In an age of online booking sites a travel advisor may feel like going the way of the dinosaur. But travel advisors are far more useful than simply selling cruises and trips to Disney World. Outstanding travel advisors provide services and have information that you just can’t get online. And sometimes, especially in times of crises, working with a real live person is just plain superior.
The travel advisor may be one of the most misunderstood professionals around. In a world of digital planning tools you may think you can do it alone. But thanks to fast-changing pandemic testing protocols, border restrictions, shifting airline schedules, rental car scarcity, and limited hotel inventory, even the most confident jet setters are turning to the pros for help.
Here are some questions to consider when you are deciding if you should go the DIY route or use a travel advisor.
- Are you traveling outside your country’s borders?
- Will there be any connecting flights?
- Is it important to get perks such as late checkout, restaurant reservations, private access to museums?
- Does anyone in your party have allergies or any other special needs?
- Is anyone unvaccinated?
- Are you going to a location where you don’t speak the language?
- Do you plan to get to a location where internet or phone services are spotty?
- Are you travelling in a large group?
- Do you prefer a cultural travel experience over a resort-focused vacation?
- Is this a last minute trip?
Fortunately you don’t have to stress about these details when you use a travel advisor to plan a future vacation. It goes without saying that a long weekend in Vermont probably does not necessitate a travel advisor but a month-long trip Down Under almost always does. If you need a bit more convincing, read on why you should use the services of a professional trip advisor.
1. Save Time and Avoid Stress with a Travel Advisor
There’s nothing like reading up on a destination you’d like to visit. The same goes for listening to music from that location, cooking recipes inspired by its cuisine, and watching movies to channel the right cultural vibe. That said, DIY travel planning is another matter. It’s hard work, especially when you don’t have access to the knowledge, connections, and special deals available to the best travel companies and advisors.
When you work with a travel advisor, you enjoy the fun part of travel planning while benefiting from customized experiences and activities. Why? Because vacation professionals travel the world, considering every detail of a destination for the sake of their clients: from the size of the rooms on cruise ships and in hotels to dining options both on-site and nearby. In situations where they haven’t had the chance to visit a destination, they cultivate contacts, or belong to large networking groups of advisors around the world, making sure every experience is carefully vetted. This thorough research also means they can answer your questions accurately and rapidly.
2. There’s a Lot They Know That the Internet Won’t tell You
Is there anything worse than arriving at your amazing beachfront resort in France only to realize half the property is under construction? Or to discover that the suite you reserved in London has views of a nearby parking garage instead of the city skyline? A travel advisor knows which rooms are in the best location, when the hotel pool is being re-tiled, and all sorts of details you can’t find online. This ultimately means that they can make the most of your stay or guide you toward a different property. A great travel advisor will also connect you with the best tours, and local attractions. They vet all of their private guides, pre-arrange transfers to avoid frustrating delays, and work closely with a local team to ensure seamless travel from inception to execution.
3. They Have Clout
Travel advisors have access to numbers not available to the public, so that they can make changes on your account quicker than the general public. Many travel advisors develop personal relationships with individuals at many companies and in many countries. They leverage these relationships to get you things you can’t get on your own, such as a “sold out” room or the connecting rooms you want for your extended family trip when the online sites say they aren’t available. They also have exclusive entrée to experiences you might not even know are available.
4. Travel Advisors Offer a Personal Touch
Travel advisors have two primary concerns: their clients’ satisfaction and happiness. They work hard to ensure every trip they offer is chock full of adventurous activities that inspire lifelong positive memories. The right professional listens carefully to what you have to say before offering suggestions and adjustments to meet your ultimate objectives.
In the process, they become friends who remain with you before, during, and after your vacation. And when an unforeseen situation crops up? I think we can all agree that we’d prefer to speak to someone we know and trust instead of relying on search engines, pre-recorded messages, or waiting on hold indefinitely.
5. They’re Great Resources Once You’re Already Traveling
If you’ve ever had a delayed flight, missed a connection, or found yourself stuck in a foreign country longer than expected, you know how stressful travel snafus can be. But having a travel advisor on call can help you navigate those challenges with ease. They have relationships with GMs at many luxury hotels, meaning they can quickly address any problems you might have with your lodgings. And if you booked your flights through a specialist, things like changed itineraries or delays can be quickly handled with their ability to make changes, book new flights, or connect you to VIP lines instead of the hours-long hold for customer service. That’s because your travel advisor will be watching your flights throughout your trips, ready to step in and find a solution before you know there’s a problem. A travel advisor will also be able to alert anyone else who needs to know about your travel changes from the driver meeting you at the airport to the tour guide who wouldn’t otherwise know you’re going to miss your train from Athens to Rome.
6. Travel Advisors Can Save You Time
Instead of searching blindly on the Internet for hours, days, or even weeks (depending on the complexity of the travel plans) you can have an expert do the research for you with your personal needs in mind.
7. They’re Well Connected to Other Experts
Overseas travel plans, particularly exotic, specific, or logistically-heavy destinations, are infinitely easier to navigate with the help of a pro. A travel advisor can speak to a mix of destinations, depending on the vibe you are looking for, and then partner with incredible suppliers who can provide local contacts and expertise. This is particularly true for destinations like India, Africa, or Asia. And using a travel advisor can often be the only way to get connected to these sought-after and highly-experienced pros. Many of the best specialized travel companies only work with travel advisors, meaning the general public wouldn’t have access to their services if they are booking on their own. It is locally based groups that allow a travel advisor to offer the best services and experiences to their clients, provide contacts in the country where they’re traveling, and be even better equipped to solve any problems that might arise in real time. Consider that destination-based partner an extension of your travel advisor. The special contacts a travel advisor builds while traveling allows them to provide a personal touch that cannot be matched by any credit card company or online booking engine.
8. Travel Advisor’s Provide More Value
Travel advisors provide more value for a variety of reasons. Not only do they offer a personalized experience that caters to your needs, but they also provide discerning clients with unique services. After all, the best opportunities belong to those who know the right people. Chances are, your travel advisor will know those people. After all, it’s part of their job. Because so many resorts, cruise ships, and tour operators get the bulk of their business through travel agents, these companies provide advisors with special perks. These perks then get passed on to the advisor’s clients. It’s a win-win for you and the travel professional.
9. Travel Advisors Are on the Cutting Edge
Professionals are always on the cutting edge of what’s new. Travel advisors are the first to know about a new resort, a new cruise ship, or a new tour. They have relationships with the best travel partners who keep them informed as to the latest and greatest offerings. So if you want to travel on the latest and greatest, travel advisors are the way to go. Whether it’s a behind the scenes tour of a wildlife sanctuary in Kenya, cooking classes with local ingredients in Vietnam, swimming with whale sharks in Baja, or participating in an archaeological dig in Greece, travel advisors can put you in touch with what’s new and exciting.
10. Travel Alert
One important consideration in any travel plan is safety. A travel advisor keeps the most up-to-date info on how countries, resorts, cruise lines, and airlines handle health and safety issues. Before you take the advice or word of someone who may have “read something on the Internet,” check in with a travel advisor on the genuine scoop. The health and safety of a client is always the #1 priority with a travel advisor.
11. Vacations Don’t Come with Do-Overs
Overseas vacations often represent once-in-a-lifetime experiences that you save up for and dream about for months, if not years. You devote valuable vacation time from work, which you can’t get back again. In other words, there are no do-overs when it comes to a trip. That alone is enough reason to hire a travel advisor. They’ll handle everything.
A travel advisor will also act on your behalf as an advocate when unexpected events take place. Whether it’s an earthquake, volcanic activity, or simply delayed flights, travel advisors will go the extra mile to keep your vacation from getting derailed. Whether you have issues with getting to your destination, returning home, or something else, it’s nice to know you have a friend you can call to salvage a potential problem.
Now that you know the benefits of using a travel advisor, you should start planning your next adventure. Call me, Antoinette Macaulay, owner and founder of Driftwood Travel, so we can chat about your travel passions. With the assistance of the Largay Travel Team and Virtuoso, I have access to exclusive offers, amenities, and promotions. This allows me to give you a true “champagne and caviar experience” every time.