Travel services include government agencies for travel documents and safety, booking services for transportation and accommodations, roadside assistance, in-vehicle assistance systems, and 511 information services for travelers in the US.
Travel services are a very broad area, covering everything from making your trip legal in another country to getting you a discounted fare on your flight and a vegetarian meal on board, to booking you into a hotel with a hot tub and providing you with guidance. Because travel now takes place so often, whether for business or pleasure, and in so many ways, there are a wide variety of travel services to meet different types of travel needs.
Government agencies
The governments of most countries have an agency that issues travel documents and works to ensure the safety of their citizens traveling abroad. For example, if you are a US citizen traveling to another country, part of your travel preparation may involve obtaining a passport and visa, and the State Department is the provider of those documents. The DOS website is also a good place to check out any safety or health considerations in the region you plan to visit. Also, you can register your visit on their website and have a point of contact in the country you visit so that in the event of any kind of emergency, even just something that means you need to get home quickly, and the Embassy of the States United, wherever you are will try to help you.
Travel booking services of airlines, trains, buses and cruise ships
Companies that are at least in the transport sector will offer you a booking service for their services, but some may offer much more. This includes packages with hotel and car rental, entertainment, sightseeing and other features.
Travel agencies and reservation services at reduced rates
Local and national travel agencies and services like Travelocity, Expedia, and Priceline differ from the above group in that they don’t actually provide the service you’re looking for, but only more or less have a hand in arranging it for you. A travel agent does the work for you, whereas with discount services, you’ll likely have to invest your time researching and comparing until you find what you want.
Road safety services
Companies like the American Auto Association (AAA) have been offering roadside travel services for a long time. Some roadside assistance is limited to that service and will help you with flat tires, lost keys, stranded vehicles, needed gas or coolant, and towing. But with AAA, some of the benefits members enjoy include emergency roadside assistance, trip planning assistance, car rental, and discounted travel services.
Tow trucks for garages and service stations
If you need roadside assistance due to a breakdown and don’t have a roadside assistance plan, you can find towing and repair services at a local repair shop or gas station. These companies usually tow your car to the service point of your choice or bring your car to their place of business for repair. If you live or stay nearby, you might even get a ride home while they fix your car.
In-vehicle assistance
In-vehicle assistance systems, such as OnStar, offer a range of services for the driver’s safety and journey. They provide trip planning, respond to accidents, offer stolen vehicle assistance, can provide turn-by-turn navigation, and can diagnose vehicle problems before they become major problems. These systems are sold with the vehicle.
511 Information services
From the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration website, you can access the page titled “511 America’s Traveler Information Telephone Number”. This page contains a map that clarifies each state’s 511 status, with links to the services that have been implemented.
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