In the internet age, with many people taking a do-it-yourself approach to booking their vacations or business trips, it might seem that traditional travel agents are surplus to requirements.

But that is far from the case for Worldview Travel in Hamilton, which is continuing to flourish.

It is doing so by delivering added value, such as utilising its agents’ wealth of experience and knowledge of how the travel industry works to secure the best deals for clients, and giving customers something that’s hard to come by online — the human touch.

It can arrange air tickets, cruises, tours and full vacation itineraries.

And the company is not standing still, an online booking tool has been created to allow corporate clients the opportunity of doing some of the itinerary booking themselves, if they wish, but also have a travel agent on hand to assist, finish off trip details, and take care of problems that might arise.

“We are bringing awareness that we have this booking tool now,” said Janet Robinson, corporate manager.

“A lot of clients were not aware that we could offer this. They can go online and book their seat and have the agent there as well to finish off the trip details.”

Explaining the potential benefits, she said: “You can work in tandem with an agent. If you have a complicated trip, rather than just go somewhere online, where there isn’t a person you can talk to, you can come to us and have a personalised experience.

“We believe as a corporate agency we are unique. We are not just a call centre. You have this relationship with travel agents, you know who you are dealing with.

“We can advise people and encourage them and find the best fares.”

Ms Robinson pointed out that someone booking their own airline tickets and seeking the lowest price, would have to trawl through many airline websites to be sure of securing the best deal. And if that person wanted to fly out on one airline, but come back on another, they would have yet more website juggling to do.

However, she said that by using Worldview Travel the time spent searching for deals and making bookings could be saved by allowing an agent to do the searching and tapping into the best deals.

Having experienced travel agents with extensive knowledge of how the industry works, and who are well versed in where to find and secure the best prices and deals, is key to the company’s success, according to branch manager Pat Trott.

“We are here to offer the benefit of being able to talk to someone and share knowledge. We have a wealth of experience,” she said.

“If you are travelling on business you don’t want to be worrying about travel and flight connections.

“That’s the beauty of using travel agents. We pride ourselves in serving the client and serving them well. We have the knowledge.”

When problems arise during a trip, such as flight cancellations and delays, having an agent you can call up to assist make alternative arrangements can bring a lot of peace of mind, Ms Trott explained.

“Travellers are very savvy and can go online and book on their own, but we have had people call us up after they have booked and paid for a ticket and then realised they put in the wrong date,” she said. “We pay attention to such details. If you go online there is no one to talk to you.”

She also noted that clients often build enduring relationships with their favoured agent, which she said was another plus for the company and customers.

“Each agent has a following. The clients come back to them. There is loyalty and we appreciate that.”

Worldview Travel in Bermuda was created in 2011 when C Travel was sold to Worldview Travel, which has more than 15 offices throughout North America. The Worldview group achieves hundred of millions of dollars of sales each year, giving it leverage with travel operators when securing price deals and other perks for clients.

Ms Trott said: “We can find the better rates. It’s the same with selling cruises and tours. We can offer on-board benefits and extra amenities and perks, promotions and credits.”

Worldview Travel merged with travel agents Meyer-Franklin Travel in 2013. The company is based at the former Meyer-Franklin offices on Church Street, opposite the General Post Office.

Last month Worldview advertised for three travel agent positions as it prepared for the vacation season to come.

Ms Trott said that, where once many people would take three vacations or overseas trips each year, there has been a downscaling trend in recent years with customers now only seeking one or perhaps two trips per year.

Her colleague Ms Robinson said: “There have been some cutting back, but we are seeing things going back up. It’s not back to where it was, but it is coming back.

“I’m very optimistic with the corporate side. I think we can be very competitive. We can offer the best of both worlds.”

Branch manager Ms Trott added: “This year looks positive. The numbers are good.”