In 1996 we launched our Excel Travel meets/beats the Internet campaign and very successfully proved to all “doubters” that there is great value in working with a knowledgeable travel agent.

We continuously kept our clients up-to-date with information on the various travel web sites that supposedly are so much better and cheaper than a regular travel agency.

Many articles touted the travel web sites the best thing since sliced bread and proclaimed the death of the travel agent (I grant you, it made great headlines). Well, many of the travel web sites have come and gone, and Excel Travel is still here.

The “sexiness” has worn off and most travelers have learned that nothing beats a good old fashioned travel agent and that we can get them the same or even better value (especially considering that you don't have to spend YOUR time!).

The most recent study (10/1/05) by Topaz International compared 19,000 bookings through a travel agency with Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity and the various airline web sites:

• travel agency bookings averaged $116 less than the same itineraries booked on the Internet travel sites
• Topaz was able to find lower fares on the Internet only 8% of the time, but then they were typically not “apple to apple” comparisons.

Please keep in mind the fact you have access to the IRS website does not make you an accountant, and just because you can write your own will, you are a long way from being an attorney. Likewise, you might have access to all the travel web sites, but you don't have the experience and expertise of a good travel consultant, who works with these web sites daily.
… and remember, it won't cost you more to get EXCEL-lent service!

Put us to the test, we look forward to hearing from you.