Death of the travel agent: Covid-19 an existential threat for an industry without ‘any product to sell’ | Business

Qravel agencies are facing an “existential threat” as continuing border closures mean they “don’t have any product to sell”, with business analysts predicting the phasing out of government wage subsidies is likely to mean most larger agencies survive. However, some travel agencies, despite reporting “zero revenue” since the pandemic began and having to pay back fees for canceled holidays, hope that – by sparing their clients lengthy phone calls with airlines by negotiating refunds on their behalf – they will have demonstrated their value to customers eager to travel when restrictions allow it. Travel websites’ surging share of holiday bookings…

How this man fought for $5,200 after a travel agency spent his airline vouchers — on other clients

Surinderpal Gill trusted the travel agency where he bought tickets for a family trip to India two years ago. But then he found himself out more than $5,200 and his trust was broken. Last June, Air Canada sent All Link Travel, based in Toronto, three vouchers to compensate Gill for return flights that were canceled as aviation ground to a halt amid the pandemic. But instead of telling him, Gill says the travel agency repeatedly said there was no sign of the valuable travel documents. It then used those vouchers to pay for trips for other people. “I feel like…