As a travel advisor, when I start telling someone what I do (“I design bespoke travel experiences and curate custom itineraries for your trip”) I often get one of three answers. “We are just going to book it online!” “I like planning my own trips.” “Who uses a travel agent anyway?” Fair points, right? In today’s day and age, when you can book almost anything online (flights, groceries, laundry services, a date!), why should you use a travel advisor?
In this series, I explore that question. Why should you use a travel advisor to book a hotel room? Or a flight? Or a cruise? Utilising my network of Virtuoso suppliers and friends in the industry, and personal experience, I’ll delve into that big WHY. I will look at one aspect of travel and then share with you why booking with me – a Virtuoso travel advisor – is a valuable and beneficial decision.
Why should you book your travel with a travel advisor?
You should use a travel advisor because it saves you both time and money.
How, you ask, does it save me time?
Booking with me saves you time because it releases you from the constant research that goes into finding the right flights, the right hotels, and the right activities. Think back to the last time you researched a trip. Or, for fun, google “activities in Italy.”
How many results did you get? I use Chrome, and I get 167 million results. The first few pages are all various tour companies that purport to get you the Best Deal on tours.
Now. What do you want to DO in Italy? What does your family want to do? Do you have a sullen teenager, or a three year old? How about both? You need to find something that will delight everyone, not just the person who clicked “purchase” on XYZ.
This is where I come in. We’ll discuss your family, their activities, their likes and dislikes. And then – using my incredible, amazing network – I’ll find activities that will fascinate even the most emo of thirteen year olds.
You can save money if you use a travel advisor
Let’s say you found a hotel in Florence, Italy for $249/night. It’s on one of those booking sites, but breakfast isn’t included, nor is the transportation from the airport to the hotel. And, alas, you land quite late at night after an overnight flight from the US to London, a connection in London, and another two hour flight to Florence. You could certainly book a transport company to get you and your family from the airport to the hotel, but there is a good chance that the driver won’t speak your language.
A quick search in my network reveals that there are 11 Virtuoso hotels in Florence, Italy. As an advisor within this exclusive network, my clients not only get the best value for their money, they get amazing upgrades and perks. In Florence, some of the amenities at the various hotels include a complimentary upgrade, guaranteed at arrival (sometimes even at booking), breakfast, food and beverage or spa credits, transportation from the airport, and more.
So that $249/night hotel? I might not be able to beat that price, but for just a little bit more, you are receiving nearly $100/day in extras.
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So why should you use a travel advisor? I break down the reasons in a number of posts. Follow along to learn about the benefits of booking with a travel advisor.
