Why You Should Use a Travel Advisor

One of the main questions that come up when consumers turn to our advisors for help is, “Why should I use a travel advisor?” You build your business by bringing value to your clients. That is why it is crucial that you know your worth. There are many benefits to using a travel advisor, including saving time, unlocking exclusive travel perks, and making the experience completely stress-free. Here is a list of the top reasons consumers should use your travel agency. Read through the article below so you can better communicate your unmatched value with your potential clients.

Don’t Get Scammed

Traveling is one of the areas of the Internet ripe with cybercrime. In fact, a study released earlier this year by McAfee found that one in five Americans have been scammed or nearly scammed when booking summer travel. Of those scammed, 30 percent reported they lost between $1,000 to $3,000. Additionally, one-third of travel scam victims were defrauded after spotting an unbelievable deal. Travel advisors are well-versed enough to ensure their clients’ complete and total safety on all of their bookings.

Advisors even take it a step further by ensuring travel bookings to keep them in the line of protection all vacation long. Let your potential customers understand the importance of booking with you by teaching them about the prevalence of online fraud.

Eliminate Stress

Working with a travel agency provides clients with the ultimate peace of mind. Not only are you available whenever they need you during the trip, but you also take care of everything beforehand. Explain to your prospective clients that you are here for them before, during, and after their journey to make sure everything goes to plan. You will work with them to plan the trip and any accompanying services, including travel to and from the airport, airline services, baggage, and more.

When traveling to a foreign location — especially one where your clients may experience a language barrier — having a travel advisor who is just a phone call away can bring a great sense of comfort to travelers.

Spend Money on What Matters

One of the common myths about travel advisors is that using an advisory service makes travel more costly. Of course, we know this isn’t true! Actually, using a travel advisor gets clients a better price on nearly every booking! Also, it helps clients spend money the right way. Be upfront with how you charge additional fees to improve transparency. However, be sure your clients understand that getting expert knowledge is worth any additional cost you charge. Demonstrate the monetary value of the free perks they’ll be receiving thanks to your host travel agency membership.

Imagine using a financial advisor without paying them. It doesn’t make sense. A travel advisor does mostly the same thing while also saving money on travel expenses — and for a much lower price than many consumers realize.

Save Time

Another benefit of using a travel advisor is saving time on bookings and the other mundane aspects of travel. Travel advisors do all of the work researching a destination, hotels, cruises, tours, and even restaurants. For busy professionals, a luxury travel advisor saves time and eliminates stress for clients looking to simply relax on their next getaway. From searching multiple sites looking for the best deals to offering a perfectly balanced itinerary, travel consultants organize a trip from start to finish, so everything flows without a stitch.

Gain Invaluable Insights

You are an expert in your field. You understand travel and know how to make it more than worthwhile for you and your clients. The best travel advisors spend time perfecting their craft by deepening their relationships with hotels, tour guides, airlines, and other advisors. If you know how to do your job right, you can make your work speak for itself. Take time to get to know your clients and find what works for them. Be sure to note — both on your website and in your one-on-one conversations — your experience, partnerships, and network. Demonstrating your expertise not only helps clients feel more confident entrusting their trip to you, but it also gives them peace of mind that they’ll experience the best a region, location, or event has to offer.

Ensure Everything Goes According to Plan

Another aspect of travel that many travelers don’t often consider is a Plan B. Luckily, working with a travel advisor they have multiple plans in place in case Plan A, B, or C doesn’t pan out. Plus, it will feel so seamless that your clients won’t even realize it wasn’t your first option. Issues are bound to happen, and you will be your client’s personal helpline to make things better. Not only does this help when they are in a bind, but it gives them the assurance they need even when things are going right.

Missed or delayed flights, overbooked hotels, or complications with a cruise or tour could mean disaster for someone looking to enjoy their luxury vacation. However, your experience with quickly pivoting when mishaps occur means their vacation will be saved and they’ll have you to thank for it.

Exclusive Access

Sure, online booking has changed the game for consumers, but many people don’t realize other deals are exclusively found through travel advisory services. Travel agents have access to lower pricing, exclusive perks, discounts, and benefits that save money and enhance the quality of travel. If your consumers expect the VIP treatment on their next vacation, working with you is the easiest, most convenient way to make it happen.

Be sure to communicate to clients that you have access to an exclusive booking service only available to travel agents. Your access to rates and available rooms not visible to the public gives you a leg up with clients who may think, “I can research and find deals on my own!”

Get Personal

Since travel advisors are not automated services but real people, they can connect with clients and build vendor relationships. Our advisors know their clients on a personal level so that they can continually suggest new and exciting vacation destinations that fit their preferences. Travel advisors also work directly with hotel executive teams (whom they often have a personal relationship with!) to personalize the clients stay. These tactics make the entire experience more unique and, in turn, more successful. Consumers are all about authentic experiences and extras these days. A travel advisor takes your experience even further by handling your show tickets and restaurant reservations as well.

Perks of Working with a Travel Advisor

At the end of the day, your travel advisory services are indispensable. Travel advisors are on top of the travel game and know how to get their clients worthwhile travel deals. Nowadays, it is easy for consumers to think they can do it all on their own. Explain what makes you valuable and how your prospective clients can benefit from working with you. Remember that many clients have never worked with a travel consultant, don’t understand the exclusive access you have to many deals, and may even believe myths about travel agents that simply aren’t true. Educate your clients in a positive, friendly way about all the ways you bring them value. Most importantly, take time to continually update your services so that you can provide your clients with the best services possible.

Learn more about how Andavo Travel can help you gain clients; contact us today.