Travelling to your dream destination is nothing short of exciting. But let’s face it; having an unforgettable trip requires a lot of careful and intentional planning.
From flights to accommodation and even a kick-ass itinerary, it can all get quite overwhelming!
Luckily, travel agencies are there to make things easier. You get to be assisted by someone who is knowledgeable and your trip is carefully curated from start to finish. This takes away the stress of having to worry about every little detail of your holiday.
According to Lameez Sheikh Yunoos of Roadtrippers Travel, the services of an agent are aimed at giving the traveller surety and peace of mind.
Since 2012, Roadtrippers has made many travel dreams come true with trips to local and international destinations including Cape Town, Mozambique, Zanzibar and Thailand.
However, the rise in fake and unreliable travel agencies has brought challenges to the travel industry for good agencies and eager travellers alike.
“Reputable travel agencies have had to go the extra mile in proving themselves because there are just so many scams out there. It’s also important for people to do their research so they can spot these scams,” said Yunoos.
Indeed, there are plenty of red flags which can serve as an indication that you are dealing with a bogus travel agency. Here are just five to look out for.
Lack of communication / poor service
Communication is important. If you are receiving poor service or a lack of communication during the planning phase or when making a query, take this as a red flag.
Poor communication and lack of responses may be an indication that you will have a terrible and disorganised trip. The worst case scenario may even be that the trip does not take place at all.
Zero transparency
If getting basic information about your trip feels like squeezing water from a stone, you should be worried.
A good travel agency should be willing to share all the necessary information regarding your trip. Details about your accommodation, as well as the activities on your itinerary should not be kept a secret.
Bad reviews
Reviews often tell you all you need to know. Platforms such as Google reviews and Hellopeter enable customers to write about their experiences with a particular agency.
While it is true that no business is exempt from receiving a bad review from time to time, you should be concerned if your chosen travel agency has an alarmingly large number of bad reviews.
Unrealistic deals
We’d all love to get the most out of our money. However, unrealistic deals are a huge red flag. If something seems too good to be true, it most probably is.
For example, if you are promised a week-long trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town for the price of R3 500 including flights, there’s most likely a catch.
As such, it is important to do your research regarding the estimated costs about your travel destination. That way, you will be able to differentiate between a good bargain and something that is simply unrealistic.
Accessibility and online presence
In today’s digital age, most reputable travel agencies have a secure and trusted website. They are also active on various social media platforms.
In viewing the online presence of an agency, you can get more information about them and do the necessary background checks.
A lack of additional details such as a contact number or physical address should be a cause for concern.
If a particular travel agency does not exist beyond the marketing email they sent you, that should be reason enough for you to reconsider.
Written by Nomvelo Masango
