Low cost airlines have made it possible for individuals to make huge savings on flights especially by booking mid week and at least two weeks in advance. There has been more and more one way tickets purchased.
The modern traveler wants more flexibility and will often extend or shorten their trips depending on how much they are enjoying themselves. The package holiday companies placed massive burdens on the infrastructure and environment of summer holiday destinations such as Majorca and the Algarve. Their ability to monopolise the accommodation market and dictate pricing has not only created ghost towns that are virtually deserted for most of the year, it has also conned thousands of people with misleading real estate opportunities and created a housing bubble and surplus as well as unnecessarily spoiling miles of coastline.
There are huge benefits in renting holiday villa accommodation with the owners direct over accepting a tin sardine holiday. There are fewer middle men taking their hefty commissions for renting the villa, apartment or hotel room to you.
You can save money when these savings are passed on. You get to choose exactly which property you are renting. Instead of finding yourself in a murky hotel room with a leaking sink or a green swimming pool you have the freedom to personally speak with someone you can trust and who takes pride in providing a service of a higher standard and better value for money.
The idependent traveller has far greater freedom to change their plans and discover spontaneously. The trend towards independent travel has colossal benefits for the environment and local economies. Instead of profits being siphoned off into the already inflated bank accounts of mammoth corporations, small businesses and the local economy get a bigger slice of the pie.
The season is extended as independent travelers take advantage of lower prices and less competition in the shoulder and low seasons. Independent holiday makers travel further afield and to more diverse locations off the beaten path. And our Babel problem was solved, as we all realized that we finally managed to communicate what we wanted. He pointed us in the direction of the gas station and we said goodbye to him like we were old friends, with smiles and waves and all. That may and may not be true — sure, guides are well-prepared and have extensive experience in visiting a particular destination, but with so many resources today that allow you to learn about destinations even from your own home, there is no excuse for you to be unprepared for the place you are visiting.
Read books, browse the web, connect with people on forums, buy guidebooks — and learn about the place yourself. Independent traveling requires more preparation than just packing your suitcase. Of course you can take a trip without having any set plans of points of interest, but for the majority of people, travel is still a luxury and they want to use up those few weeks they have available for a trip as best as they can — so they usually plan.
I was checking their availability some three months before our trip to Malta and, as there were still many empty slots at that time, I thought I would do it some other time. Naturally, when I finally decided to buy the tickets, they were all sold out. Of course that going to your local tourist agency and just paying for a trip that was already planned out in minute detail is much easier and faster than researching your desired destination for days, even months, but if you just try it once, chances are you will see how rewarding it is to take matters into your own hands and how well spent all the energy you invested into planning your independent trip was.
I know that there are as many types of travelling as there are travelers and that some may have a completely different opinion to mine. I just wanted to share my experiences and tell anyone who is interested or is thinking about embarking on their first self-planned trip that independent traveling works, it is amazing and rewarding and enriching in more ways you can imagine.
I would also love to know what you think about this topic so feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section! You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Google account. You are commenting using your Twitter account. You are commenting using your Facebook account.
Notify me of new comments via email. Notify me of new posts via email. What are their pros and cons? Which is the better option? The choice may be up to you, but it pays to know the difference. Travel agents can make your life easier. Although sporadically, we have used travel agents before and they arranged everything: tickets, arrival, departure, guided tours and sometimes even restaurant meals.
These people are usually skilled at assessing your travel expectations and needs and direct you to the top possible destinations, accommodations, and transportation. They can suggest an itinerary for you based on your preferences and budget. They can organize your entire trip. It takes the worry away from you, but at the same time, takes a bit of fun mostly planning. Choosing a travel agency can save you a lot of time researching.
If you want expert guidance about your destination, then a local agency is skilled in organizing everything for you on the spot. They are usually equipped with a mountain of info and travel agency software. Moreover, they can also give you access to some exclusive offers. In some countries, such as Australia, another popular way of booking is through a discount travel marketing company such as TripADeal.
These companies are a cross between a traditional full-service travel agency and an online booking site. No matter how legit an agency is, there is a chance that you encounter problems with your agent. It would be a total misfortune if you hired a travel agency and they ripped you off by not meeting their obligations of the service.
Famous travel and booking websites such as tripadvisor are best avenues to complain to. In order to avoid untoward situations with an agency, it is always best to choose one with a good reputation, so check the company and what people say about it online before signing up.
Independent traveling means no travel agents, and usually less money leaving your pocket. When traveling independently, you make your decisions as to when you travel, where you sleep, what you like to eat and generally, what activities you like to experience. Since no one is making all the bookings for you and there are no add-on charges, it is often a cheaper and more flexible option.
You also get to experience the predeparture fun of planning and researching all the little details. The best places to travel to without the help of a travel agent is basically anywhere in the planet. Traveling independently means that you are confident with your research skills. War-torn nations are big no for most independent travelers.
Choosing travel agencies wisely is a must. No one wants to end up lost in a foreign land. Thereby, when selecting an agency, it is ideal that they are legit and you know how to make use of their services. Calling the agent is the first step. Then, you tell them your travel inclinations. Most agencies have links abroad.
With links abroad, the agencies will have someone coordinate with you in another place and they will escort you to tours depending on the package you took. When traveling with agencies, make sure that you get the most of their services. You can always ask them questions and contact them anytime for other travel concerns.
First times are mostly moments that call for excitement.
0コメント