Travel agents help tourist sort through vast amounts of information to help them make the best possible travel arrangements. Agents offer advice on destinations and make arrangements for transportation, hotel accommodations, car rentals, and tours for their clients.

Agents are also the first source of bookings for most of the major cruise lines. In addition, resorts and specialty travel groups use travel agents to promote travel packages to their clients.

Travel agents who primarily work for tour operators and other travel arrangers may help develop, arrange, and sell the company’s own package tours and travel services. They may promote these services, using telemarketing, direct mail, and the Internet.

They make presentations to social and special-interest groups, arrange advertising displays, and suggest company-sponsored trips to business managers.

They face increasing competition from travel and airline websites for low-cost fares, but travelers still prefer using travel agents who can provide customized service and planning for complex itineraries to remote or multiple destinations. To attract these travelers,

many travel agents specialize in specific interest destinations; travel to certain regions, or in selling to particular demographic groups.