York, Cancun or New Orleans. Unthinkable! Impensable! (Or, as a Cajun from New Orleans might say, “Go to bed!”) Well folks, I am afraid it is true. While we are not in any imminent danger of losing Paris or New York, it is quite possible that New Orleans could become a lost city like Herakleion, the ancient Egyptian port that fell into the sea in 103 A.D. Fortunately for New Orleans, we are better able to put up a good fight to save this rich cultural city, one of the true gems of the United States.

Right now, New Orleans needs money. Sure, some money from insurance companies, FEMA and other government agencies is beginning to trickle in, and it will go a long way toward shoring up the infrastructure. But what New Orleans really needs right now is a shot in the tourism arm.

Have you ever been to this amazing city? Maybe for a convention? Mardi Gras? Have you ever heard jazz at Preservation Hall? Snug Harbor? Tipitina’s? Have you collected beads on Bourbon Street - or tossed them? Have you lingered over crab bisque at Tujague’s?

Without a doubt, the Crescent City is my favorite domestic destination. Many people ask me why, and the only thing I can come up with is that New Orleans has soul. I have no idea how to define soul, but I know it when I see it, and New Orleans definitely has it. Many cities have character — Annapolis has character — but New Orleans has soul.

Many recent columns and articles have posed the headline question: “New Orleans: Can It Be Saved?” This is all wrong. Transpose two small words and change the punctuation and you have the real story: “New Orleans: It Can Be Saved!”

Wanna know how?

Go! Get off your couch and call your travel agent (or surf the Web). Book a trip to New Orleans — or anywhere on the Gulf Coast. Spend some money, drink a Hurricane (pardon the pun and irony), take in some jazz, and give this city what it needs. Be a part of rebuilding our heritage and our history. Fly, drive, sail, take a train, hitchhike or hang glide — just get yourself to the Big Easy and spread some money around. It will be the best charitable donation you’ve ever made and the most fun, guaranteed.

On New Year’s Eve, Mayor Ray Nagin showcased the city’s resiliency with its New Year’s celebration. The mayor made the same appeal that I do: The city needs tourism; come give us a hand. As they say in New Orleans, Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!). I say: Let them roll, and let them roll hard!

Personally, I will be there the weekend of February 17. I’ve already purchased my tickets. I’ll be there with a bunch of friends and believe me, we will be doing our part to help. That is the week before Mardi Gras. There will be parades and Krewes to be seen, and the celebration will be in high gear.

Unfortunately, my favorite hotel, The Maison Dupuy, won’t reopen until April 1. But I spoke with Ana Karavagelis, sales manager of the hotel, and she echoed the mayor’s comments: Come on down and have a good time. She did caution that many establishments are still closed or are offering limited services. “But a fun time is not in short supply,” she said. “All of the annual festivals will continue — Mardi Gras, French Quarter Festival, Jazz Fest — they are all happening.”

Me, I’ll be staying at the Holiday Inn French Quarter. But if you need a list of hotels, restaurants and attractions that are open, please feel free to download the list on our forums.

While I love the “off-the-beaten-path” side of New Orleans, this time I am headed back as a tourist with a vengeance — and a pocketful of money. I’m going to say hello to Harry Anderson and his wife Elizabeth, who own Sideshow, one of America’s great curiosity shops. I am going to stumble down Bourbon Street with a Hurricane go-cup purchased from Pat O’Brien’s and a bunch of beads purchased from the local shop. I’ll toss a few bucks into the sax case of that fabulous “cat” who plays near Pirates Alley. You may find me on the balcony of the Cats Meow or another bar, or listening to the piano at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. If I am particularly brave, I might tackle the Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone (it makes me dizzy and sick under the best of circumstances), or even volunteer to be picked on at Howl at the Moon!

Why not come down and join me? I might even buy you a drink. If you can make it, please e-mail me. Together we can do a small part to rebuild this fantastic city on the Mississippi!

I will be reporting on this visit on our Tripso Forums (spelling will not count), and you can count on a few more columns to stir up the effort before I go!

Meanwhile, get packing.