Travel Advisors: When should you let a professional plan your trip?

Decades ago, your vacation most likely started with a visit to a travel agent, which relied on a combination of expertise and connections to find the best deals on airfare, 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, that special prior knowledge can make a big difference.

So when should you hire a professional, and how does it all work? Here are a few tips.

Why should I consider a travel advisor?

It’s easy for a traveler to do research for a standard trip, says Chris Anderson, professor at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, “so they should look for a specialist for the type of tour they’re looking for, e.g. a cycling trip to Ireland, which can really add value.”

The insider knowledge that a travel advisor provides can add the most value to trips with multi-city itineraries, involving a large group of travelers of different ages, of high importance (such as an anniversary vacation) or going to destinations you are unfamiliar with you, says Gary R. Johnson, who runs the travel agency Woodside Travels in Seattle for almost 30 years. For example, an advisor can help you decide in which order to visit European cities based on local events and transportation options.

What can an advisor give me that a booking site cannot?

Travel advisors can help you research the best destinations, accommodations or activities for your specific group and travel goals, and provide you with specific advice that may 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 seasickness, while a safari planner can help you decide which park is best for bird watching or seeing specific animals such as rhinos.

Travel advisors typically have relationships with travel companies, hotels and cruise lines, sometimes through networks. These connections allow advisors to offer additional benefits such as late check-out, free breakfast, airport transfers, a welcome package or a credit to spend on a cruise ship.

“A good travel agent will be a better manager of your travel budget than you are,” says Guy Rubin, general manager of Imperial tourswho arranges travel in China.

When bad weather or other conditions disrupt your itinerary, travel advisors often have direct lines of communication with providers 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 an advisor?

Networks such as the American Association of Travel Advisors And Tour guides have websites that can help you start your search for a travel advisor by answering a few questions about your desired trip. Once you have a handful to choose from, call them to discuss what they can do for you, how they charge, and the level of service you can expect. Special trips can cost thousands of dollars, so it’s worth investing time in advance, Mr. Rubin said.

Be sure to read the travel agency’s reviews and any user-generated social content that mentions them, said Dr. Anderson. “If there’s no external validation, that’s a red flag.”

How are advisors paid and how much will it cost me?

Advisors receive commissions from suppliers, typically 10 to 15 percent of the price, when selling cruises, accommodations and tours. They also sometimes charge travelers a planning fee, from a few hundred dollars, which can be added to the final bill when the booking is completed, to tens of thousands of dollars per year for a luxury concierge travel planner they can call on. the whole year. Mr. Johnson said he charges a scheduling fee the first time he works with clients. If they return for other trips, he will waive the fee.

Advisors may be tempted to sell you something that will earn them a higher commission, Dr. Anderson said. But, he points out, the same goes for the big online services, which promote hotels and pay them higher commissions. Travelers can ask advisors about the specific commissions they receive or how they are connected to the products they recommend, he said.

Sometimes a local tour company will arrange transport, accommodation and experiences for an advisor, who will take a percentage before passing it on to a client. But a bill that isn’t itemized can make it harder to make a trade-off, for example between a more expensive hotel and a special experience. If price transparency is important to you, discuss this with the advisor in advance.

How will AI and other technologies impact travel advisors?

While new technologies allow do-it-yourselfers to create their own itineraries online based on individual preferences, and to type queries 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 Essentialist said his team is “using technology to amplify the human touch,” using artificial intelligence to choose options from a database of travel deals selected by a human team. For example, if a couple wants to take a walk after dinner, Essentialist’s app provides ideas on where to go based on what part of the city the travelers are in and conversations they’ve had with their travel advisor.