Planning trips these days can feel like a full-time job: flights to book, an itinerary to perfect, the best restaurants and hotel suites to reserve. Luckily, it literally is a full-time job for many knowledgeable people—and they’ll do all the planning and booking for you.
There are thousands of travel agents and advisors across the world who specialize in virtually every destination and type of trip. And they’re more in demand than ever as people seek authentic, meaningful, and conscientious experiencesin a world of overtourism, air travel hassles, and climate concerns.
But what value can travel agents or advisors add in this interconnected age, when you can text almost any person or company around the world in an instant, and endless startups are replacing personal interaction with AI-formulated answers? They can add a lot.
More than just logistics
These days, the phrase “travel advisor” most commonly refers to a travel agent—a generalist based in the country you live in, who can arrange an itinerary almost anywhere via the local providers they know around the globe. But it’s also worth broadening the way you think about a trip planner to include destination experts—the in-country providers themselves—who create and run trips only in that region and who often work with travelers directly. No matter which kind of travel planner you work with, there are benefits to be had—and they’re not limited to booking flights and hotels. They can usher you into a VIP world of exclusive reservations, singular experiences, and special amenities.
Advisors can also unlock such perks as hotel credits for free breakfasts and late checkouts. These benefits can be valued in hundreds of dollars, depending on the accommodations, without travelers having to play the points and rewards game. Other advisors may have access to airline credits and cabin upgrades.
When things go awry
Advisors can come in handy during your travels, too. They’ll have an extensive support network on the ground to prevent the pitfalls that can hex a trip.
Imagine planning a trip back to Kenya from Dubai and then adverse weather conditions cancel your flight back home, and you’re told at the airport that the next flight would be the next day! A travel advisor would use their knowledge and contacts to get you on a flight the following morning and even arrange a shuttle back to your villa for an extra night. No need to tell you how nightmarish that would be!
A travel advisor will also be able to go a step further when a client has a health emergency while touring any destination in the world. Did you know that a travel advisor secures the traveler a comprehensive insurance policy that allows them to receive any kind of health care while abroad? —and then even assists with claims to cover the medical assistance or procedures if involved?
Unexpected perks
Enlisting the right professional can also improve your travels in ways you may not have imagined. Come in with an open mind, and they’ll broaden it further. Advisors can redirect clients to an alternative destination by getting to the ‘why’ and identifying another similarly amazing destination with those attributes and interests. And they can point them to a time of year when it’s great to go but minus all the crowds.
Advisors can also do a lot of the groundwork to ensure trips are sustainable—an increasing request from travelers—by vetting suppliers and partners. KATA travel agents and advisors are the go-to if you want a hassle-free experience. They are professional travel advisors bound by a members’ Code of Professional Ethics. Time to check them out at our members listing: our-members
How to find the right advisor
Don’t blindly Google your way to a good advisor. First, consider KATA’s network of over 400 travel agents. Each one must meet stringent criteria regarding professionalism, ethics, and credibility before joining. With KATA’s agents, who have been vetted and certified by the association and regulators, you can travel with confidence knowing they are bound by an ethical code of conduct that demands integrity and professionalism in their dealings with clients.
A good agent is well-connected, well-traveled, and always learning. KATA facilitates ongoing education for its members through partnerships with industry experts: kata partnerships These partnerships provide agents with the latest destination knowledge, travel trends, and specialization opportunities to enhance their service.
Ready to book your next unforgettable travel experience? Visit our members list to connect with a KATA-certified professional travel agents today: our-members
Bryan Obala.
