Are you planning a trip and wondering if you should use a travel advisor or book everything yourself online? You might think that using a travel advisor is outdated or expensive, but there are actually many benefits of working with a professional who can help you plan your dream vacation. And you might be surprised to hear that a travel consultant isn’t necessarily more expensive than booking a DIY vacation and in a lot of cases can actually add more value to your getaway. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider using a travel advisor for your next trip.
Save Time and Hassle
How many times have you started planning a trip only to be overwhelmed by the options? You’re faced with options when deciding where to go, when to go, whether you’ll be staying somewhere nice or end up in a complete dive, what you’ll do when you get there, etc. The options are truly staggering for someone who only plans a couple trips a year, and the time you can spend researching can feel like a drain of any available brain power. Alternatively, a travel advisor plans hundreds of trips a year. With all the time I spend researching and planning vacations for my clients, I am always learning and absorbing information. You don’t have to spend hours researching flights, hotels, tours, activities, and destinations. You just tell me what you want and I’ll do the rest. I can also help you consider the little details, such as how many days to spend in each place, which tours go together, how long you should plan between flights and how many things you can do in a day.
Save Money and Get Perks
Another benefit of using a travel advisor is that they may be able to save you money and get you perks that you might not find online. Travel advisors have access to a variety of tools and resources that the average consumer doesn’t know about, such as special agency rates, group discounts, and exclusive offers. Depending on where you’re going and the supplier we use, I may be able to get you better seats on airplanes, added amenities at hotels or on cruises, room upgrades, event tickets, and plan activities for you.
Get Expert Advice and Local Knowledge
Travel advisors can provide you with expert advice and local knowledge that you might not get from online reviews or guides. As a travel advisor, I have developed industry connections and relationships that can give you access to in-destination specialists, exclusive experiences, and insider tips that you wouldn’t otherwise know about. I can help you choose the best time to visit your destination based on seasonality, weather, and events. I can also help you with travel insurance, what to pack, and how to make the most out of your vacation time.
Have a Personal Advocate and Support
Maybe one of the most underrated values a Travel Advisor provides, but arguably the most important, is your travel advisor can be your personal advocate and support in case something goes wrong on your trip. If you encounter any issues with your flights, hotels, tours, or transfers, you don’t have to deal with them on your own. I’ve had clients’ flights cancelled and delayed and saved them hours of time by working with the supplier to reschedule the trip components. I’ve heard stories of people injured on cruises and not knowing what to do. That’s where we step in. Need help getting back home? Need to cancel tours you won’t be able to participate in? I take that on so you can focus on healing from your injury. I’ve also had clients arrive to their destination only to find out they didn’t get what they thought they were booking. If you booked online, your outcome is left in the hands of the call center representative or the front desk agent. While I’m sure most of them do what they can to make it right, when you book with me, I become your advocate. I have relationships I can leverage through the suppliers and through my host agency to resolve these issues.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many benefits of using a travel advisor for your next trip. You can save time, money, and hassle, get expert advice and local knowledge, have a personal advocate and support, and build a long-term relationship and trust. You will also be supporting a small business and a passionate professional who loves what they do. So, why not give it a try and see for yourself? Schedule time with me to talk about how I can help plan your dream vacation. You won’t regret it!
Happy travels!
Kendie
