February 3, 2018
Why Work with a Travel Advisor
By Annie Chambers
We could go on for days on this topic, but have tried to condense our personal findings with a few from articles out of the New York Times and Forbes. Obviously, we’re a bit biased, but at one point, we didn’t work with a travel advisor either! There are so many misconceptions, including the most common that it’s too expensive to hire an advisor or you’ll be charged more, or you have to go only where they suggest. We’ll debunk those in another blog, this one focuses on a few instances where having a travel advisor would come in handy and answers a few questions about what exactly we do.
Does the internet really provide all the answers you need?
Our clients view us as as a trusted resource whose industry knowledge, global relationships, and personal experience add tremendous value, and make travel planning more enjoyable. We can validate your own research, and offer insightful recommendations to tailor each trip to your preferences, interests, and budget. We create something that can’t be googled- a personal experience.
Will I lose control of my trip if I use a travel advisor?
Not at all! You decide the level of involvement that’s right for you, and this may even vary from trip to trip. If you enjoy research and planning, you’ll have a professional partner. If you prefer having us handle all the details, you can do that, too. Either way, you’ll enjoy quality, customized service. When “stuff happens,” it is reassuring to have someone you can count on to resolve problems. You don’t want to be on your cell phone to rearrange a flight. We offer 24/7 emergency service.
You want to get it right
Some trips are more complicated than others. For example, foreign travel is more complex than traveling to the next state. Or sometimes the stakes are too high to make a mistake when you are planning a big trip to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary or a trip that involves coordinating itineraries with friends or family members. Even on city tours or shore excursions, we may be able to point you to the most knowledgeable and English-proficient guides.
We’ve got the best connections
Travel agencies have consolidated and banded together into large consortia, affording them leverage to negotiate with travel suppliers on behalf of their clients. For example, we are able to secure hotel upgrades, rooms with the most desirable views or extra amenities like complimentary breakfasts and spa credits. As our client, you are not only treated like a V.I.P., but benefit from these no-cost perks.
You don’t have to waste time
Researching and organizing a trip takes time, patience and perseverance. Average wait times for airlines are 15 minutes. Not to mention, the months of research required to sift through hundreds of hotels and flights. Travel advisors are able to contact their partners worldwide to put together itineraries with off-the-beaten path activities, unique hotel offerings and plan out the best flight schedules.
