As Small Business Saturday approaches, many of us are thinking about how we can support our community through our local businesses. Buying our holiday gifts at local shops, ordering from creators’ online stores, or hiring a local professional for a home project all give small business owners a boost. But don’t forget about your local travel agent!

Many travel agents work their travel businesses from home. This means travelers may not see a storefront to remind them about the services travel agents provide. But they are an important part of the small business community!

We can think of many reasons why travel agents rock, but these are among the most important to keep in mind during the holiday shopping season.

1. Travel Agents Work for You

One of the most common misconceptions about travel agents work for the companies that they are selling travel for, but that’s not the case. Travel agents work on behalf of the traveler! They personally guide their clients through the process of finding the right travel experience within the budget clients set. Often, they share two or three of their best options. Then, their clients choose the final option, saving travelers time and energy.

2. Expert Advice for Stress-Free Travel Planning

We’ve all been put on hold with call centers before, and it’s never a fun experience. But with a travel agent, that’s no longer a part of the travel planning process. You’ll work with a real person who understands your needs and has direct connections to travel brands and companies. Combined with personal experiences, their expert knowledge gives travelers confidence in knowing someone has their back.

3. They’re Here for You Long-Term

The challenges during the pandemic showed many travelers why it’s more important than ever to book with their travel agent. Travel agents are there for their clients from the day they start talking travel until they return home from a vacation. If something should go wrong, they have a direct line with travel companies and will work on behalf of their clients to correct errors and reschedule trips.

They also help clients plan trips far into the future by booking travel with a deposit. This allows travelers to pay the remaining costs over time. And since booking early is often the best value, this helps their clients get the most out of every dollar.

Like many small businesses, travel agents have weathered a challenging past few years. But we can finally say that travel is back! So whether it’s a long weekend in the U.S., a week relaxing in the Caribbean, or an epic bucket list adventure, local travel agents are ready and excited to help travelers get started this Small Business Saturday and every day!