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Travel advisors won accolades last March for shepherding clients home from abroad amidst border closures and changing protocols related to COVID. Since then, they've been hard at work rebooking (and rebooking again) client trips and managing cancellations in an ever-shifting environment.
While they are proven crisis managers, travel advisors (formerly travel agents) truly shine in their day-to-day role of helping clients take the guesswork out of planning spectacular, memorable vacations. In this age of online booking engines, travelers often wonder: when does it make sense to consult with an advisor, and how can they help?
As an independent travel advisor, here are my thoughts on five ways travel advisors help clients improve their vacations:
Your Travel Advisor Will Save You Time and Stress
Enter "rent a villa in Provence" in the Google search bar, and 2.5 million responses will appear. If you spent 15 seconds reviewing each listing, you'd finish in 15 months. And that's just accommodations! It's no wonder the average DIYer spends 60+ hours planning their vacation, usually dealing with uncertainty and internet overwhelm.
As a travel advisor, I partner with a network of carefully vetted suppliers, so I never blindly recommend a hotel, cruise, or tour (or rely on internet reviews). I work with in-country hotel and tour operators who act as boots on the ground, helping me present the best possible options.
I also spend time learning about my clients' interests and travel style, match them with just the right itinerary, and handle all the research and logistics. You can look forward to your vacation with anticipation, not stress.
Your Travel Advisor has Expertise You Need
Researching West End musicals is fun, but researching travel insurance, visas, and cancellation policies? Not so much. Throw in COVID protocols, border restrictions, and Future Travel Credits, and, well, you're probably asleep already.
As travel returns, things will be a bit more complicated, and the details will be enormously important. I help you protect your travel investment while being informed and prepared to travel.
Your Travel Advisor Can Open Doors for You
This is where the magic happens, and where my partner relationships make all the difference. Through them, I can access experiences you can't google or book yourself, tailored to your interests.
You can cook with a Michelin star chef in their home kitchen, cut a record in U2's historic recording studio, or have a special access, private viewing of the Vatican Museums. The possibilities are endless, with the help of my in-country partners.
Your Travel Advisor Helps You Maximize Your Travel Dollars
Perhaps the most significant fear people have about working with a travel advisor involves cost. Will you pay more than if you do it yourself? As an avid Nordstrom Rack shopper, I love a good deal, so I get it.
Your budget is an essential component of the planning process. Together, we'll develop a realistic budget for your trip and remain within those parameters. My role is to help plan the best possible itinerary, spending no more than necessary while maximizing your travel investment.
I have access to packages and pricing unavailable to even the best booking sites through my supplier relationships. I can also offer upgrades and amenities not available to independent travelers on the very same bookings.
Perks might include daily breakfast, room upgrades, early check-in and late check-out, complimentary airport transfers, and restaurant or spa credits. The value of these amenities add up quickly, and complimentary cruise benefits can be even greater.
Your Travel Advisor is There Every Step of the Way
I help prepare you with information and protect your travel investment through the planning and booking process. If circumstances cause your travel plans to change, I will manage rebookings and cancellations on your behalf. If you experience unexpected surprises during travel, like a canceled flight or missed connection, then I am one phone call away.
I want you to enjoy every aspect of your vacation, from the moment we begin planning to the time you return home from your trip, delighted with the experience. In this way, I hope to earn your business for your next trip of a lifetime.
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