5 Ways to Identify Fake and Unreliable Travel Agencies

Going to your dream destination is incredibly exciting. But, let’s be honest – planning an unforgettable trip requires a lot of careful thought and preparation.

Booking flights, finding the perfect accommodation, and creating an awesome itinerary can be overwhelming.

Thankfully, travel agencies are here to help. They have knowledgeable experts who can curate your trip from start to finish, making everything easier for you. With their assistance, you won’t have to stress about every little detail of your vacation.

As Lameez Sheikh Yunoos from Roadtrippers Travel explains, travel agencies are all about providing travelers with certainty and peace of mind.

Since 2012, Roadtrippers has been fulfilling travel dreams for people like you. We’ve taken adventurers to both local and international destinations, from Cape Town to Mozambique, from Zanzibar to Thailand.

But, unfortunately, the travel industry is facing a challenge: the rise of fake and unreliable travel agencies. This makes it difficult for both trustworthy agencies, like us, and eager travelers, like you.

“Reputable agencies like ours have had to work extra hard to prove ourselves because there are so many scams out there. It’s crucial for people to do their research and be able to identify these scams,” said Yunoos.

There are several red flags that can help you spot a fake travel agency. Here are five of them:

Lack of communication or poor service: If the agency is not responsive to your inquiries or provides subpar service, it’s a clear sign that something is amiss.

Communication is key. If you’re not getting good service or if there’s a lack of communication when you’re planning or asking questions, that’s a big warning sign.

When communication is poor and there’s no response, it could mean that your trip is going to be a mess. It might even mean that the trip won’t happen at all.

Lack of transparency

If it’s like pulling teeth to get basic information about your trip, that’s a cause for concern.

A good travel agency should be open and honest about all the details of your trip. They shouldn’t keep secrets about your accommodations or the activities on your itinerary.

Negative reviews

When it comes to evaluating travel agencies, customer reviews are a valuable source of information. Websites like Google reviews and Hellopeter allow people to share their experiences and opinions about different agencies.

Although it’s normal for any business to have a few negative reviews, it’s important to pay attention if a travel agency has an unusually high number of bad reviews.

Beware of unrealistic deals

We all want to make the most of our money, but when a travel agency offers deals that seem too good to be true, it’s wise to be skeptical. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

For example, if a travel agency promises a week-long trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town, including flights, for only R3,500, there is likely some hidden catch or additional fees.

When planning a trip, it’s essential to do some research on the estimated costs of your travel destination. This way, you can distinguish between a good deal and something that’s unrealistic.

Easy access and online presence

In today’s digital age, most trustworthy travel agencies have a secure and reliable website. They also maintain an active presence on various social media platforms.

By examining the online presence of an agency, you can gather more information about them and conduct necessary background checks.

If an agency lacks important details like a contact number or physical address, that should raise concerns.

If a travel agency only exists in the marketing emails they send you, it’s a red flag and a reason to reconsider.

Written by Nomvelo Masango