Most travel agents act as advisers to people wishing to take a holiday or travel overseas and act as intermediaries between the customer and the firms selling the holiday packages, travel or accommodation. They also advise on visa requirements, health matters, passports, car hire, insurance and the foreign currency necessary, and anything else that the customer needs to know or be aware of. They normally work at a desk in an office that is usually situated in a shopping area. The work is mostly done on a computer, or by telephone. The agent takes a deposit against the costs, and the tickets and the details of the travel are then sent by the tour or holiday operator to the travel agent, who then checks all the details and then collects the balance of the payment and transfers the documents to the customer. Some companies specialise in business travel, which often needs arranging to a tight schedule: this business is usually conducted by telephone and fax, in the interests of quickness, accuracy and security.
Description
2012
