Why Use a Travel Advisor?
I often get asked ‘do travel agents still exist?’ And the answer is an astounding yes!
In fact, travel advisors are experiencing a bit of a re-emergence since the pandemic. People are seeing the value of what a travel advisor can really offer and I am here to share a few facts about why you should consider working with a travel advisor.
Have a savvy industry professional in your corner
Travel advisors have a pulse on the industry. They live and breathe it daily, and are constantly learning about the newest destination hotspots or emerging ways to travel. Upcoming strike with an airline? Your advisor will know about it. Plus they dedicate a lot of time to upgrade their skills.
Most travel brands will have extensive travel advisor training available, and there are many conferences and trade shows, on top of speciality training so advisors can become experts on a niche (think destination weddings for one).
Pay the same, or less, than booking online
A common misconception when booking travel is that you’ll pay more by booking through a travel advisor. That is just not true! Hotels, tour operators, and cruse lines all include commission in the prices you see online. So if you book online, the company keeps the cost of what they would have paid a travel advisor. Which means for you, you are paying the exact same when working with an advisor, yet getting customer service and a subject matter expert.
Often you may even pay less since travel advisors have many resources at their fingertips including relationships with suppliers (hotels, tour operators and cruise lines), different booking engines and advisor only promotions. It’s basically a win-win for you and the travel advisor, when you book your trip with an advisor.
Receive added perks or benefits
If you love to be surprised when you check-in to your hotel with a bottle of champagne, or perhaps you love a good airline upgrade, advisors can make this happen for you.
Now this isn’t a guaranteed, but travel advisors have close relationships with supplier reps in their region (supplier meaning hotel, cruise line, tour operator etc). They know these individuals by name, can email them at anytime, and they are another person dedicated to ensuring your travel experience is a 10/10.
So the next time you get ready to start planning a trip, reach out! I’d love to be in your corner and collaborate with you on it.
Yours in travel: Kelsey