What's a Travel Advisor?

If you've made it to this blog post, you've likely seen "Travel Advisor" come across your screen a few times in the recent past. But what does an advisor do and why should you use one?

Agent vs. Advisor

Even though these terms are often used interchangeably, I personally feel "advisor" better describes my approach to planning travel. As I was growing up, I associated a "travel agent" with a person at a call center who helps you find plane tickets and charges a fee to do so. It seemed like a minimal-contact, transactional professional who had a quota to meet. But the travel industry has changed! Travel advisors are more... vacation strategists?? now. They act as a matchmaker between your travel goals and the MANY options available.

The Cost of Using a Travel Advisor

At least once a month, someone asks me "Well how much do you charge?" before we even start a discussion, and rightfully so.

The answer? Every travel advisor and agency operates a little differently, but in my case, travel planning services are provided at no additional cost to you. People, including myself, have become weary of things that seem too good to be true. So the next question is usually "Well then how do you make anything from it?"

When you book a vacation through a travel advisor, the supplier (like the hotel, cruise line, tour company, or vacation package provider) pays the advisor a commission for the booking. This commission comes from the supplier, not as an extra charge added to your trip.

Frequently, the cost of using a travel advisor is calculated in the price, whether you use one or not.

"So then you must have a lot higher prices to pay for that commision?"

Almost never. In RARE cases, travel advisors are unable to book a special price or personalized offer for someone. But most of the time, the price is exactly the same as booking directly, occasionally cheaper or with extra perks!

...Then Why Should I Book with You Instead of Booking Directly?

Another fair question! Here are just a few reasons:

• Knowledge & Expertise: A huge part of being a travel advisor is training and education. I've been known to attend multiple webinars in a day from suppliers or agency professionals. I love learning about new destinations and experiences available to my clients!

• Community Resources: Not only do I have an agency full of seasoned travel professionals to learn from at Take the Vacation, but I'm also privileged to have access to supplier resources and insider tips. I love to research, so you don't have to.

• Personalized Planning: Vacations are not "one size fits all." You'll have someone in your corner comparing the best options for you and tailoring the best itinerary. I've helped families plan their first cruise, couples celebrate anniversaries, and travelers navigate destinations they never thought they'd feel comfortable visiting on their own. Every trip is different, which is part of what makes this work so rewarding.

At the end of the day, working with a travel advisor isn't about having someone click the "Book Now" button for you. It's about having someone who gets to know your travel style and needs, helps you sort through the endless options, and makes the planning process feel a little less overwhelming.