These days we all travel more on our yearly vacations, some more than others while the really adventurous like to travel as far away from where they live as they can. Fortunately, there isn’t a corner of the earth that doesn’t have a travel site dedicated to it so it is easy obtaining information on the internet. Many people use the internet now to plan even complex travel plans, never seeing a travel agent. The main problem is the convenience of it all and the huge savings that can be found using the internet.
I know it is the norm now but I am not comfortable planning my once a year vacation like this. I much prefer to deal with someone I can see and touch, that’s why I still use my travel agent and I also know they have a real office that I can visit. A travel agent will also fully expect changes to be made during the booking process and can be more flexible in their approach including when there are problems. I have never found it easy dealing with travel sites especially when I want to have a discussion with someone before I make a decision on something; plus on the very rare occasion you manage to get through to a support line, they are not as helpful as someone sitting in front of you.
Even if you are lucky enough to talk to a person, how do you know they are telling you the truth about the situation? With a travel agent they are real and I can always go back to them and clarify points especially if something goes wrong. One of my friends only ever uses the travel sites to book her vacations but she does like the last minute discounts that can be found which are much easier to find using the internet. There are always huge savings to be had by waiting until the last possible moment to book but you have to be flexible with your travel arrangements to do this.
I’m not one for last minute travel although I suppose I could be if my schedule was more flexible but my job requires me to ask for vacation months in advance. If you are flexible though, booking through a travel site could be incredibly worthwhile plus, travel sites offer discount coupons and prices for excursions or miscellaneous items when you book online. Knowing a little about what you want and information about the location you want to travel too can be useful so I still research as much of this as I can online before I pay my travel agent a visit. Perhaps it isn’t fair because I know that it will be my travel agent that will hear my complaints if my vacation doesn’t go according to plan.
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Excellent Doug – I'll check it out and hope to see you here at Mashup Camp again. I really like the GeoRSS implications for travel sites, though I was talking with MS about the challenge that folks won't geo tag themselves. I think we need some automation from the big blogging places so you can find blogs located in, for example, Indianapolis without the blogger doing anything.
hey Jamie,
As you doing question three which covers how tech is being utilised and outcomes, a great example is flight center. They gone online and still shop front
they advertise online, also on other travel sites, and are using web 2.0 social networking sites to advertise as well. You can talk about how they have used tech to become bigger, stronger and Australia's leading travel agent chain.
Fresh on 9to6 blog: what travel sites seem to be the best?
Do I even want to bother posting a Ripoff Report? Honestly, I try to avoid travel websites as much as I can. I use them to look up good deals on rates, but then I try to see if I can get those same rates through the actual company website. It works better for airfare than hotels, though, since most hotel deals are available because Expedia/etc has booked a block of rooms at a discounted rate.
I think the problem with moving services is that they charge you for a shipping container, regardless of how full it is. We don't have enough to fill a container. It's really just a large wooden trunk.
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CANNES, Dec 13 – Facebook, Twitter and a host of invite-only travel websites are fast becoming a key pipeline for well-heeled travellers as well as the budget-conscious to find hot deals and destinations. Bigwigs from the world’s elite travel industry, gathered in the chic Riviera resort of Cannes for the annual ILTM trade fair that wrapped up …
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Do I even want to bother posting a Ripoff Report? Honestly, I try to avoid travel websites as much as I can. I use them to look up good deals on rates, but then I try to see if I can get those same rates through the actual company website. It works better for airfare than hotels, though, since most hotel deals are available because Expedia/etc has booked a block of rooms at a discounted rate.
I think the problem with moving services is that they charge you for a shipping container, regardless of how full it is. We don't have enough to fill a container. It's really just a large wooden trunk.
We compare all major travel sites to find you the best price for your hotel!
I'm so jealous that you're getting to do all this traveling! You should see if one of the travel websites will pay you for reviews of all these hotels you're staying at…
I agree with you that the difficulties lead to interesting shows. A lot of times the inventiveness that comes out of fixing and stalling leads to other moments of creativity. It's great. Most importantly, it makes those shows even more memorable.
RT One of my favorite travel sites, Gogobot, is giving you a chance to win an iPad! Check it out: #contest
Good thinking All the travel sites are confusing-I am looking for a good old fashioned way to save. Exuberan
Great Blog !! You did such a good job on documenting your vacation. My wife and I just came back from Iberostar Grand Paraiso (Sept 4-11). I've been to Cancun/Riviera Maya 7 times (Secrets Maroma, Riu Palace, etc..) and I must say that the IB Grand beats them all… The service “with a smile” is what really differentiate this hotel from the rest. They deserve more credit than what I see in travel websites. I'm glad you've created this blog. By the way, happy 50th B-day!!
-Leo
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#Curated list of the popular travel sites – -If your favorite is not in here let us know and we will add it #travel
I've never done one of the single travel sites, but you should definitely go! I've travelled alone and it's so great! It's very scary at first but it's so liberating. You'll have a great time and really get to know yourself and what you're capable of. Go for it and have fun!
I liked this idea but in trying to execute a wiki, found it more difficult. In fact, I had to hail our “wiki master” to help me complete the assignment. It was ironic that in Dec. 1 Business Section of the Chicago Tribune in an article about travel websites, a wiki is used by one site (Kayak.com) to allow people to plan travel together. I think I would like to use a wiki to plan our next family reunion.
I've never done one of the single travel sites, but you should definitely go! I've travelled alone and it's so great! It's very scary at first but it's so liberating. You'll have a great time and really get to know yourself and what you're capable of. Go for it and have fun!
I have found that a lot of travel websites are poorly designed, and agree with you that expedia has found a way to ease the stress of planning a vacation, while letting you compare rates and package deals. The experience on this sight is a very pleasant one, and the 20.00 check out fee is nothing to sweat about. While browsing other travel sights I have spent hours trying to find the best deal, when I could have been enjoying my vacation.
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I've never done one of the single travel sites, but you should definitely go! I've travelled alone and it's so great! It's very scary at first but it's so liberating. You'll have a great time and really get to know yourself and what you're capable of. Go for it and have fun!
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