Dori Saltzman

It is important for agents to understanding the psychology of communication, including learning how to speak and what vocabulary to use while making their pitches.

Understanding the psychology of communication by learning how to speak and what vocabulary to use to present an offer is as important for agents as understanding human nature.

A travel agent's ability to customize their customers’ experiences, both the sales experiences and the resulting vacations, is critical.

Agents see hope for the fourth quarter and beyond as bookings pick up, albeit with a new demand for value.

Agents are forced to be on their toes while keeping track of the multiple price changes of vacations.

Agents benefit from new training programs launched by host agencies, parent companies and consortia.

Expectations for the travel industry in the fourth quarter are generally good, with last-minute bookings continuing to kick in.

Micro-blogging sites have become agents’ one-stop destination for getting the skinny on promotional prices, special packages, completed refurbishments and more.

Lack of demand and lower profitability cause agents to rethink their business strategies.