Travel with Rachael

I think there are still quite a few misconceptions about using a travel agent.

With so many people booking their holidays online these days, it’s easy to think that travel agents are a thing of the past — or that using one will automatically cost you more.

But as a travel agent myself, I thought I’d bust a few of the myths I hear most often.

Myth 1: “Travel agents are more expensive.”

This is probably one of the biggest myths.

Using a travel agent doesn’t automatically mean paying more for your holiday. We have access to the same sorts of holidays, hotels, flights and suppliers that you can find yourself, and we can search for options that fit your budget and what you’re actually looking for.

And remember, you’re not just paying for a holiday. You’re getting someone to do the searching, comparing and organising for you too.

Myth 2: “I can get it cheaper online.”

Of course you can search online yourself — and sometimes you might find a great deal.

But cheaper doesn’t always mean better.

When you’re searching online, it can be difficult to compare everything properly. Is the baggage included? What about transfers? Is that room actually suitable for your family? Are there better options for the same price?

That’s where I can help.

I don’t just look for the cheapest option. I look for the option that makes the most sense for you.

Myth 3: “I don’t need a travel agent because I can book it myself.”

You absolutely can!

But just because you can book your own holiday doesn’t mean you necessarily want to spend your evenings doing it.

There are so many websites, hotels, room types, board options, flights, transfers and extras to compare that booking a holiday can sometimes feel like a full-time job.

My job is to take some of that work away from you.

You tell me what you’re looking for, what your budget is and what’s important to you — and I can do the research.

Myth 4: “Travel agents only book package holidays.”

Definitely not!

I can arrange all sorts of holidays and short breaks, from family holidays in the sunshine to Disney trips, theme park breaks, cruises, luxury escapes and much more.

Sometimes it’s a straightforward package holiday. Other times it might be something much more complicated.

The fun part for me is finding the right option for the person I’m booking for.

Myth 5: “I don’t need an agent because I can find everything on Google.”

Google is brilliant.

I use it too!

But there’s a difference between being able to find information and knowing which information is actually useful.

You can search for the best family hotel, the best room, the best theme park ticket or the best resort and be presented with hundreds of results.

My role is to help narrow those choices down.

I’ve travelled with my own family, I have personal experience of family holidays and theme parks, and I love researching travel. So I can use that knowledge to help you make your decision.

Myth 6: “A travel agent just books whatever I ask for.”

Not with me.

Of course, if you’ve already decided exactly where you want to go, I’ll absolutely look at that for you.

But if you tell me, “We want some sunshine, we’ve got two children, we don’t want a massive resort and we’d like to be close to the beach,” that’s where I can really get involved.

I can suggest places you might not have considered, point out things that could be important and help you find something that actually suits your family.

Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know — and that’s where having someone with travel knowledge can make a difference.

Myth 7: “Using a travel agent takes longer.”

It can actually save you time.

Think about how long you can spend searching for a holiday yourself.

One website leads to another. Then you start looking at reviews. Then you find a different hotel. Then you compare flights. Then you realise transfers aren’t included.

Before you know it, you’ve spent hours researching and still haven’t booked anything!

Instead, you can give me your requirements and let me do the legwork.

Myth 8: “I’ll know more because I’ve researched it myself.”

You might!

And I genuinely love it when clients have already done some research and have an idea of what they’re looking for.

But you don’t have to become a travel expert just to book a holiday.

That’s one of the reasons I’m here.

I can help you understand the different options, answer your questions and share my knowledge and experience — so you can make a decision you’re comfortable with.

So, do you actually need a travel agent?

No.

You don’t need one.

You can absolutely book your own holiday if that’s what you enjoy doing.

But if you’d rather have someone else do the research, help you compare your options, answer your questions and take some of the stress out of organising your trip, that’s where I come in.

For me, being a travel agent isn’t just about making a booking.

It’s about getting to know what my clients want, finding something that works for them and helping them feel confident about their holiday before they even leave home.

And after all the planning, researching and organising, you get to do the best bit…

Enjoy the holiday!

If you’re thinking about your next family holiday, short break or big adventure, I’d love to help you plan it.

✈️Rachael’s Travel Tip.

Contact me when you’re ready to book. I’m more then happy to help you look at options so you can decide where you might want to go, and if you want me to do that a few months before you’re ready to book I can give a brief overview of pricing etc, but a full quote is only worth while to you when you’re ready to book. Pricing and availability can change so much in just a few weeks.

“Helping families spend less time worrying and more time making memories”

Always happy to help

Rachael