The amount of people using travel agencies has grown significantly. Because of exponential travel agency growth, more scammers are joining the same field as they want to take advantage of tourists. It is very easy to get shortchanged on internet platforms as these scammers act very professional and use words and deals that lure you into working with them. Cruising is an investment, and most often than not, it requires quite an amount to get the whole trip in order.
Remember, falling victim to such scammers not only makes you lose your hard earned money but also makes your personal information available to hackers. For your safety and that of your loved ones, you want to make sure that the travel agency you choose is a credible one. What then are some of the warning signs that a travel agency might be a scam?
- Unlicensed Travel Agencies
All businesses, including travel agencies, need to have proper and valid licenses to offer their services to the public. Lack of the licenses thereof means that the agency is nothing but a scam. Before getting into contact with any of the travel agents from a given company, ensure that they show you a valid license. Be careful while checking out the licenses as some of the scammers makes similar license designs with a slight difference which, if not keen enough, might be challenging to notice.
- Poor Customer Service
It goes without saying that once bitten twice shy. Word of mouth is compelling in making or breaking a business. It is obvious that a customer will not want to transact with any business after an awful experience. As such, you want to work with a company with good reviews and excellent customer service. For example, when you look up reviews for InCruises on the internet, you will get to see many testimonials of what customers have to say about their interaction with the cruiseline. Additionally, besides having a great experience, you want to work with a company that benefits you in one way or the other. Fortunately, some companies offer membership services to their customers who are willing to become part of them and benefit when they refer others. As a result, you are able to get commissions, as well as bonuses and, in some cases, cruise trips to your dream destinations.
- Unprofessionalism
You do not want to work with amateurs in the cruising travel trips. Remember, there are a lot of risks associated with traveling in the deep seas across continents. You want to work with a team that has the much-needed experience about how the journey is and what to expect of it. Additionally, you can note an unprofessional travel agent by how they answer your questions. If they seem unsure of their exact prices, the itinerary, as well as the precise cruise route, it might mean they are a scam.
- Advance Payments Without A Contract
Like any other tour, you need to make the necessary payments before commencing the journey. When you find a travel agent who is continually calling you telling you to make payments via your phone, run! When they seem suddenly agitated when you tell them that you will make the payments on a later date before the set deadline and they keep pressuring you, that is a sign that you are dealing with scammers. It is essential that you ensure that you insist on signing a contract with the travel agency while making your payments. Also, ensure that you keep a copy of the contract too.
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