The Matta Fair has just wrapped up, and as always, I made my annual pilgrimage to the event to research and check out the trending travel destinations. This time, the fair was buzzing with an abundance of booths. Some travel agencies were familiar, but there were also plenty of newcomers. Many offered strikingly similar packages, making it even harder to decide.

One common question arises: why does one travel agency offer cheaper rates compared to another? Well, I conducted my own little investigation. Take trips to Korea, for example. Some agencies offer prices as low as RM 1,888 for a 4-day, 3-night package, whereas others can charge up to RM 5,000 per person for a similar trip.

The same goes for Hainan tours. I was particularly tempted by this Hainan package—the pricing was reasonable, but what truly stood out was the attentive service and detailed explanations provided. Hainan had never been on my travel bucket list, but now I’m beginning to see its charm. Could Hainan be my next go-to destination?

Photo credit to www.kayak.com.my 

So, how do you determine which travel agencies are worth your time and trust? Believe it or not, I spent an entire day asking around. Some agencies impressed me with their professionalism, while others were mediocre.

My go-to question for agencies is always this: What sets your company apart from the rest? The answers can reveal a lot. Some agents honestly admit that their packages are similar to their competitors and encourage customers to choose based on personal comfort. Others elaborate on the added value they offer, such as extra services or exclusive perks. Then, there’s the third group—those who dodge the question entirely, which, to me, is a red flag.

After a long research, here’s a simple guide for a trustworthy travel agency:

1. Brand Reputation and Credibility

Personally, this is very important. Knowing the brand well will boost my belief and trust in engaging and approaching them.

2. Comfort and Service
Start by speaking with their representatives. Gauge their enthusiasm and willingness to assist. I’ve encountered agents who seemed disinterested, and for me, that’s an instant dealbreaker.

3. Experience
A seasoned travel agency often knows the ins and outs of destinations and can handle unforeseen issues with ease.

4. Price
Price is, of course, a major factor, especially for group travel. While saving money is great, ensure that the savings don’t come at the cost of subpar experiences or hidden charges.

Did I find my travel agency? I did—and I even shortlisted a few. I’d probably love to join the tour from Apple Vacations Malaysia, Parlo Tours, and Airlink. I am not sure how it goes, but so far, I hear good reviews about them, so let’s see. If the stars and the moon align with the timing and a reasonable price, I’ll join them and will share another post on my experience with the travel agency.

How about Golden Destinations? Well, I joined a tour to Guilin organized by Golden Destination last year with my entire family. Their offerings were pretty standard, and there were so many other booths promoting the packages. Little did I know, Golden Destination's business model was somewhat different; they work with numerous subagents. Since I was a big customer back then, bringing along eight people, the agent who assisted us got to join the tour with us.

The trip to Guilin was pleasant overall. However, I felt that the services and packages they provided were easily comparable to what other travel agencies offer. It was acceptable, but not exceptional. From the amount that I paid per person to Guilin (close to RM 3,500), I find it to be quite pricey. The accommodation and food provided were just average; it could have been better. And there were some hidden charges we had to top up if we wanted to attend the shows. If you don’t attend, you have free time. And that was not explained to us.

So, there you go - a few tips to guide you to a wonderful and memorable holiday. And I cannot help but stress the importance of engaging the right travel agency, as they can either make your holiday a memorable one or ruin it.

Written by,

FoodiesTravelblog

Ps: This is based on my personal opinion

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