With the increasing number of scammers and con artists, it is essential to remember that not all travel agencies wish to cater to your needs. Studies have found that the travel industry has been plagued by scammers, and these fraudsters comprise almost 30% of the market.
Don’t let your dreams of visiting the Queen of Hills blind you into trusting any agency in the market. By booking with the best travel agency in Darjeeling, you not only ensure your safety but also confirm a smooth and memorable experience.
8 Tips to Avoid Travel Agency Fraud
Here is a list of 8 essential tips to follow to avoid travel agency fraud.
1. Thorough Background Research
A quick background check is the first thing that should come to your mind before choosing a travel agency. For this, you can make use of Google reviews, but platforms such as TripAdvisor and Glassdoor can offer you more authentic reviews. These reviews are mostly written by customers and allow you to visualize the work done by the agency. You can also analyze the authenticity of the website, physical address, and contact details to make your judgment.
2. Verify Credentials and Registration
Authentic travel agencies typically have IATA accreditation, which complies with the Travel Franchise. Along with this, they tend to have a GST registration number and a license from the state’s tourism department. You can directly ask any Darjeeling tour operator for these credentials to confirm their authenticity. If they hesitate to do so, you should avoid consulting with them any further.
3. Insist on a Written Agreement
If the travel agency keeps making various verbal promises but does not provide any documents, consider it a red flag. Verbal agreements are viable in travel agencies, but they require proof that cannot be collected easily. Make sure you get written or hard copies of documents related to itineraries, hotel bookings, and transportation. This will make you legally prepared even if you get scammed.
4. Use Secure Payment Methods
Travel agency scammers are known to create problems related to payments. To ensure your monetary safety, you can use secure payment methods like UPI, bank transfers, and credit cards. These allow you to present proof of payment with high traceability. Also, keep in mind that if you are connected with the best travel agency in Darjeeling, they do not ask for the full payment upfront.
5. Watch Out for Fake Online Ads
Social media marketing has caused an increase in online scams in recent years. Fake online ads about travel agencies can be found on many websites, showing enticing discount prices and great customer reviews. These fake links can not only impact your electronics but also compromise your data. Make sure to avoid these suspicious links and ads to secure your personal information.
6. Ask for References
A reliable Darjeeling tour operator will try their best to assure you of their authenticity. So you country to ask them for references to connect with their previous clients. They most often provide authentic testimonials to assure you of their safe practices. You can also reach out to various travel forums and people who have used their services to travel to Darjeeling.
7. Beware of High-Pressure Sales Tactics
Take note of the customer service people who connect with you through the agency. Most of the time, the fake ones try to push you into immediately buying a deal, telling you that it is only available for a limited time. This is also seen on most of their websites and is done to pressure the customers. A good agency will give you time to browse through and think and often support informed decision-making.
8. Cross-Check Hotel and Transport Bookings Yourself
Once you are done with the booking, the last step would be to check for the hotel and transport booking. Most travel agencies provide you with the credentials as proof of booking. However, checking them by calling the services once will allow you to save yourself from the possible disappointment.
Conclusion
Travel agency frauds are common when it comes to booking for popular locations like Darjeeling. But by staying alert and being well informed, you can prevent any possible harm that comes your way during travel planning. By choosing a reliable agency, you can not only travel through the tea estates in peace but also be assured of the security of your family. Don't let fake websites and scammers take the fun away from traveling, and keep these 8 tips in mind.
Make sure you connect with the best travel agency in Darjeeling to get the most authentic and culturally immersive experience.
