EBAY’S move to become an online travel agent is anticipated to impact the business of travel agencies catering to groups travels but not that of specialists, said agents in Hong Kong. Sef Lam, owner of Via Vai Travel, said people have become more comfortable buying a point-to-point air tickets through the internet, and the same could be said for hotel bookings, especially if the hotel chain is of a good brand and reputation.
Specialist agents, however, still have their use. “...Travel agents like us can also suggest places that are interesting to the individual travelers - we know our clients’ interest, their birthdays, even their children’s birthdays, their wedding anniversaries - and can arrange something special in the hotel rooms to celebrate these special occasions.
There will be a market for ebay - the travel industry is big enough for us all to grow. But only a human travel agent can make the trip special for the travellers!” said Lam.
Meanwhile, another specialist agent Concorde Travel said they look at the ebay development with a certain amount of detachment. “If we were in the mainstream business of doing package tours and group travel, then I would be very concerned and would be calling on my managers for a rethink in strategy, possibly on how to get“ added value” into our packages.
Hong Kong is notorious for the mass market going after the cheapest deal available, and if you can save HK$50 on the cost, then you will usually get the business.
It really is that cutthroat,” said Robert Mayhead, assistant to managing director. Concorde’s clients are more conscious of “true value for money” which is to get exactly what they want from their holiday, not in the monetary sense, but in relation to atmosphere, service and ambience as well as the right destination, which can also be a dilemma of choice for some.
