A travel agency is business related to retail, selling products and services that are related to travel. A travel agency may offer various different package tours to interested customers, all on behalf of car rental agencies, airlines, hotels, sightseeing tours and cruise lines, which are its principal suppliers.
Travel agencies also usually have a department that separately handles the management of travel arrangements for business travelers. Some travel agencies even specialize in such travels, and only handle commercial and business clients.
Another function of travel agencies is as an outlet or sales agent for travel companies in other countries, such that they have satellite offices in other countries other than where they have originated from.
The main business of travel agencies operates under commission-basis, which means that they are compensated by their suppliers -- the airlines, the car rental groups, hotels, railways, tour operators, sightseeing tours, and cruise lines -- for their bookings. The commissions received by travel agencies are usually a set amount of percentage taken off the sale.
Travel agencies can be a big help for families that intend to travel. They are a good source of what the latest and the best family travel deals available at any given season, as they have direct access to hotels and inns, airlines and cruises, and other tourist services. Families that are planning on leaving town for vacation should visit one or more travel agencies to get the best deals, the most complete plans, and reservations for their most ideal lodgings.
Travel agencies can actually find your actual destination for family travelers. Good local travel agents can suggest destinations that may not be what families initially had in mind, or the latest family travel packages that were just recently made available. The best thing for families to do is to explain to their travel agent what their ideal family vacation is like, and the travel agent would most likely be more than happy to pitch a suggestion or two. Just explain if the family trip you're thinking of includes the beach, or hiking, or educational destinations like museums and art houses, and the travel agent will point you towards the right direction at any given time of the year with a great family package deal to boot.
Travel agencies may also come with danger though, so do a background check before acquiring their services. Some travel agencies are bogus and there have been instances of scamming reported many times in the past.