Decades ago, your vacation would have started with a visit to a travel agency. Travel agents combine their expertise and connections to find the best deals on flights, hotels, tours, and more. [Weston Wei/The New York Times]
Decades ago, your vacation would have started with a visit to a travel agency. Travel agents have combined their expertise and connections to find great deals on flights, hotels, tours, and more. Since then, the internet has turned most of us into our own travel agents, and artificial intelligence software has made research and self-booking even easier. But depending on your trip, that special inside knowledge can make all the difference.
So when should you hire a professional? And how does it work? Here are some tips.
Why should I consider a travel advisor?
Chris Anderson, a professor at Cornell University's School of Hotel Management, says it's easy for travelers to research a typical trip. Who can really add value to your trip to Ireland? ”
The insider information provided by Travel Advisors is most useful when your itinerary is multi-city, includes a wide range of travelers, is a very important trip (such as an anniversary trip), or is traveling to an unfamiliar destination. can add value, says Gary R. Johnson has run Woodside Travel, a Seattle travel agency, for nearly 30 years. The advisor can help you decide in what order to visit European cities, for example, based on local events and transportation options.
What can an advisor provide that a booking site cannot?
Travel advisors can help you research the best destinations, accommodations, and activities for your particular group or travel purpose, and provide specific advice that might be difficult or time-consuming to find on your own. A cruise expert may know which cabin to choose if you're prone to seasickness. Also, your safari planner may be able to help you decide which parks are best for bird watching or seeing certain animals, such as rhinos.
Travel advisors typically have relationships with travel agencies, hotels, and cruise lines through their networks. These connections allow advisors to offer additional perks such as late checkout, complimentary breakfast, airport transfers, welcome baskets, and credits to use on cruise ships.
“A good travel agent will be able to manage your travel budget better than you,” says Guy Rubin, managing director of Imperial Tours, which arranges trips to China.
If your itinerary is interrupted due to bad weather or other conditions, travel advisors often have direct contact with travel companies and can help you rebook or change plans, saving you time and stress.
OK, let's say you need help. How do I find an advisor?
Networks like the American Association of Travel Advisors and Travel Leaders have websites that can help you find a travel advisor by answering a few questions about your desired trip. Once you have made your selection, give them a call to discuss what services they will provide, how they will charge, and the level of service you can expect. Special trips can cost thousands of dollars, so it's worth investing the time up front, Rubin says.
Be sure to read the travel agency's reviews and any user-generated social content that mentions them, says Anderson. “If there's no external validation, that's a red flag.”
How are advisors compensated and how much do they cost?
When selling cruises, accommodations, and tours, advisors receive commissions from suppliers, typically 10% to 15% of the price. We may also charge travelers a planning fee. That amount, which can be included in your final bill if the booking is completed, can amount to up to tens of thousands of dollars a year, and you can call in a luxury concierge travel planner. All year round. Johnson said he charges a planning fee the first time he works with a client. If they return for another trip, he will waive the fee.
Advisors may be tempted to sell something to get higher fees, Anderson said. But he points out that the same is true for large online services, which promote hotels that pay high commissions. He said travelers can ask advisors about the specific commissions they receive and their relationship with the products they recommend.
In some cases, local travel companies package transportation, accommodations, and experiences for advisors, and the advisors mark up a percentage before passing it on to the client. But if your bill isn't itemized, it can be difficult to make trade-offs between a more expensive hotel and a special experience, for example. If pricing transparency is important to you, speak to your advisor in advance.
How is AI and other technologies impacting travel advisors?
While new technology is enabling DIY users to create their own itineraries online based on their personal preferences and entering questions directly into travel websites, advisors are also working to improve their services. We utilize those technologies. João Roca, CEO of luxury travel planning company Essentialist, said his team is “using technology to enhance the human touch” and create a database of travel products selected by a human team. He said he uses artificial intelligence to select options from. For example, if a couple wants to take a walk after dinner, Essentialist's app will give them ideas of where to go based on what part of the city the travelers are in and their conversations with travel advisors.
This article was originally published in The New York Times.
