Travel agents urged to embrace the digital age

With increasing numbers of people booking their holidays online, traditional travel agents have been warned to embrace the digital world or risk being left behind.

The annual conference of the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) in Istanbul, Turkey at the weekend, was dominated by the challenge faced by travel agents as consumers bypass them to book their holidays online.

Despite coming with less security and no guarantees of a refund like a bonded travel company, surveys have shown that seven out of 10 people booked their holiday online last year, with over half stating that direct booking online was better value for money.