What is the primary role of a travel agent?

The primary role of a travel agent is to assist clients in planning, booking, and organizing travel arrangements. This encompasses a variety of tasks that include understanding clients' travel preferences, recommending suitable destinations, arranging transportation, booking accommodations, and providing guidance on activities or itineraries. A travel agent serves as a valuable resource, helping to streamline the travel process and ensuring that clients have the best experience possible by offering personalized service and industry expertise.

The other options describe roles that are not typically associated with travel agents. For instance, managing hotel operations and staff is primarily the responsibility of hotel management professionals rather than travel agents. Providing legal advice about travel policies falls under the purview of legal professionals or travel policy consultants, not travel agents. Operating airlines and transportation services is the domain of transportation companies and their personnel, rather than a function of individual travel agents. Thus, the correct understanding of a travel agent's role is vital for anyone pursuing a career in the travel industry.