What Is A Travel Advisor
Published Monday, November 21st 2022
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The world of travel planning is confusing. Travel advisors like to brand themselves with unique and interesting titles. You'll see titles such as Travel agent, Travel Advisor, Travel Consultant, Luxury Travel Advisor, and many more.
Is there a difference between them, and what is that difference?
Let's take a peek behind the scenes and help you determine who you should be looking for when planning your next vacation.
A Brief History Of Travel Advisors
From the beginning, the travel industry has relied on one title, Travel Agent. If you watch a TV show from the '70s or '80s you'll see the traditional travel agent. Someone that has a storefront where you went in and sat down with them to plan your vacation.
Not much has changed in that process over time. We still have those one-on-one consultations. We still book our travel through the computer.
ASTA (American Society Of Travel Advisors) rebranded the term travel agent into Travel Advisors in 2018. This reflects the higher level of service a client could expect.
It's easier to think of an advisor as more client-focused. We spend our time consulting our clients on their vacation dreams and then go find the best value option available.
Think of an agent as someone who takes a pre-planned order. When you know the exact destination, hotel and activities you want all you have to do is order off a menu. Even if you're certain about what you want it's always good to consult with a travel advisor to get their recommendations. To see the value they can add and how much more depth they can add to your experience.
What Does A Travel Advisor Do For You?
Let's dig a bit deeper into what other advisors are branding themselves as. Terms like Luxury, Consultant, and Dream Designer are all marketing ploys. They are using terminology to portray an image of how the advisor wants you to see them.
It's marketing and branding and doesn't change what they do. They consult with you the client. They'll get to know your travel style, preference, and expectations. Once the consultation is complete they'll go through a research, design, and planning process. This will allow them to construct your ultimate vacation.
Having a process to show you is key to being a good travel advisor. It sets the expectations of how we work together.
Are You Using A Sales Agent?
One type I haven't mentioned yet is the sales agent. When you search online and find a result such as a named cruise line, or a packaged travel company when you book through them you're using a sales agent.
Travel companies use Sales agents who act in the best interests of the company. They serve a necessary purpose. There is more demand and availability in the travel space than all the travel advisors out there can handle.
The majority of people booking trips work with sales agents. It's worth noting that the deals and value additions they have available to them aren't the same as what a travel advisor can get you. A travel advisor can leverage their industry connections to get you the best available value. They can completely customize your vacation.
To put it in perspective, a busy travel agent handles around two-hundred clients a year. A sales agent makes about forty to fifty calls a day and books, ten to twenty trips.
Who do you think will provide better service?
Do It Yourself Or Done For You?
Knowing who you're booking your next vacation with ensures you get exactly what you're looking for. If it's a quick trip without much planning a sales agent will suit your needs.
If you're looking for a customized and tailored experience then a travel advisor is the route to take.
If you're looking to save time, increase value and have a great experience we recommend reaching out and using a travel advisor to plan your next vacation.
