The big question: Are travel agents back for good?

The pandemic rekindled the need for travel agents, but are they back for good?

So, your flights have been cancelled and your bookings for accommodation, tours and restaurants for the next few weeks are collapsing like a wobbly house of cards.

Like the theme song from Ghostbusters, "Who You Gonna Call" could well become a catch cry for stranded passengers of late.

The answer for many seeking assistance when things go wrong is a travel agent.

More and more holidaymakers are using travel agents who have contacts and flight schedules at their fingertips, can make swift changes to itineraries and provide prompt professional advice.

CEO of Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) Dean Long says in the past six months more than 5000 travel agents have been reemployed or recruited, reflecting the demand by the travelling public.

"At our peak pre-pandemic, we had about 35,000 travel agents, which fell to 15,000 during the pandemic, which has jumped up to 20,000 and I think 30,000 is achievable. But at the moment there's a shortage of travel agents, which means some agents are not accepting new clients. But the good news is many are coming back into travel," he says.

"We have had a lot of reports that people, who in the past have booked their own holidays, are now seeking the advice and assistance of travel agents so if something does go wrong, there's someone who knows their bookings."

If you are looking for a travel agent, Mr Long says check they are accredited with the AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS) - a national accreditation scheme for Australian travel agents covering both in-store and online services, which is administered by the AFTA and provides checks on quality service.

"Then find someone who understands your travel needs be it family, luxury or corporate," he says.

Mr Long is confident the "renaissance" of travel agents will continue.