Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/458251
8 W E S T W O R L D | S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 steven p. hughes B ack before Web 2.0 made us virtual masters of our own online destinies, few apart from roadtrippers ever left home without connecting person-to-person with at least one travel representative. Now dexterous fingers routinely dance across the face of mobile or laptop screens as individuals book their own flights, hotels and tour pack- ages. Speed and convenience are what we moderns demand, and the Internet delivers exactly that. Yet can the online experience really beat the human touch? "There will always be a vital role for pros who know the business inside out and can ensure all the dots are connected for a hassle- free holiday," says Marco Pozzobon, communi- cations director for the A ssociation of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA). "Without a consultant you're on your own and operating on faith and trust minus the safety net." A CAA travel consultant has the experience and expertise to help with any travel planning, including booking flights and accommoda- tions, plus offering advice on insurance, bag- gage concerns or passport queries. Doug Muskaluk, certified travel consul- tant (CTC) and CAA Regina South location manager, often refers to CAA travel consul- tants as "the concierges of travel." ""We welcome our customers and mem- bers with a smile," says Muskaluk. "During our meetings, everyone is treated with respect and hospitality that makes them feel almost like family. We have many loyal customers because they know in our world, their needs come first." Following are the many ways consultants such as Muskaluk can trump the online experience: Research assistance: CAA travel consul- tants are certified travel counsellors through ACTA – a designation achieved through expe- rience and continued education in travel products and destinations. Also, thanks to familiarization trips and their own frequent holiday outings, most consultants have extensively travelled the world. Eager to share this "been-there" expertise, consultants are adept at helping clients hone in on experi- ences, hotels and destinations that will match expectations. Itinerary building: Ask and you shall receive. Watch consultants shine as they assemble day-by-day holiday agendas com- plete with multiple reservation confirmations. at's days of research and poring over tour- ism websites – which are often packed with wildly conflicting views, opinions and some- times misleading photos – off your plate. Insider advantages: When it comes to bot- tom-line pricing, consultants call on their industry clout, connections and understand- ing of seasonal policies to deliver affordability. ey have the tools and technologies needed to compare and find the best deals and offers. So while travel consultants may charge a fee for their service, consumers end up saving in the long run. Information central: Paperwork is a make- or-break factor for stress-free holidays. It's a surprise to some travellers, for instance, that European and Asian countries require that Canadian passports be valid for three to six months following a trip's conclusion. Consul- tants take the guesswork out of visas, medi- cal/cancellation insurance and international driving permits. ey're also go-to authorities on currency, local customs, safety issues and airline schedule changes. Emergency assistance: If things go hay- wire, consultants will ensure their clients are equipped with the right insurance and call- centre backup to navigate cancelled reserva- tions and lost baggage. During large-scale disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, con- sultants immediately get busy tracking down their clients and making sure they're safe, to the relief of friends and family back home. At CAA Saskatchewan, the travel consul- tants' optimum goal is to make sure clients have the best vacation because they deserve it. "Our clients' and members' peace of mind is our top priority," says Muskaluk. "We're here at every step of the travel planning process, even when our clients are on their vacation and may need us to help with any problems such as missed flights. We don't want our cli- ents to waste their precious vacation time when things go wrong. at's our personal ser- vice; something you can't get from an Internet travel booking site." caask.ca/travel W SAVVY TRAVELLER Consultant Versus Internet Why travel consultants still matter in the age of online booking by Jeff Bateman CAA Saskatchewan Travel has more than 45 dedicated travel consultants. From Disney diehards to Europe experts, come find the right consultant for your next trip.