Distribution Channels

Travel agencies (TAs) Group 5 Laura Comella Anna Espadaler Mariya Podokshik Junko Yamazaki What is a Travel agency?

A business that helps to make arrangements for people who want to travel

✈ Travel agents can arrange all types of domestic and international travel, from hotel and resort accommodations to air and ground transportation, including car rental needs and tour packages.

✈ They can also provide assistance with travel insurance protection, passport and visa applications, inoculation procedures and other foreign travel requirements. Where do TA’s stand within the distribution channel chain? B2C (Business to Consumer)

✈ Travel agencies are businesses who distribute travel links and tourism services on behalf of suppliers (hotels, tour companies, airlines, etc.) to customers (travellers, tourists, etc.)

✈ They are an indirect form of a distribution channel - as travel agents act as the “middleman” Advantages and disadvantages of using TAs

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

● Comfort in the country of destination – you are mostly provided with transfer to hotel and the representative of the agency can ● It’s not always cheap solve any of your problems. ● You have some limitations such as restrictions on which hotel you stay, ● Your vacation is organized. duration of your stay, excursions, etc

● You don’t need to worry about buying ● You can encounter commission and hidden fees tickets and booking hotels. that are not always explained. Therefore, although some things you get a good deal on, ● They have more expertise and connections- other things you may be overcharged for. opening up new deals for you. ● Once the office closes, you are on your own

● Travel agents usually work with other experts in the field so if your agent is only a certain location, it is likely they

have a colleague that can give professional consulting on another destination Example 1: A Girl’s Gotta Go, LLC.

✈ Boston, MA based full service luxury travel agency - specialized in all-inclusive destination packages for women by women and those whom they travel with ○ Bachelorette parties, girls’ getaway, birthday bashes, weddings, family reunions, anniversaries… https://www.facebook.com/agirlsgottagotravel/videos/10153627904157955/ https://www.facebook.com/agirlsgottagotravel/videos/10153006116652955/ ✈ They mostly specialize in luxury beach destinations with warm climates ○ Caribbean, Hawaii, Tahiti, , Fiji and much more... ✈ But they can also customize ‘active-themed’ vacations for bikers, hikers, runners, etc… ○ Singles+Solos: Say Aloha to Hawaii, Greece Biking, Ready Sea Go - The Royal 5K Collaboration with A Girl’s Gotta Go, LLC.

✈ This travel agency is joined with Ensemble Travel® Group - an international network of approx. 850 expert travel agencies in the US and offering travelers special benefits and savings through its superior amenity program and unique product portfolio

✈ Together working side-by-side, A Girl’s Gotta Go has access to collection of hotel industry leading brands and boutique travel suppliers to deliver exclusive values and special privileges to clients

✈ Work with over 500 four and five-star properties in the most popular resort and

city destinations around the world http://issuu. com/ensembletravelgroup/docs/ensemble_hotel_resort_collection_2012?e=0 Costs, General Conditions and Other Services

✈ Commission made off per person deposit costs

✈ Also, through connecting clients online to businesses they partner with they earn commission, without clients even realizing → http://www.agirlsgottago.com/gotta-go-here2 http://africantravelinc.com/?code=GOTTAGO)

✈ Unless indicated, price packages do not include airfare, gratuities, meals, telephone calls, applicable resort services fees, personal or incidental items, or any other features not listed except where otherwise noted

✈ Late booking fees, travel insurance, cancellation fees, revision fees…

✈ Through Ensemble Travel ® Group, A Girls Gotta Go clients are offered a complimentary Ensemble® Exclusive - a special amenity ranging from spa credits and airport transfers to well-stocked welcome baskets and dining discounts EXAMPLE 2: Topdeck Travel

✈ Adventure travel agency based in England.

✈ Unforgettable travel adventures across the globe for young travellers, from 18 to 30 somethings. https://www.facebook.com/TopdeckTravel/videos

✈ Adventures combined with authenticity, friendship and great stories to share.

✈ They offer a range of exciting trips in , & , and the , , and .

✈ All tours include all transport and accommodation, heaps of meals and loads of “Totally Topdeck” experiences. Collaboration with Topdeck Travel

✈ Many 3* hotels, modern hostels, campings, and bungalows, work side-by- side with Topdeck Travel. They have access to this industry to deliver a social trip style for fun-seeking, adventurous, solo and group travellers alike.

✈ They collaborate with the local suppliers for the optional activities that are not operated by Topdeck.

✈ Topdeck Travel collaborate and offer their services to other adventure travel agencies such as Backpackers world.

Costs, General Conditions and Other Services ✈ They have specials deals, such as discount rewards for early payments, multi trips, etc. → https://www.topdeck.travel/special-offers/discount-rewards

✈ Unless indicated, price packages do not include: plane tickets, all meals, telephone calls, personal or incidental items, or any other features not listed

✈ On all trips they have arranged extra activities. These are not included in the cost of the trip.

✈ Topdeck crew never expect tips and will not ask for any; that’s not what friends do!

✈ Travelling abroad with Topdeck you may require a visa to enter to certain countries, depending on your nationally. It is traveler's responsibility to obtain the correct visa/visas for their trip. Make sure you’re good to go

✈ Topdeck clients are required to have comprehensive travel insurance to cover them while travelling with Topdeck. Example 3: Abercrombie and kent ✈ Luxury travel agency based in Africa. They have offices all over the world-specializing in refined and extravagant travel. ○ Organize family friendly experiences, small group, and solo travel. Target audience (B2C) is 40 and up due to the prices of the travel experiences.

✈ Destinations include Africa, Latin America, Asia, Caribbean, Himalayas, Arctic, etc ○ Experiences range from beach getaways, mountain excursions, to safaris, international festivals (Carnaval), and cruises.

✈ They also customize extra luxury experiences for individuals who are part of their Marco Polo club. This adds an extra feeling of extravagance and exclusivity to the membership. Collaboration with abercrombie and kent

✈ Abercrombie and Kent collaborate and offer their services to other international luxury travel agencies (such as Virtuoso).

✈ Packages do not include air services, however, A&K have in house air deals for their clients, partnering with aviation groups such as Delta and Emirates.

✈ Ability to customize their package with trip extensions to other luxury “layover” destinations.

✈ Collaborate with an extensive network of luxury hotel, transport, dining, and experience companies internationally (Four Seasons, Mandarin, etc).

✈ Does not offer any discount or credit opportunities since it is such an exclusive and high end agency. Costs, General Conditions and Other Services

✈ The package includes excursion pricing and hotel amenities. Flights are not included but there is an option to add a flight through A&K for extra

✈ Occasionally they discount their packages if you pre-book early

✈ For group trips, they offer discounts if a certain amount of people book, or discounts per couple on “couples” trips

✈ Offer “passport kit” which is an online tool/program from A&K that offers assistance in obtaining a visa to the destination country Example 4: Bru & Bru - Exclusive Travel Designer

✈ Luxury travel agency based in Barcelona. ✈ They select the most fascinating destinations, the most exclusive properties and the most unusual activities → designing unique trips and creating new and cool experiences. ✈ Since 2007, they are the only Spanish Virgin Galactic Accredited Space Agent (ASA) ✈ They always recommend trips they have experienced at first hand. This is their commitment and unconditional guarantee. Collaboration with Bru & Bru

✈ Their secret is their partners at the destinations ✈ Collection of unique and truly romantic luxury resorts ✈ Virgin Galactic ✈ Collaborate and offer their services to other international Travel Agencies Costs, General Conditions and Other Services

✈ They have specials deals, such as discount rewards for early payments, multi trips, etc.

✈ All airlines tickets are subject to supplemental price increases that may be imposed after the date of purchase.

✈ Each Supplier has its own terms and condition that are applicable to your particular arrangements in addition to our general terms and conditions.

✈ Unless indicated, price packages do not include meals, telephone calls and any other features not listed

REFERENCES http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/travel%20agency http://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/distribution-channel.asp http://travelsense.org/tips/TipsDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=13670 http://budgeting.thenest.com/pros-cons-using-travel-agent-vs-booking-online-23416.html http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2012/01/20/why-you-need-a-travel-agent-part-1/#46e7091a337b http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/none/why-you-still-need-a-travel-agent http://bieap.gov.in/Pdf/TTPaperIIYR2.pdf http://www.bru-bru.com/es/world http://www.backpackersworld.com/australia https://www.topdeck.travel https://www.facebook.com/TopdeckTravel/videos