Ready to see the world? A travel advisor will help you do it right

In a world in which the internet and AI are at our fingertips, I’m frequently asked, “Do people still use travel advisors?” You might be surprised to find that more and more people are turning to a travel advisor to help plan their next getaway. Why? Sit back, relax, and read on to see how a travel advisor can help make the trip-planning process a breeze.

1. Expertise – Travel is what we do! We know the top destinations, ever-changing travel regulations, and insider tips and tricks, not to mention we’re a wealth of information.

2. Time-savings – Can you find all the same information online? Yes, and no. You can find a good deal of the same information – it’s true. However, the number of hours you will spend doing research may shock you. And, once you find all that information, how do you know what to trust? Planning a vacation purely based on what you read on the internet is like wiring electricity in a house after teaching yourself online. You can find practically anything you want to know about the topic, but that doesn’t give you the same level of skill, expertise, and experience as a certified electrician. Similarly, the benefits of using an experienced travel advisor will save you time, anxiety, and more often than not, money.

3. Money-savings – Did we mention that using a travel advisor comes at no additional cost to you? Some have fees, but many do not – me included – and in many cases, travel advisors can secure better pricing or additional perks of which you may not be aware. They can also watch pricing and promotions to save you money before, or even after, you are booked. In addition, most vacation packages can be booked with just a small deposit, allowing you to pay over time. Walt Disney World is one example, and it’s such a wonderful, affordable way for families to plan out a future vacation while breaking up the payments.

4. Relationship – The key to using a travel advisor is picking the right one. Like any other profession, not all agents are the same. Find one who will listen to you and will follow up with solid options for your consideration. You should feel empowered to speak up when you don’t love what is presented to you and let the advisor continue to tweak options until you are in love with the itinerary. The longer you work with your advisor, the better they will be at not only matching you with the best destinations but also in anticipating your needs and reaching out to you proactively when they see something they feel might be a good fit. Travel is very personal, and having an advisor who listens and finds the perfect vacation for you is priceless.

A few other factors to consider when using a travel advisor:

5. You have someone to help you navigate changes to your travel plans. This is huge! Anyone who has tried to contact customer service only to sit on hold for hours understands how this service alone can help you keep your sanity when things don’t go as planned.

6. You have someone who has been to the destination personally and can give you the best first-hand knowledge. You can spend the time researching your next vacation (and you still should to some extent), but having an advisor to answer questions, give recommendations, and impart their wisdom is going to save you both in terms of time and peace of mind.

7. Let’s not forget about little things advisors do such as sending reminders for important dates, travel requirements, or components like travel insurance. These are critical to the enjoyment of your vacation, as many things need to happen long before your arrival day.

It all adds up. There really is no downside to using a travel advisor. It’s a win-win. As a client, you can still plan as much of the trip as you’d like. Advisors just give you the appropriate tools and take the heavy lifting off your shoulders.

Want to discuss your next vacation? Please reach out. I’ll do whatever I can to make your vacation the best experience possible. I can’t wait to help you get to your next dream destination. 

This article is sponsored by Dreams to Destinations Travel, LLC. For more information, visit dreamstodestinationstravel.com, email Annette Edwards at annette@dreamstodestinationstravel.com or call her at (315)-617-0008.