Travel Agents Beat Online Website Fares
May 03 2004 - 10:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
Travel Agents Beat Online Website Fares IRVINE, Calif., May 3
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Joystar, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: ARGT)
announced today that according to a study released by Topaz
International of Portland, Oregon, business travel itineraries
booked by a designated travel agency averaged $69 less than the
same itinerary booked on a public Internet site during 2003. Sites
used for comparison included Orbitz, Expedia and Travelocity. The
study also said that the results have been similar for the last
three years. Each year traditional travel agencies were able to
obtain an equal or lower fare 90% of the time; although the price
difference between agents and online sources has narrowed. William
Alverson, CEO of Joystar, Inc. stated "This study is the latest
enforcement of what travel industry insiders have known for a long
time -- nobody has access to better prices than travel agents. And,
with the technology, education, and access Joystar provides our
growing network of travel agents, they can successfully compete
with the other giants." The volume of travel by a company is always
an important factor in securing lower fares. The study looked at
three categories of volume to determine the difference between
agency fares versus Internet fares under these circumstances. For
companies spending up to $20 million, agency fares were: lower 64%
of the time, for companies spending up to $99 million, agency fares
were lower 80% of the time, for companies spending $100 million and
above fares were 95% of the time. "Many corporate clients like the
reassurance of our agents' ability to personally service their
travel needs and to find them the lowest possible rates." About
Joystar, Inc. Joystar provides online and offline travel services
for the leisure and small business traveler. Through the Company's
web site http://www.joystar.com/, millions of web-savvy travelers
can research and book air, car, hotel, vacations and cruises.
Joystar's Travel Rewards Program,
(http://www.joystar.com/travelrewards) is the largest in the
industry in terms of participating suppliers offering the tens of
millions of Web-connected travelers deep discounts, cash rewards,
and the ability to earn free travel. The Company also develops and
markets partner opportunities (see http://www.iamatravelagent.com/)
that empower people from all walks of life to become Home-Based
Travel Agents. Joystar provides its independent agents with all of
the training, tools and back office support allowing them to
operate a successful full-time or part-time business. In addition
to the commissions earned, Joystar's national sales force of
independent agents may earn access to all of the "perks and
benefits" of being a travel professional including "Agent Only"
discounts and courtesy upgrades, stock options, Solo 401K and 529
plans. For further information please contact: William Alverson of
Joystar, Inc., +1-949-837-8101, DATASOURCE: Joystar, Inc. CONTACT:
William Alverson of Joystar, Inc., +1-949-837-8101, Web site:
http://www.joystar.com/travelrewards Web site:
http://www.iamatravelagent.com/ Web site: http://www.joystar.com/
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