It’s the end of an era for travel: American Express will close its 20 company-owned storefront travel-agency locations by the end of this year, according to industry reports.
One of the world’s first travel agencies, American Express opened its first locations 150 years ago. Travel agents in its offices have been selling leisure travel ever since. In a sure sign of the times, however, those agents will now work from home. According to American Express, they’ll remain full-time employees and will be supported by a central office that provides technology, training, marketing and administration.
Travelers who want a retail experience will still be able to get one through the American Express Travel Representative Network, the company’s network of franchisees.
The company has insisted that the move is in response to customer preferences for virtual communications, and not a cost-cutting measure.
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