10 Reasons Travelers Still Need a Travel Agent

In the age of technology, booking trips online is an easy choice for travelers. And yet ​Travel Agents in Mumbai offer various International and Domestic Package deals. ​

Here are 10 reasons that why people prefer travel agents for traveling abroad or domestic.

Accountability
A travel agent’s job is on the line with every trip. Travel agents have a boss to answer to—or they are the boss—and they are a real person clients can speak with to work things out.

Knowledge
Travel agents have been doing the job for years and know all the ins and outs. Traveling to Europe for the first time? Instead of deciding where to go based on anonymous comments on a website, speak to someone who does this for a living and knows what they’re talking about.

More for your money
When booking an expensive trip, travelers want to see everything and experience the best a city has to offer. A travel agent can ensure travelers dollars go a long way—and make sure they don’t miss that amazing restaurant down the street, or the special event going on the day their in town. A travel agent knows where to go and when.

Setting an Itinerary
While some people enjoy “just winging it,” a travel agent can give a clear-cut schedule of what will be happening on a day-to-day basis, and keep clear records of everything that is included in the trip.

Budgeting
A travel agent can help map out exactly how much a trip will cost, so there are no surprises. Does that excursion on Monday include lunch, for example, or do you have to buy your own? Does it pay to take the drinks package on the cruise ship, or pay for the excursions in advance? A travel agent can guide you and save you money.

Insurance
Things happen. A travel agent can offer insurance in a number of ways, from guaranteeing that the hotel is safe and the company running the excursion won’t rob a traveler, to actually advising on which insurance policies are needed, from trip cancellation to medical emergencies. They also insure that travelers will have the correct travel documents, so they don’t end up missing their plane or cruise. And when things do go wrong, travel agents have the resources and the contacts to get travelers to the head of the line.

Resources
At the touch of travel agents’ fingertips they have resources a traveler simply does not. Yes, we have the internet, but there is so much still left unknown, especially in places that are undiscovered.

Exclusivity
Let’s face it, we all want to be a little bit different. A travel agent knows the new destinations and the new places in them —and often they can get their client in. Through their partners, they also often get freebies for their customers that range from a free drink to an exclusive admission to a hot event.

Time savings
Spending hours and weeks researching the perfect trip can take up a ton of time during a busy work week. A travel agent will spend a little time getting to know their client and what their are looking for, and then put together an entire vacation customized for them.

Leverage
Can’t book a room at a place you really want? Had a last minute addition to a trip but all the rooms are booked? No problem. Travel agents spend years developing long-term relationships, and travel companies understand how important their repeat business is. Travel agents have leverage with most hotel companies and resorts, and they are more likely to get what they want than a single consumer.

In short, if you have never visited a travel agent, you are missing out on a chance to save time and hassles and aggravation - and often, money as well.

Source- travelmarketreport.com 

Your Indian Passport Will Be Declared Invalid On November 24th 2015, If It Is Handwritten

If you are old school and love your hand written that little blue book, this news may come as a shocker for you. Handwritten Indian Passports will Be Declared Invalid on November 24th.

So your handwritten passport won’t take you on a foreign holiday. Neither can you fly out if it has a 20-year validity.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) which India is part of has decided to do away with non-machine readable (handwritten) passports globally.

Visa will not be issued by countries under the ICAO to persons holding passports that are handwritten or valid for 20 years. The rule will be implemented from November 25, 2015 globally.

In Indian those handwritten passports were issued before 2001, and are still in practice.

Indian citizens residing in India and abroad and holding such passports with validity beyond November 24, 2015 should apply for the reissue of their passports well before deadline.

Bengaluru passport office became one of the top offices to receive many quarries regarding this, media reports say.

Please be informed about this rule and make the changes in your passport getting a new one to avoid last minute glitches in your travel plan and spread the word across.

Source- thelogicalindian.com

Assam’s largest wetland to be promoted as tourist destination

Durba Ghosh  Anandapur (Assam), Nov 5 (PTI) The largest wetland in the Northeast – Sonbeel in Assam's Barak Valley – is all set to become a popular tourist destination with the state government taking several promotional initiatives in this direction.

The shimmering water of the fresh water lake coupled with the natural beauty of the hills surrounding it, a vibrant fishing community with rich folk culture and wide avian and piscean population makes the area in Karimganj district an ideal tourist spot.

"There is immense potential in developing the area in an eco-friendly manner for tourism. Tourists do visit the area but due to lack of proper accommodation, most are forced to return to the nearest town of Karimganj or Silchar," Karimganj deputy commissioner Sanjiv Gohain Boruah told PTI.

The government has decided to address this problem by setting up a tourist lodge in Mokam Kalibari village along the wetland and the funds have been already sanctioned for the purpose.

"The emphasis is to promote eco-friendly tourism without affecting the environment of the area. Photographers from far and near come to the area to capture its varied natural features and as such photography tourism, which has assumed special significance, with progress in digital photography, will also be a major focus area," he said.

People residing in the villages in the adjacent area belong to the fishing community and have a rich heritage of folk culture, particularly music, which the tourists can enjoy in the evenings, he said.

Source - news.niticentral.com

7 Holiday Destinations for Your Kids on This Diwali

Diwali is the festival of lights thus it is the best time to enlighten the wandering lust of your children and guide them to some of the exotic places in the country. Travelling with family not only brings the family together but also makes some of the memorable moments to cherish.

As Diwali holidays are coming closer get ready to book a family vacation from Mumbai with Crossworld Holidays to embrace a new experience by excusing the traditional way of celebration. Let us take a look at seven of the most interesting places in India to visit with your kids on this festival season.

Mount Abu, Rajasthan

Hills stations are always a favorite destination of any tourist. If you are in or near Rajasthan on this Diwali season, then what will be more interesting than exploring the only hills station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu? The place is referred to as 'an oasis in the desert' as its heights are home to rivers, lakes, waterfalls and evergreen forests. The hill station offers trekking, boating and rock climbing which will be refreshing activities for your kids.

Shimla, Himchal Pradesh

The capital of Himachal Pradesh is known among the tourism hubs in the country. The city is known for mountains and ancient buildings. As the winter season is on the way this might be the perfect holiday destination for your kids since they would get to play with the snow. Apart from culture reflecting historic temples and churches the city also offers great fun with activities like trekking, river rafting and camping which might interest your little ones.

Goa

The place where the sun and sand meets and known for its party culture. But don’t be worried about having a family time at India’s favorite tourist destination. The place offers more than what you expect apart from its numerous beaches and night clubs it also poses some historical churches and forts which are worth to visit with your family. Goa also offers various water sports and adventurous activities that will make this holiday most memorable for your kids.

Munnar, Kerala

Another hill station to visit this season is Munnar. The God’s own country is welcoming you in to the intoxicating natural beauty. If you are a nature lover and want to pass on the genes to your kids this might be a perfect holiday destination for your family. The tea estates, thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary, Kurinjimala Wildlife Sanctuary, Pampadam Shola National Park and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the major sightseeing options.

Amritsar, Punjab

The home of Golden temple, Amritsar will be an interesting option for holidaying with the family on this Diwali. The state of Punjab is known for its rich culture and food, thus making your kids to know about different cultures will be a great way to bring them close to mother India. Watching the lit up golden temple and fire show will bring joy to your kids. So let this Diwali a whole new experience for your family.

Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India and was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. The park is a hot hub of ecotourism in the country. It contains 488 different species of plants and a diverse variety of fauna. If you are a wildlife lover and your children love watching wildlife shows then this will be the best gift to them on this Diwali. The jeep safari and elephant safari at the national park will make your kids go wow. 

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan  

On this Diwali take your kids to Jaisalmer and give them the knowledge about history and culture of the town. The town stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone, crowned by a fort, which contains the palace and several ornate Jain temples. The beautiful town in Rajasthan is a World Heritage Site with many of the houses and temples finely sculptured and lie in the heart of Thar Desert. Thus watching the fire works with the fort as a backdrop and understanding the Rajput culture might excite your children

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Source:- siliconindia.com