Finding the right advisor is key to ensuring a quality vacation experience. (Source: LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/Adobe)
Consumers’ choices when choosing a travel advisor can make or break their vacation experience. Therefore, it is very important for consumers to choose wisely. We turned to experts – seasoned advisors – for tips on how to make it happen.
ask for recommendations
“A good place to start is to ask friends, family and colleagues for recommendations,” says independent contractor Claire Shader of Elevations Travel. “Find out who they used before.”
“It’s mainly about finding someone who is knowledgeable and someone you feel comfortable with,” she added. “Talking about travel can feel like an intimate conversation, and if you’re not comfortable sharing information, it’s not appropriate.”
Interview with potential customers
“You can tell a lot from the first conversation,” said Richard Tulen, managing director at Churchill & Tulen. “How well do they communicate? They understand your travel history, your health issues and concerns, and whether you prefer historic major sites or modern lifestyle tours.” Are you planning on doing that?”
He said luxury travelers “would do well to ask potential advisors the names of the top two luxury cruise brands and the top two luxury travel companies in the world.”
Ralph Iantosca, owner of Iantosca Travel, suggested travelers “start a conversation and interview an advisor before jumping in.”
He suggested asking questions such as: What is the response time/turnaround time? What are their working hours? Do they have an assistant? Do they carry professional liability insurance? What happens if a traveler changes their trip after booking? Will the agent charge a fee if a cancellation is necessary? Do you have a contract outlining your responsibilities? Can the traveler obtain a copy before signing with the agent?
“Find out what they know about the destination and the ships they want to sail with,” Shader says. “A five-star cruise line is no match for an agency that only sells modern cruises.”
Evaluate your specialty
Sarah Klein, owner of Time for Travel, says, “Most importantly, if you’re looking for a specific niche, like destination weddings or European river cruises, the agent you choose will “It’s about making sure they’re experts in their field.”
“Clients should ask about their experience with the destination and their knowledge of different resorts,” said Kim Goldstein, president of Journeys. “While an advisor may not be able to travel to every destination they book, having a wide range of connections and resources is invaluable. Add value throughout the planning process.”
Travel advisor working with clients. (Photo credit: Svitlana/Adobe)
Additionally, it is also important to consider the ability to customize and personalize travel itineraries to suit the customer’s personal vision. It can be realized.”
perform an internet search
“An easy way to tell if a travel advisor is experienced is to look at their years of experience in the travel industry, Google reviews, and industry awards and ratings,” says Goldstein. .
“Look at their social media. What are they posting?” Ralph Iantosca added that travelers should also peruse an agent’s personal biography. “Look at their own interests and whether they are similar to yours,” he said. “If the traveler has the same interests as the advisor, the personal connection will be better.”
“An easy way to determine if a travel advisor is experienced is to look at how many years they’ve been in the travel industry through Google reviews,” Goldstein says. It will be useful to know their history and evaluation.”
“Many advisors work for large agencies with hundreds of advisors, so while these awards may be at the agency level, they are a sign that the individual has the desired experience and recognition from their travel partners. Please check,” she said.
Find certifications and awards
“Verifying an advisor’s professional qualifications is important, but often overlooked,” Iantosca said, adding that consumers often assume that their advisor is certified by a travel association, such as a Certified Travel Advisor (CTA) or a Destination Specialist (DS). He added that people should check to see if they are certified. “Are they part of the top producer circles like Four Seasons Preferred, Belmond Bellini, Marriott Stars, etc.?”
Klein suggested consumers check to see if their advisor is “ASTA certified or works for an agency in good standing with industry certification.”
Finally, Touren noted that the typical high-end international traveler “spends, on average, more on a family travel planner than on their family doctor.”
“Travel is not real estate,” he said. “These are some of life’s most important moments. If your travel advisor can’t understand you as well as your family, move on.”
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