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Convert travel enquiries into bookings

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Informed customers are more eager to book

When choosing a perfect holiday destination, customers like to gather as much information as possible. Chatting is a quick and easy way of doing that. Providing information on lodging, prices, pet policy or even the weather may determine if a customer chooses one of your trips.

Most customers are on the site for information and the ability to engage them opens them up to dialogue with our agents, eventually leading to better conversion. LiveChat has increased our sales from 10 to 15 percent!

– Greg Fisher, CEO and co-founder of Tripshock

Send your expenses on a one-way trip

You don’t have to spend fortune to offer good customer service. Thanks to LiveChat, travel agents can respond to several enquiries at the same time without breaking a sweat. Try doing that over a phone call! Send your expenses on a one-way journey by having fewer employees handle more enquiries.

We can reduce phone costs, increase time on site and increase conversions by offering suggestions via LiveChat.

Send your offer in a flash

When your visitors ask about travel fees, you don’t have to write the same response over and over again.

LiveChat allows you to save answers to common questions about your offer and send them with only a few of keystrokes. Your visitors will appreciate the swiftness of your response!

We really enjoy the canned response feature which helps our agents answer some of the more frequent questions more quickly.

– Dustin Burke, IT Coordinator at Cabins of the Smoky Mountains

Best solution for tourism and travel services

Measure your efficiency, integral part of the website, be available 24/7, livechat in the travel industry: tripshock.

TripShock gets a double-digit growth in sales by shifting customer service to LiveChat:

“We have increased interaction with our users by 50 percent since implementing LiveChat. Increased interaction has a direct correlation with sales and we see it in our conversions.”

These travel and tourism companies already use LiveChat

Use livechat to help your customers, start chatting with customers within minutes, free 14-day trial, no credit card required..

Chat service by hellotravel for travelers to chat with travel agents

Worry about how to manage your holiday and stuffs! Well, no need to, Hello Travel is here to help you out in every possible way, because we believe that people should watch more of sunsets than Netflix.

Just visit at hellotravel.com and at the bottom right corner you will see a chat box, post your requirements in that box and we will connect you to different travel agents. After successful query posting, interested travel agents will contact you.

You can speak to them as per your convenience on phone, email, whatsapp or our inbuilt chat application which has recently been launched by hellotravel . This chat application enables to you see agent rating and its profile on hellotravel.com in the chat box itself. Unlike whatsapp, there are inbuilt short messages which helps you send quick messages to agents for your tour. You can also call them anytime by with just a tap on the call button. You can access this chat box feature through both mobile app and desktop and can keep record of previous chats with the travel agents.

Isn’t this superb for travelers to choose the most convenient medium of interacting with travel agents and plan their tour peacefully.

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After the hectic celebrations of a marriage, a couple surely deserves calm, serene and the best honeymoon package that will help them relax and spend some time together before the madness of the life consumes them. There is no need to look for foreign countries for honeymoon trips, as India is jammed with romantic destinations for honeymooners. Whether the couple likes mountains or beaches, backwaters or heritage monuments, India has it all. Here is the list of 20 best honeymoon places in India that newlywed lovey-dovey shouldn’t miss out on. You get to know the best experiences, how to reach, best time to visit, ideal honeymoon duration, best hotels or resorts for honeymoon, famous markets, travel tips and much more. So sit tight and enjoy the journey.  

When we say that you can enjoy below mentioned destinations in economic budget we meant a budget of Rs.5000 to 8000 per person for an average duration of 3nights per trip. Therefore if you budget is around 5 to 8k, then you shall consider one of the following destinations for your next trip.

Living in Delhi NCR has its own advantages, for one, it is close to really amazing places which can be visited over the weekend. An ideal weekend trip would be the one which would not require exhaustive travelling and would be easy on the pocket. Here are some trip ideas for a weekend getaway with family or friends

Check out these worth visiting 20 places under 10K this summer, from their nearest major cities.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are the heaven on earth, crystal clear water, scenic beauty, and pristine beaches make it a perfect holiday destination. From untouched beaches of Neil and Havelock Islands to the bustling town of Port Blair, the Andamans have something to offer to every tourist. One can enjoy water sports or relax by the beachside and those who love trekking can go on treks. Andamans weather is the most important thing to take into consideration before planning for the trip. As, in peak summers it gets too hot and humid, and during monsoons, there can be a really rough sea, which lets all the ferries and movement in the sea go hiatus. Therefore the best time of the year to visit the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is between October and May. From winter to summer the weather in Port Blair remains pleasant for sightseeing, beach activities and water sports.

Traveling overseas can be a daunting and expensive affair. From visa applications to bookings to budgets – the list is endless. But if you are an Indian passport holder, rejoice, as your passport has gotten stronger making it the 70th most powerful passport in the world in 2019. Over 60 countries offer free visa and visa on arrival to Indian passport holders.   So instead of spending time and money to become a visa holder, better choose a destination from the list of visa-free countries below and go on a hassle-free pocket-friendly vacation. Here are all beautiful countries to travel without a visa for Indian passport holders –  To know how to apply for the visa, Click Here: How To Apply Visa Online  How To Apply For New Passport Online 

Visa is mandate to enjoy trip to any country. It is an administrative restriction that is forced by the authorities of other countries on Indian citizens when they desire to visit the particular country. Thus, visa for Indians are made easy by most of the countries of the world in 2016 and Indian citizens have an opportunity to facilitate no visa while travelling to around 52 countries of the world. Indians are permitted to Bhutan and Nepal without any Visa despite of the purpose of trip. Indian Passport is ranked at the 85th position in the world and easily avails the permission of visiting ious countries of world. Thus, here the complete detail is provided on Visa requirements for Indian citizens to ious disputed areas, territories, restricted zones, and partially recognized countries.  

Here is a list of popular & not so popular countries that you can visit from India. Pocket & eye friendly

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Delta Customer Service: How to Get Help

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Table of Contents

How to reach Delta Air Lines customer service

Understand what delta customer service can help with, change your itinerary online, know which flights qualify for cash refunds, the bottom line.

In this era of flight changes and cancellations, airline customer service representatives have their work cut out for them.

If you’re planning to travel with Delta Air Lines and need support, here are key tips for successfully contacting Delta customer service and getting the help you need.

» Learn more: The complete guide to Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

When you need help with your Delta flight, there are several ways to reach out.

Call Delta customer service on the phone

Want to speak with a live Delta agent about a reservation? Call the customer service number for Delta Air Lines at 800-221-1212. For SkyMiles-related questions, call 800-323-2323 and have your SkyMiles number handy.

Gold and Silver Medallion members get priority when calling either Delta customer service phone number. But Delta Platinum and Diamond Medallion members get top priority customer service. These top-tier elites can call the dedicated phone line found in the Contact Us section of the Fly Delta phone app or on the back of your membership card.

Tweet @Delta for help

If repetitive hold music isn’t your jam, then we recommend posting your question on Twitter and tagging Delta with the handle @Delta, or you can send a Twitter direct message to that account. You might reach the airline quicker by tweeting at it instead of calling it.

Chat live on an Apple or Android device

On the go? You can chat live with Delta on an Apple or Android device. Just go to the Need Help? page on delta.com and click on the “Message Us” button. A window will pop up inviting you to chat with a virtual assistant.

This can be helpful for addressing common problems like adding a SkyMiles number to a reservation or making other small changes. And it can be faster than waiting for a phone agent or social media representative.

If you have to cancel your Delta flight or request a refund, a customer service rep can be a lifesaver. Can’t or don’t want to select your seat online? A Delta rep can help with that, too. Plus, you can rely on Delta customer service for any question not easily answered on their website — be it about baggage allowances or SkyMiles redemptions.

If you used SkyMiles to book a flight on a SkyTeam partner airline, you can call Delta to get the record locator for your ticket that will let you select your seat or manage your booking directly through the other airline.

However, calling isn’t the only way to get specific issues resolved.

Most changes and cancellations can be made online (see section below).

To file a baggage claim, use this online form .

To request miles from a trip or a partner activity, log in to your SkyMiles account and fill out a mileage credit request form.

To provide general feedback or to fill out a complaint, go to Feedback & Complaints .

Gone are the days when calling the airline was the only way to make changes to your itinerary. Delta supports most changes and cancellations through its website and app. Here’s how:

Locate the confirmation number in your reservation email and enter it at Delta.com to pull up the booking. Alternatively, you can navigate to the “My Trips” section in your Delta SkyMiles account and click on the trip you’d like to change.

Click on the red “Modify Flight” button in the top right corner.

Then, you’ll be given a choice of whether you would like to change the flight or cancel. Select the “Start Flight Change” option.

This change screen option shows all the flights included in the particular reservation; you’ll need to select the flight or flights you wish to change by checking the box next to the flight.

Click “Find New Flights” to advance to the next page.

At this step, all of your new flight options will appear and you'll select the flight you’d like to change it to and the amount you paid for the existing ticket will be applied to the cost of the new ticket price. You will either have to pay the balance as usual or you’ll receive a refund or an eCredit for the fare difference depending on the type of ticket originally booked.

For questions about Delta Vacations, visit this page . For baggage policies, this page may be of help.

» Learn more: Which Delta Air Lines credit card should you get?

If you want to cancel a nonrefundable ticket after the 24-hour grace period, you won’t get a refund to your original form of payment, but you will get an eCredit you can apply toward a future flight . If your new flight costs more, you’ll have to pay the difference in ticket price.

If you want to change or cancel a flight originating in the U.S. that you booked with SkyMiles, you can do so without fees.

To cancel or change a Delta flight, log in to your SkyMiles account, go to My Trips, select a flight you wish to cancel and click on “Modify Flights” at any point before your flight. In some cases, you’ll have to call (with basic economy tickets, for example). But in most cases, you should be able to change or cancel your flight online or in the Fly Delta app.

» Learn more: Plan your next SkyMiles redemption for your dream trip — Here's how

No matter the question, you should be able to find answers if you search online or call the airline for help.

Thanks to a no-fee change policy, even flight changes and cancellations can be done on the website without having to speak to anyone, and e-credits are issued automatically.

Still, Delta reps are just a phone call or text message away in case of more complicated requests. For less urgent questions, head to Twitter.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Live Chat For Travel Agents & Travel Agencies

Live chat for travel agents.

Nowadays, most people want to book their holidays online — it’s convenient, and customers can take their time shopping for the best travel deals. But with so many different travel agents and booking websites, it’s important to stay ahead of the competition, and one way to differentiate your business, and rise above rival travel agents is to install live chat software on your website.

• Offer customers personalised travel advice based on their budget and destination preferences.
• Instantly answer questions customers might have about travel deals, your booking and payment process.
• Solve any booking issues for customers instantly, reducing travel reservation delays and improving customer satisfaction.
• Reduce checkout abandonment and recapture visitors’ attention before they leave your site.
• Help visitors navigate your website and find the information they need.
• Use pre-chat surveys to gather information about your website visitors. Information about your customers can help you offer personalised support.
• Inform customers about current deals and discounts — using Live Chat to deliver this information can be more convenient and efficient than updating website pages.
• Reach more customers all over the world — unlike with phone calls, Live Chat can be used to talk to anyone, anywhere.

Live Chat Software for Travel Agencies

Before booking a vacation, customers will spend time exploring travel deals and agents to find the best holiday for them. Through live chat software, your customer service team can help website visitors explore travel options and build trust for your brand by establishing a relationship with visitors. With your team on hand to answer questions and provide details instantly, visitors can easily find all the information they need and are more likely to book their holiday through your website as a result.

Travel Industry Live Chat Software

If you want to increase your travel agency’s conversion rates and generate more leads, Live Chat can help you turn website visitors into holidaymakers. Increase customer engagement, and provide website visitors with personalised travel deals that are too good to resist. Communicate with customers through a professionally designed chat widget and help them find the vacation of their dreams.

Through Live Chat, your customer support team can demonstrate an understanding of visitors’ travel desires and point them towards the best travel options. This level of customer care can improve customer satisfaction, and may lead to website visitors becoming loyal customers of your travel agency.

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What people have to say about Live Chat

Thousands of travel agents are using live chat software to communicate with customers, generate leads and secure sales. And with Live Chat only taking a few moments to install, customers see results almost instantly, and straight away Live Chat becomes a form of communication that travel agents wouldn’t be without.

Travel agents can use Live Chat to generate leads, increase travel bookings made online, and offer customers personalised travel information and deals. Generate more leads and increase website conversions by offering customers the information and support they need to purchase holidays with confidence.

Since we have been using Live Chat our conversion rates have nearly doubled. Customer support are extremely helpful and we have been able to scale up easily with more chat agents as our department has increased in size. A+

Lucy Bardock

Head of Sales

Very happy customer. The live chat widget has helped us to convert more users in to customers and provide support for our existing users.

Terry Gaynor

Really easy to integrate with our website. After a few minutes we were live. Customer support are also very helpful. I would highly recommend!!

Travel agent online chat .

In the age of 24/7 shopping, travellers expect support from online travel agents at the click of a button.

Support new website visitors and guide them on the path to purchase with proactive chat.

Provide instant assistance .

Avoid wait time. Enable international, and domestic travelers to get the help they want.

Provide immediate live assistance 24/7 to travelers before they switch over to a competitor. Engage travelers and website visitors in a real-time conversation.

Cut down on customer acquisition costs .

Monitor website visitor activity from the comfort of your home. Offer proactive support to help visitors find the best holiday.

Connect with your visitors at the click of a button. Help customers make the best choices and convert visitors to being loyal customers.

More leads, more conversion .

Get more leads using the lead capture widget. Collect all critical traveler contact information needed for your marketing strategies.

Access all lead information anytime from your ChatSupport account and re-engage leads with custom targeted messages.

Convenience .

Help travelers book their dream destination from the convenience of their living rooms.

Build trust with a face-to-face meeting from anywhere. Send and receive documents for processing visas, booking a trip, and other travel-related items.

Supported service .

We're always on-hand to answer chats from your website visitors and help guide them to the right solution for you.

Set your chats to route to us only when there is an overflow of chat, or have us answer all chats on your behalf.

People love ChatSupport .

ChatSupport is a powerful live chat software solution for the travel industry that can be added to any website/web property to engage and support website visitors.

Absolutely! You can add ChatSupport to any site using one of our ChatSupport plugins or by adding the javascript code directly to your website. You can see further instructions here.

Yes! Live chat is a quick and easy way for travellers to have their questions answered in real time. Travel agents can guide website visitors to their ideal holiday destination and through the booking process, making it a seamless experience.

Travel agents can use several different features to provide a great user experience for customers. This includes custom chat prompts, a live visitor queue, pre and post chat surveys and much more.

ChatSupport is completely free and you can add up to 20 travel agents. Need any help assisting your travellers? Check out our 24/7 supported service here

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Talk to a Travel Agent – Power in Communication

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Customer's thoughts about aurora cruises and travel.

We do our best to deliver the best travel planning experience to our clients. 

"This was the first time I used Aurora Cruises and Travel to plan our cruise. I have to say that this vacation would have been impossible without the help of Nadia Jastrjembskaia. Due to Covid, we had flight changes and issues with tests. She was accommodating to make this cruise happen. Thank you, Nadia!"

Suzana Veglov

"Aurora Cruises and Travel was undoubtedly the best choice for our Germany trip. There was never a time when Nadia Jastrjembskaia was unavailable to us. She went beyond to please everyone, a spoilt family. It was a request to give us a bigger car to fill out to help with covid test appointments."

Keneth Rocky

Video Appointment with a Travel Agent

Planning your next vacation is an exciting step. You want to see that and that, do that and that. Your significant one dream about those and those. Great!

Here is a problem — even two issues: time and money. Time is limited, and the budget cannot accommodate all wishes.

You have to find the balance between your expectations and your limitations.

Simply surfing the Internet does not help. – Many people tried and became more confused than before they started.

There is a solution. – Talk to a professional that you trust. Talk to the travel agent.

Not the travel agent who asks you about points A and C and how many days you wish to stay in point B.

The authentic travel agent is known as a travel advisor. This travel agent will openly discuss your options and budget optimization.

We offer you a new way to work on your upcoming trip or cruise. Your Zoom video appointment allows you to experience trip planning with a travel agent in real-time.

You may see behind-the-screen options to explore when a travel agent shares a screen with you.

Total Peace of Mind

In this uncertain time, flexibility is critical to have a piece of mind.

During your video conference, your travel agent will:

• Explain options that give you more flexibility. – You may cancel your travel arrangements without penalty or with a minimal loss.
• Offer you the different options for travel protection that meet your needs.

Also, here at Aurora Cruises and Travel, we work with reputable suppliers that have verified records.

"Travel is personal, not transactional. That is why you must build a relationship with your travel agent."

Nadia jastrjembskaia, ceo, aurora cruises and travel, we are here to help.

Now is a remarkable opportunity for travelers who are vaccinated.

Media, even your friends, and family say that travel is problematic due to the pandemic. Rental cars are not available, service even at 5-star hotels is shoddy, cruise ships do not allow exploring shore on your own. - The problem is they do not plan their trips right!

With fewer travelers in the touristy areas, travel can be spectacular now. You have to choose the right destination and knowledgeable travel agent.

Share your travel ideas with us.

The more details about your vacation you share with us, the better we can help you. Tell us more about yourself, your travel companions, and your goals and needs for this trip.

Here, some questions we suggest discussing with your travel advisor. – It may be not n at the first video conference but later.

General questions:

• What is the purpose of this trip or cruise vacation? What would make it most memorable?
• Do you have an itinerary in mind? - Where do you want to go, or are you looking for ideas?
• Who will travel with you? - If kids, what are their ages?
• What is your biggest concern about this land trip or cruise vacation? – This is besides avoiding Covid-19?

Some questions are about getting there and around.

• Where do you start your trip or cruise vacation?
• How do you plan to get there? What is your biggest transportation concern?
• If you want to fly: commercial or private?
• Would you please tell us what transportation you prefer and how long a flight or drive you are comfortable with?

Some questions are about staying at the destination.

• Do you have a type of accommodations in mind? For example, a rental family villa, historic inn, state-of-the-art resort, private yacht, small expedition ship, 4-star, 5-star hotel.
• Is there a past hotel experience you liked the most? Do you want to have the similar one?
• Tell us about the places you have stayed in that you liked, and what you would like now.

Tell us more about the time frame

• What is the time frame or estimated departure date?
• What about the estimated trip length (in nights?)

Be open to discussing budget limits:

• total trip budget (excluding airfare) airfare
• accommodation or cruise activities and entertainment.

What is your estimated total trip budget, including accommodations, dining, vehicles, unique experiences, skip-the-lines entry, private access, minimized Covid-related logistics, etc. (excluding airfare)?

Why Zoom Video Call?

Start the vacation conversation virtually. Zoom video calls became a gold standard during the pandemic time.

The possibility of seeing each other face-to-face is not just an anonymous voice at another end of the phone.

For us, here at Aurora Cruises and Travel, every vacation we plan is personal.

We want to build relationships with you, understand your values, learn about your previous experiences, and help to establish expectations for your upcoming vacation.

We want to be able to see you and meet with you virtually. We want to listen to your travel ideas and understand your style of vacationing.

Based on this information, we can create the proper vacation for you. We are here to be your vacation partner and guide.

How to Set up Video Conferencing with a Travel Agent

Video conferencing is easy to set up and simple to use. You need to pick up the date and click on the button to schedule a video appointment.

You will receive a confirmation after this.

Here, at Aurora Cruises and Travel, we offer pre-meeting planning sheets for our clients.

Filling out pre-meeting Cheat Sheets are optional, but more than 50% of clients prefer to be prepared for video conferencing with a travel agent.

We conduct meetings in the expected time frame. We try to answer all questions our clients bring to the discussion.

You will click on the link provided at the scheduled time.

Your travel agent will listen to your ideas and share her experience in the destination or cruise ship. – You will see clearly if your travel agent is a good candidate for your trip or cruise vacation.

A Few Ideas to Make Your Video Conferencing Go Smoothly

• Make sure you are sitting somewhere that's got a strong signal.
• Click on the link at the scheduled time. Settle down with a cup of tea, coffee, or glass of wine!
• Have your ideas ready and start a conversation about your vacation.
• Have a budget range in mind and share it with your travel agent.
• Ask about travel protection that will cover your expenses in case of cancellation.

"Keep in mind that the pandemic has increased prices for Covid-safe hotels, vehicles, private excursions, and other Covid-optimized arrangements."

 frequently asked questions, is zoom video conferencing secure.

There is no 100% secure software in the world. Every time we login into any program, we take a risk.

Zoom video conferencing software is a standard now to conduct professional meetings.

Like all types of software, they experience some issues. All those problems are fixed promptly.

The unique code is sent to you when you sign for the meeting.

We conduct only one-to-one meetings. No one else will receive a code from joining.

Join Zoom meetings through your web browser to make our Zoom meetings more secure. "The web browser version gets security enhancements faster and "sits in a sandbox" to limit security problems," notes antivirus company Kaspersky.

First, click a link to join a meeting. Your browser will open a new tab and prompt you to use or install the Zoom desktop software.

Also, there is a link to "join from your browser." Click this link instead.

Why do you use Zoom for meeting with customers?

There are so many options for video conferencing on the market! Everyone has a favorite one.

We use Zoom because it is integrated with Calendly, scheduling software.

Using Calendly is an industry-standard in travel. It is very convenient to schedule meetings with clients.

Why do you use Zoom meetings instead of phone conference calls?

We strongly believe that travel planning is not transactional. Here, at Aurora Cruises and Travel, we offer travel consulting services based on the collaborative approach.

This means that we are deeply involved in your planning process. We don't take orders from you – we give suggestions and discuss them.

We help you to make an informed decision about your cruise or land trip.

We explain all the pluses and minuses of each travel product we recommend. Your travel agent acts as an authentic travel advisor.

To reach this level of trust, we have to know each other.

Of course, it will be ideal to meet in person. In many situations, it is not realistic.

Zoom meeting with your travel agent helps you understand the agent's level of competence and qualifications.

You can see this person in real life and can confirm or reject the idea to work with this person.

Every travel agent has excellent reviews. The main question is: can you trust this person? Zoom video conference helps you understand if this travel agent is right for your travel project.

Can I call Aurora Cruises and Travel?

Yes, of course! After we establish the relationships, we will communicate in the different ways:

• Phone calls
• Messengers.

You will let us know what way the best for you is to communicate with us.

Is Zoom video conferencing free?

Yes, it is free. Zoom conference itself is free for you.

Plus, we give you 20-minutes to get to know us better. –This initial conference with a travel agent is free.

How much data does zoom video calling use?

We offer 1:1 Zoom meetings with a travel agent. This means one device. But you can invite your kids or significant ones to join the meeting.

In this situation, you expect to spend between 9 MB and 27 MB per minute. So, for 20 minutes call with a travel agent, it will be between 180 MB and 540 MB.

Can video conferencing be done on WhatsApp?

Yes, of course! Your first meeting with a travel agent will be on a regular Zoom meeting.

After this, you can pick up any channel to communicate, including WhatsApp.

What kind of equipment is needed for the video conference with a travel agent?

Here are what you need to a productive Zoom call with your travel agent:

• One of the following: laptop, cell phone, or desktop monitor.
• Built-in microphones and webcams, or USB microphones and webcams.
• Built-in speaker, or external speaker Internet Connection

Do I need to download Zoom to join a meeting?

To join a Zoom meeting, you do not need to install any extra software.

You can participate through a web browser.

How can I join a Zoom meeting with a travel agent via the meeting invite link?

Zoom will create a unique meeting URL ID when you sign for the video call with a travel agent.

This URL and meeting ID will be sent to you by email.

You don't need a Zoom login to join a meeting. All you need is that meeting URL. Click on the link, and you will be transferred to the Zoom meeting with your travel agent.

• Click on the meeting invite URL that your travel agent shared via email or text.
• The zoom app opens in the window.
• Approve the request for permission to use your computer's audio and camera.

Your travel agent will see that you arrived and admit you into the meeting.

If you arrive earlier than your travel agent, you may need to wait for her to come first.

Or you may be placed into a waiting room that the travel agent controls.

When does video conferencing start?

When you sign with the scheduling app, you will pick up a convenient time for you.

Click on the meeting link 5-7 minutes before start time. Prepare a cup of tea or coffee to sip before the video conference with your travel agent starts.

Your travel agent will see that you have arrived and will admit you shortly.

How can I talk to a travel agent?

• Pick up one of the topics above and click on it. You will be transferred to a specific page where you can schedule an appointment.
• Pick up date and time. – You will receive the confirmation email and a link.
• Five-seven minutes before the appointment, click on the link. – You will be transferred to a Zoom virtual meeting room. Your travel agent will admit you, and you can start a conversation.

Does it cost money to talk to a travel agent?

No! Aurora Cruises and Travel gives you are chance to talk to an expert in the field.

Your first virtual Zoom conference is free. – You will have 20 minutes to make sure that a travel agent is the right person for your cruise or land vacation.

After this, you will receive an offer for the travel agent services.

Is a travel agent cheaper than an online one?

Compare travel agent services to online booking engines is as compare apples to oranges.

They are not the same.

Making booking online, you act as your travel agent. You accept responsibilities and consequences for your cruise or trip.

Suppose you missed your connection because of insufficient time between flights or picked up the wrong stateroom on the cruise ship. – Take your responsibility seriously.

When you work with a real travel agent – there are a lot of hobbyists in the industry – you receive a wealth of information. – If you are your travel agent, you must dig for it by analyzing the information you find online.

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Travel Agent Tips: How to Talk Like a Travel Agent

Written by: Michelle on December 23, 2019

Do you know the difference between IATA and CLIA? Or direct versus non-stop flights? The travel industry is full of acronyms and travel terms that are essential for travel agents to understand. Learn to talk like a travel agent, so you can effectively educate clients and communicate with travel suppliers.

To help you get a head start on learning some of the most common words, phrases, and abbreviations that the travel industry uses, we called upon a veteran travel agent, Bill Coyle. In this episode of our  Travel Agent Tips series , we quiz Bill on 13 travel terms that travel agents should know! Watch below to see if he can define them all before the clock runs out.

You answer more of your travel questions by heading over to KHM Travel Group’s YouTube channel and  viewing the full Travel Agent Tips playlist.

We’ll be developing more Travel Agent Tips episodes, so be sure to  subscribe to our channel  to get notified when another video is released. You can even ask your own question for Bill to answer in a comment on one of the videos!

If you have any questions about the travel agent life or working with  KHM Travel Group , please don’t hesitate to reach out. Fill out the form to the right to receive more information or give us a call at 1-888-611-1220 to talk to our team.

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How to Become a Travel Agent Online

Last Updated: October 23, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Greg Guiteras . Greg Guiteras is the CEO of Lorraine Travel, LLC, one of the largest privately-owned travel management companies in Florida founded in 1948. With over 34 years of experience, Greg's specialties are in corporate travel management, sales and marketing, contract negotiations, strategic partnerships, and luxury hotel sales. Greg holds a BS in Marketing from Florida State University. Greg has also created WhataHotel!, a website offering exclusive perks on hotel bookings, and CabinMate, an app that matches single cruise travelers with potential cabin matches "in the same boat" to avoid traveling solo on a cruise. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 25 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 574,319 times.

Being an online travel agent has become a popular stay-at-home job over the years. There are numerous Internet travel agencies that offer training, certifications and the opportunity to start your own travel agency. With so much competition to face online, a smart tactic is to specialize in certain types of travel or destinations so you can market yourself as an expert. Before you start your very own agency, however, it is recommended that you start your career as an independent contractor for an established host agency so you can learn the ins and outs with minimal startup costs and less financial risk.

Things You Should Know

• Figure out what you want to specialize in as a travel agent and what sort of client base you want.
• Get established by creating a budget and learning about the industry before coming up with a business name, and registering your company.
• You could sign up with a host agency instead, doing research to determine which one is best suited to your skills and interests.

Determining Your Specialty in the Travel Market

• Two distinct types of travel agents are “corporate” and “leisure” agents. The former makes arrangements for companies whose personnel who must travel for their work. The latter books personal vacations for individuals. [2] X Research source
• Leisure agents may specialize in terms of themes (such as adventure or romantic getaways), destinations (with a thorough knowledge and plenty of advice for their customers), or clientele (catering to those traveling on a budget or those with unlimited means). [3] X Research source

• If fine wine is on your list of interests, pair it with areas on your list of destinations that include wine countries, such as France, Italy, or California.
• London would be an area to focus on if you have a passion for English literature.
• If you are obsessed with great white sharks, think about Australia, Baja, and South Africa.

• Contact other travel agents for quotes to get a rough idea of the going price for the sort of dream trips you would like to offer your own clients.
• Use this price information to determine what sort of income your clients would need to afford these trips.
• Factor in any age restrictions that may further narrow your potential client list down. A wine-tasting tour, for example, would most likely eliminate families traveling with children, while cage-diving with sharks might appeal more to younger adults than senior citizens.

Laying the Groundwork for Your Business

• Training and certification
• Registering as a business

• GT Trends, Traverse, and YTP Travel Network are prominent professional networks in the industry.
• Trade-specific publications include Agent@Home, Recommend, Travolution, Travel Agent Central, and Travel Trade.

• For example, let’s say that you personally share the same name as Donald Trump. Since a Google search will bury any mention of you online under a million other sites regarding the Don, come up with a business name that does not incorporate your own name in any way.
• Including the core concept of your speciality in your business name can increase its prominence in keyword searches for those terms. For example, “California Wine Tours” is self-explanatory as well as being the exact phrase someone would Google to find more information about that topic. [8] X Research source

• Such registrations as DBA’s are often what is meant by a “travel agent license.” In this sense of the word “license,” you are essentially paying a nominal fee and filling out some paperwork in order to work from a residence, as opposed to taking classes and passing exams in order to earn a driver’s license.

• These steps are not strictly necessary to start your business, but will help keep you organized.

• Use social media like Facebook and Twitter to link your business to your existing contacts. Increase your visibility. Ask them to like your website and share your posts so others in their network see you in their own feeds.
• Ask people you know to refer potential customers to you. Encourage them by offering prizes or thank-you gifts for referrals who end up booking trips with you.

Joining a Host Agency

• Community support
• Lower overhead

• What sort of commission they offer and the method of payment.
• Which software programs you will need and whether they offer a discount if you purchase the tech through them instead of the open market.
• The amount of training that is required and what amount of continued education is offered after that.
• What sort of community support is offered between you, other independent contractors, and the agency itself.
• Exactly how much you will be charged to sign up, as well as any fees that may be required later on.

• Would you rather work for a large company with extensive resources, or a smaller one with DIY spirit and more intimate connections between workers?
• Are you fine working remotely with people you will never meet, or would you rather work for a local business that occasionally gets together?
• Does the training that they offer seem to cover everything you need to learn, or do you feel that you will still be overwhelmed afterward?

• Courses may be designed to be entirely online, by correspondence, or a combination of the two.
• Certification is not a legal requirement to be a travel agent, so if the host agency does not offer their own certification process, you can still apply and possibly be hired. If you wish to work for this specific company and boast about being certified at the same time, you can seek certification through organizations like the Travel Institute.

Community Q&A

Things You’ll Need

• Internet access
• Fax machine
• There are a number of host travel agencies that offer questionable business opportunities. Warning signs include promises about great financial rewards (like 100% commission) with little or no training required. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://hostagencyreviews.com/find-a-travel-niche/
• ↑ https://collegegrad.com/careers/travel-agents
• ↑ http://www.theworkathomewoman.com/travel-agent/
• ↑ http://www.outstandingcolleges.com/become-travel-agent/
• ↑ http://hostagencyreviews.com/starting-a-travel-agency-from-home/
• ↑ https://www.eonetwork.org/octane-magazine/special-features/choosingtherightnameforyouronlinebusiness
• ↑ http://hostagencyreviews.com/7-benefits-of-using-a-host-agency/
• ↑ http://hostagencyreviews.com/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency/

About This Article

To become a travel agent online, start by choosing an area to specialize in since it will make you more competitive, like romantic getaways or corporate traveling. If you're not sure what to specialize in, think about your interests and hobbies or destinations you've been to and use those to help you choose. Once you know what kind of travel agent you want to be, you can register your business and start building a client list. If you don't have a lot of experience, you may want to work as an independent contractor for an online travel agency for a little while to learn the ropes. To learn how to find a job working for an online travel agency, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Using a Travel Agent vs. Booking Online: An Infographic

What would you say if I told you that travel agents aren’t in competition with online travel agency giants like Trip Advisor, Booking.com, Expedia, Priceline, and others? Maybe you’re waiting for a punchline, but I’m honestly not telling a joke.

While starting a home-based travel agency in the shadow of internet giants like Expedia can feel like a David vs. Goliath scenario, I’m here to bring you glad tidings of the ways in which travel agents have an edge over OTAs.

Looking ahead to 2026, OTA market share is projected to dip one point to 21% while travel agencies are predicted to increase their market share 5 points to 26%.

Not only that, but travelers are beginning to recognize the value of an advisor. In 2023, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) reported 50% of travelers were more likely to use a travel advisor than in the past. 1 .

Want more good news? Phocuswright reported that in 2022 travel agencies comprised 21% of US travel market channel share, only one point behind online travel agencies (22%). Looking forward to 2026 however, OTA market share is projected to dip to 21% while travel agencies are predicted to increase their share 5 points to 26%.

So yes. Travelers are using advisors! And yes! Travel agencies compete with OTAs. So suspend your doubt and hear me out. We're going to chat on how travel agents save travelers TONS of time (and money) on their vacations!

No Seriously, Americans Spend So Much Time Online Planning Travel, It’s Ridiculous.  

Expedia Media Group's research documented that American travelers spent an aggregate of 8.7 capital-B-BILLION minutes of travel planning and booking time in 2015. It seems ludicrous, right? I know, I did a double-take. But that is the amount of time Americans spent consuming digital travel content in 2015, according to their white paper, “ The American Traveler’s Path to Purchase .” 2

In the 45 days prior to booking travel—from beginning research to final purchase— the traveling American visited a whopping 140 travel websites . No seriously, that is not a typo.

How much time does this add up to? Well, the report indicated that in the six weeks prior to booking, Americans consumed 22.95 hours of digital travel media .

Is your jaw on the floor yet? Well, it’s about to get even more slack: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage in the U.S. as of Jan. 2021 registered at $29.96/hr 3 , which means that it costs American travelers roughly $687.58 of work time to plan and book vacations.

What does this mean for travelers?

A). A traveler can plan and book their vacation while they’re on company dime (preferably not one they own) and hope they don’t get fired for it. Or, better yet . . .

B.) Go with a travel agent, don’t get fired, and save over $700 of their time.

How OTAs Work, and Why They Don’t Save Travelers Money Anymore

The $700+ savings in work time really just scratches the surface. There are tons of other ways that using a travel agent vs. booking online saves clients money.

1. OTA Access to Inventory Is limited

When you were a kid and asked your parents for a snack, they probably didn’t open the fridge and cupboards and let you have at it (let alone take you to the grocery store to pick whatever you wanted). No, they probably pulled out a few choice items and said, “this is what you can choose from.”

OTAs operate in the same way. OTAs used to rely on ample off-peak inventory, and empty seats on planes and rooms in hotels to offer discounts, and it worked 4 . Vendors would dump their excess inventory on OTA sites for a premium commission to OTAs. Heck, at the end of the day, selling a hotel room for cheap is better than zippo, right? But the OTAs are no longer the land of milk and honey they used to be.

There was a huge rise in the number of OTAs and suppliers smartened up, doing things like having contracts where OTAs were not able to offer prices lower than what the traveler could find directly on the brand site. They stopped offering premium commissions, and some vendors (like Southwest) even refused to sell their inventory on OTAs. (Does this sound familiar? Airlines did the same thing, cut commissions to travel agents in the 90s).

In fact, it’s the vendors that price the products—not the OTAs themselves. So, like the stingy parents, OTAs will not offer the smorgasbord of travel products and discounts they used to. They can’t.

Now let's jump back to the travel agent vs. booking online thing. A travel agent will open all their cupboards and find the best value available. Heck, they’ll even take you to the grocery store and present a full range of available travel options. Travel agents not only have access to products and pricing, but they also have the savvy to know the nitty-gritty of things like which airlines offer more spacious seating or provide better beverage service for the same price.

2. Price Discrimination and “Steering”

According to the same Wired article above, the OTAs' pricing would shift constantly due to supply and demand. This means that customers could potentially be directed to sites that weren’t the best deals, depending on the quantity demanded while the traveler books their trip, trying to create a false sense of urgency for travelers to book with warnings like, “2 rooms left at this price?”

OTAs with their Big-Brother-like technology know when and how a traveler is booking. So if a traveler is attempting to book a hotel on a mobile phone the same evening of their desired reservation date, the OTA’s magic algorithm will smell their desperation and potentially steer the customer to a more expensive booking.

Price discrimination comes into play when they charge different consumers different prices for the same product (which is illegal). According to the Wired article, at one point, “Orbitz was steering Apple OSX users, for example, to more expensive hotels, since the algorithm assumed that an Apple user was more affluent than a PC user.”

Agents don’t, and can’t, do that. There is a level of price stability when purchasing from a travel agent—who can put holds on tickets and packages to preserve the price until the end of the day or for 24 hours.

3. Fine Print

Surprise! There are taxes and fees that might sneak up on the purchaser when they get to the checkout of an OTA. With travel agents, the full cost to clients is transparent at the time they are quoted the price. (Enough said!)

4. Group Bookings

Travel agents can especially save money for clients traveling in groups. According to SmartFlyer’s CEO Mike Holtz in a Travel Market Report's "Here's Why You Should Use a Travel Agent Instead of Booking Online" article , “travel websites will only show the lowest fare available for four tickets. But an advisor might be able to find three seats at a fare hundreds of dollars less, with savings into the thousands of dollars.”

Travel agents, who are not governed by algorithms, have the experience and ability to analyze the options in front of them, filtering through them quickly in order to build group packages that maximize value and save money for their clients. Yet another reason to use a travel agent vs. booking online.

I know, I’m probably preaching to the choir. But what does this mean, and what does this add up to? Well, according to ASTA’s 2016 study, “Best of Both Worlds: Quantifying How Travel Agents Save Consumers Time and Money," a travel agent saves the traveler, on average, $452 per trip. 5

So if you count money and time, that brings up our tally of savings to $1,170+. Dang. Good job, travel agents.

But how do you articulate that to clients? How can you tell them that you’ll save them a ton of time and a nice wad of cash by booking their trip for them? They might look at you like you’re bonkers. But that’s okay, we’re here to help you with talking points with a snazzy infographic explaining the differences between using a travel agent vs. booking online.

How to Talk to Clients About Using a Travel Agent vs. Booking Online

Don’t you get tired when people express alarm at the existence of travel agents? Does it take a little restraint and energy not to roll your eyes when people say they can just book online? I know it does for me.

So we made an infographic that walks you through the data. You can print it out and post it above your office desk to use as talking points when your clients call and ask why they should use a travel agent vs. booking online. Better yet, just send it directly to your client and save yourself a lot of talking. 

Do you want it for a keepsake? You can go ahead and sign in below to download the infographic! You can even print it and use it to wallpaper your office, or better yet, post it on your own travel agency website!

This Is to Mention Nothing of Customer Service and Client Satisfaction

Travel agents save clients money, but the benefits of booking with a travel agent go way beyond. Travel agents also create high-value travel over OTAs because (the living, breathing, talented humans that they are) are able to advocate for clients when things go awry.

Travel Market Report published an article, " What We Did for Love: Tales of Travel Agents Who Went the Extra Mile, " in May 2019. It recounts stories of travel agents like Linda Schreiber, who pulled her bride out of a hurricane-riddled Cancun to the safety of home and rebooked the 70 other guests for the following month. Or Valerie Gossett's warm fuzzy in our Travel Agent Chatter podcast who coordinated with her BDM to have her client's father, a 90-year-old retired colonel, celebrated and honored for his service on his last cruise with his family.

What can an OTA do for a traveler who is unhappy with a hotel room, let alone stuck in the middle of a natural disaster? The answer? Not much, if anything at all.

Travel agents are able to leverage their relationships with vendors in order to provide the best customer service possible to travelers. So not only will the traveler save money, but they can travel with the peace of mind that a travel agent can help them out in a bind if they transfer hotels, switch rooms, or re-book a flight.

In the same ASTA study referenced earlier, it was documented that “ 63% of consumers polled said using an agent makes their overall trip experience better.” So not only will travel agents save travelers time, money and stress during the planning and booking process—they’ll also help create a more satisfying and relaxing travel experience during the trip itself . . . and that, my friend, is the entire purpose of a vacation.

Now Go Tell Your Clients (and Friends, and Travel Agent Naysayers)

Nothing speaks louder than data, right? Go let those skeptics know. If you don’t want to go on a monologue about the value of travel agents, just direct them to the infographic, and save your breath (and sanity).

What are some other ways you help save clients time and money? How do you pitch your value to clients? I want to hear about it in the comment section below!

[This blog was originally published in Oct. 2017. We periodically update this article with new data as it becomes available.]

• Source: ASTA’s 2023 March Consumer Research Headlines ↩
• As of 2022, this study has not been republished with more current numbers. ↩
• Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics ↩
• Source: Wired article, "Why Bargain Travel Sites May No Longer Be Bargains" ↩
• Source: Travel Market Report, "Why Consumers Don't Use Travel Agents" ↩

About the Author

Mary Stein has been working as a writer and editor for Host Agency Reviews since 2016. She loves supporting travel advisors on their entrepreneurial journey and is inspired by their passion, tenacity, and creativity. Mary is also a mom, dog lover, fiction writer, hiker, and a Great British Bake Off superfan.

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I’m a Travel Agent: 5 Flights Where It’s Worth It To Spend Extra Money on Upgrades

S ome flights are quick and easy and, when budgeting , probably not worth the extra cash to upgrade anything. But, there are some flights where spending a little extra money might make a huge difference. If you think your money would be better spent on luxuries during the days in your destination, you might be overlooking just how much impact your flight can have on you. GOBankingRates spoke to Sushant Yadav, a travel agent with Travelosei , to determine when you should consider purchasing an upgrade on your flight. 

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Long Flights

Consider exactly what goes into a long flight, which is usually anything above six hours. You’re sitting without entertainment and usually without room to stretch out for the better part of a day. It’s worth looking into some upgrades on these flights for your own care and, sometimes, sanity, Yadav said. “During these long trips, additional comfort and amenities provided by premium cabins can make a big difference in the overall comfort and well-being of the travelers.”

Yadav recommended opting for upgrades on marathon flights like enhanced meal options, priority boarding, spacious seating arrangements and better entertainment systems. These can help the time pass by faster, while making sure you’re not dreading every minute. Upgrading can be as easy as asking the gate agent before you board if there are any upgrades left. One tip is to check how full the flight is beforehand. If it has a lot of extra seats, you’re more likely to receive an upgrade, since those seats aren’t taken. 

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When You Have a Deadline

If you’re traveling for work or if you just need to get something done during your time in the air, Yadav said it might be worth looking into an internet upgrade or thinking about switching to a higher class. Furthermore, upgrading your ticket can offer you a little more space and quiet in case you need to speak to someone while flying. “For business travelers, premium seats provide extra space and privacy which is ideal for working, having meetings or even relaxing comfortably before arrival at their destination.”

The cost of internet will vary based on airline and the length of the flight. According to Finance Buzz , the price can start around $5 and go up to $20. Although, some airlines will charge for a full day, so if you have multiple flights on one airline in the same day, you can just pay once and have internet for all of your flights that day. 

So, you’ve opted for an overnight flight and you’re banking on being able to get some sleep on the plane. This might be the time to upgrade your ticket to get the utmost comfort. “For travelers taking off on overnight flights, the ability to recline in a sleeping position and sleep comfortably is their primary concern,” Yadav said. “By upgrading to lie-flat seats or premium cabins that come with better bedding arrangements, journeying can be made more restful so that upon arrival at the destination, one will feel refreshed and ready for the day.”

Some airlines will even offer curtains to keep the light out and increase privacy. Others come with “do not disturb” buttons so flight attendants don’t disturb you while you sleep. A first class ticket on Cathay Pacific will get you 500 thread count sheets, which is better than you’ll get at a lot of hotels. Their beds also come with massage functions so you can soothe yourself to sleep. 

If You Anticipate Running Late

Say you know you’ll be cutting it close between a meeting or something that ends right before your flight. Yadav said you can pay for services that will make your check-in a lot quicker. “In addition to providing comfort and convenience, flight upgrades may also have practical advantages such as priority check-in and baggage handling services and expedited security screening.” These can help you bypass long lines and get to the plane faster than you would had you not paid for these services. 

When You Have a Lot of Time To Kill

Conversely, if you anticipate having to be at an airport for a really long layover, Yadav said paying for lounge access could help the time go by. Plus, lounges can offer you food, beverages and sometimes a shower. One of the best lounges in the world, Air France La Première Lounge in Paris, offers five star meals and a full service spa. The Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt has a cigar lounge. You can feel like you’re nowhere near an airport by spending some extra cash.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : I’m a Travel Agent: 5 Flights Where It’s Worth It To Spend Extra Money on Upgrades

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin claims he could work with West - as he gives brief speech for fifth inauguration

Vladimir Putin is officially sworn in as Russian president for a new six-year term, although many Western nations have not attended.

Tuesday 7 May 2024 12:06, UK

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• Putin officially sworn in as Russian president | He claims Russia would work with West
• Ivor Bennett analysis : Translating Putin's inauguration speech - and why it might concern the West
• Many nations boycott ceremony
• Putin has 85% approval rating - here's why
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• Live reporting by Lauren Russell  and Ollie Cooper

The widow of former Putin critic Alexei Navalny has criticised President Vladimir Putin on the day of his fifth inauguration as Russian leader. 

In a video posted on YouTube shortly before the ceremony took place in Moscow, Yulia Navalnaya called Mr Putin a liar, a thief and a murderer. 

She added that the war in Ukraine is "bloody and senseless" and no one wants it apart from the Russian leader.

"Huge sums of money are stolen from all of us every day to fund bombings of peaceful cities, riot police beating people with batons, propagandists spreading lies. And also for [the elite's] own palaces, yachts and private jets," she said.

"And as long as this continues, we can't stop the fight."

Having been exiled from Russia, Ms Navalnaya has vowed to continue the work of her late husband, who died in an Arctic penal colony on 16 February. 

She has accused Mr Putin of having him killed, an accusation which the Kremlin has always denied.

By Ivor Bennett , Moscow correspondent 

The speech was vintage Putin.

Talking up Russia's greatness, blaming the West for Moscow's isolation and doubling down on his current path.

If there was any hope of him mellowing in this next term of office, President Putin dispelled that right at the beginning, referring to the security of the Russian people as a matter "above all". 

Translation - we're in the confrontation with the West for the long haul.

But whose fault is it? 

Not ours, he said. 

All part of the Kremlin's narrative to portray Russia as the victim.

What might concern Western officials is the tone of the speech, especially the last line: "We will realise everything we have planned, together we will win." 

With things going his way at home and on the battlefield, the Russian president appears increasingly confident, and increasingly defiant.

The inauguration of Vladimir Putin has just wrapped up in Moscow. 

The ceremony involved the 71-year-old being sworn in by placing his hand on a version of the Russian constitution.

He then oversaw a parade of the Presidential Regiment on Cathedral Square.

His presidency was later blessed by the Patriarch Kirill of Moscow - the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church. 

Within the last hour, Vladimir Putin has officially been sworn in as Russian president. 

The inauguration was held at the Grand Kremlin Palace, during which Mr Putin placed his hand on the Russian Constitution and vowed to defend it.

As the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Stalin, Mr Putin's new term does not expire until 2030, when he will be constitutionally eligible to run again. 

Watch the moment Mr Putin was sworn in for this third consecutive term in office below.

As Vladimir Putin begins his fifth term as Russian president, our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn shares his thoughts... 

"Having rigged yet another election, subverted the Russian constitution, destroyed the free press and either killed or locked up any opposition, Vladimir Putin today used all the trappings of Russian pomp and ceremony to try and cloak himself in a mantle of false legitimacy," he says. 

"Putin has taken a country that was emerging from communism and economic collapse towards reform and reintegration into the international community, and he's turned it into a pariah state threatening global security while he and his kleptocracy have stolen billions," he says. 

Waghorn then moves to the president's actual address. 

"In his inauguration speech, Putin said Russia stands united," he says.

"An estimated 900,000 Russians have voted with their feet and left the country since his invasion of Ukraine."

Vladimir Putin has met with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. 

Pictured placing a candle at the altar, the Russian leader made the sign of the cross on his chest before listening to the ceremony.

Patriarch Kirill appeared to read a passage from the Bible in what symbolises the church backing the presidency. 

Vladimir Putin now heads outside, facing troops from the Russian army, who salute and congratulate him on his new term.  

He in turn congratulates the troops of the presidential regiment on the 88th anniversary of its formation, before they begin a walk past in full ceremonial dress. 

Infantry and mounted units all salute the president as they go past. 

Mr Putin watches on silently. 

An artillery salute has just marked the end of the official presidential inauguration. 

The Russian leader made a short speech at the Grand Kremlin Palace during which he thanked the citizens of Russia and the troops fighting in Ukraine. 

He left the palace as the Russian national anthem played and a round of applause erupted from the chosen dignitaries in the audience.

Our  Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett   says the content of President Putin's speech was to be expected. 

"He talked about Russia's greatness, about how the West is the aggressor and that everything needs to be on equal footing," Bennett says.

The freshly inaugurated president draws his speech to a close: "I will do everything possible, everything within my abilities to justify your trust.

"We are a single and great nation and together we will overcome all obstacles and implement and realise everything that we dream of.

"Together we will win."

He concludes his speech to rapturous applause, a gun salute and rousing music. 

Taking aim at the West, Vladimir Putin says Moscow is not refusing a dialogue with Western countries.

He says Russia is ready to become an "honest" partner with anybody who is willing. 

"We are not even refusing the dialogue with Western countries," he said during his inauguration speech in Moscow.

"We will see if they continue to halt the development of our country and continue to put pressure on our country, or look for ways to cooperate with us."

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