Decades ago, your vacation likely started with a visit to a travel agent, who relied on a combination of expertise and connections to find the best 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 makes researching and booking on your own even easier. But for some trips, this specialized knowledge can make a big difference.
So when should you hire a professional and how does it all work? Here are some tips.
Why should I consider a travel consultant?
It’s easy for a traveler to research a typical trip, said Chris Anderson, a professor at Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, “so they should look for a specialist for the type of tour they’re looking for, say a bike. trip to Ireland, which can really add value.”
The insider knowledge offered by a travel consultant can add the most value to trips that have multi-city itineraries, include a wide age range of travelers, are very important (such as an anniversary vacation) or are to destinations you’re not familiar with, said Gary R. Johnson, who has been running the travel agency Woodside Travel in Seattle for nearly 30 years. A consultant could help you decide, for example, which way to visit European cities based on local events and transport options.
What can a consultant give me that a booking site can’t?
Travel advisors can help you research the best destinations, accommodations, or activities for your specific group and travel goals, offering specific advice that might be difficult or time-consuming to find on your own. Those who specialize in cruises may know which cabin to choose if you are prone to rough seas, while a safari planner could help you decide which park would be best for bird watching or to see particular animals such as rhinos.
Travel consultants typically have relationships with tour companies, hotels and cruise lines, sometimes through networks. These connections can allow advisors to offer additional benefits such as late checkout, free breakfast, airport pick-up, a welcome basket or credit to spend on a cruise ship.
“A good travel agent will be a better steward of your travel budget than you are,” said Guy Rubin, CEO of Imperial Tourswho organizes trips to China.
When bad weather or other conditions disrupt your itinerary, travel advisors often have direct lines of communication with carriers and can do the work of rebooking and changing plans, saving you time and stress.
Okay, let’s say I need help. How do I find a consultant?
Networks like the American Society of Travel Advisors and Travel leaders have websites that can help you start your search for a travel consultant by answering a few questions about your desired trip. Once you have a handful to choose from, call them to talk about what they can do for you, how they charge, and what level of service you can expect. Special trips can cost thousands of dollars, so it’s worth investing time upfront, Mr. Rubin said.
Be sure to read the travel agent’s reviews and any user-generated social content that mentions them, Dr. Anderson said. “If there’s no external validation, that’s a red flag.”
How do consultants get paid and how much will it cost me?
Consultants receive a commission from suppliers, typically 10 to 15 percent of the price, when they sell cruises, accommodations and tours. They also sometimes charge travelers a planning fee, anywhere from a few hundred dollars, which can be credited to the final bill if the booking goes through, to tens of thousands of dollars a year for a luxury travel planner they can call all the time. Mr. Johnson said he charges a design fee the first time he works with clients. If they return for other trips, the fee is waived.
Consultants may be tempted to sell you something that will earn them a higher commission, Dr. Anderson said. But, he points out, so are the big online services, which promote hotels that pay them higher commissions. Travelers can ask advisors about specific commissions they receive or how they relate to the products they recommend, he said.
Sometimes a local tour company arranges transport, accommodation and experiences for a consultant, who takes a percentage before passing it on to a client. However, a bill that isn’t detailed can make it difficult to trade off—between a more expensive hotel and a special experience, for example. If price transparency is important to you, discuss this with the advisor in advance.
How is artificial intelligence and other technologies affecting travel advisors?
While new technologies allow users to create their own itineraries online based on individual preferences and type questions directly into travel websites, advisors are also taking advantage of these technologies to improve their services. Joan Roca, CEO of the luxury travel planning company Materialist he said his team “uses technology to augment the human touch,” using artificial intelligence to select options from a database of travel deals selected by a human team. If a couple wants to go for a walk after dinner, for example, Essentialist’s app will offer ideas on where to go based on the part of town the travelers are in and the conversations they’ve had with their travel advisor.