Travel Agent, Trip Advisor, etc.
What's In A Name?
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for good preparation
Travel professionals go by many names. Travel agent, trip advisor, travel consultant, cruise planner, cruise agent, trip planner and travel planner are a few such designations.
Of course, including the word professional to each name (such as professional trip planner) adds to an already long list.
A key question is whether these descriptions are important to the public. A secondary question is whether the travel professional thinks they are important.
How about you, do you care about the title of the professional you use?
Regardless of how you answer the above questions, (yes, no, it depends, or it does not matter), the bottom line is whether the services offered will fulfill your need(s).
Are you a "happy camper" at the end of the day?
Are you encountering many hassles in planning your trip or vacation?
Did you use a trip advisor? Or, do you refer s/he as a travel advisor?
Did you use a trip consultant?
Or...
Did you use a cruise agent?
Is There A Difference Between
A Travel Agent and A Cruise Agent?
Clearly, some titles suggest more of a specialized service.
Undoubtedly, travel professionals use labels to show their area of specialization. However, no one would suggest that only a cruise agent could provide the required services of booking a cruise in a superlative way.
A travel professional referred to as a trip advisor (or any other title) may have the capability of doing a superb job, even though that job deals with cruising.
Can someone designated a travel agent perform the functions of a person designated a cruise agent, and do so equally well? That depends of course on the background and experience of the agent. Of course, there is always a learning curve involved in learning a new subject.
A person considered very good currently was at one time a novice about cruising. Over time, s/he learned the subject, well.
Many travel professionals use multiple designations. You may contact someone designated a trip advisor, but get a great, great "cruise" agent.
Conclusion: Do not worry about the title, especially if you understand the elements that make for a good/great travel professional. That information is in this website section on 'Good Preparation'.
However, this leads us to other very important questions.
Are you able to identify a professional that is right
for YOU?
Can you make such an identification regardless of label?
To answer the above important questions, see Identify Your Perfect Cruise Planner - As simple as ABC.
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What's In A Name?
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