Top 5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Travel Advisor

I’ve traveled and worked in the travel industry all my life, yet it still surprises me when people tell me that they don’t use a travel agency to book their vacations and/or business trips.?Unless you are a travel professional, why wouldn’t you use an expert to save you the time, stress, and hassle – especially when it costs you nothing??

One of the biggest misconceptions about using a travel agency is that it will cost you more – and 99% of the time, it does not (it actually saves you money and adds value to your trip).?There are so many choices out there of destinations, hotels and resorts, cruises, tours, etc., that just narrowing down where you want to go and what you want to do can be overwhelming.?Plus, wouldn’t you want someone who knows all the ins and outs, stays on top of the latest travel updates and trends, has access to great promotions, can give you first-hand advice and answer your questions to take the lead for you??I sure do.?Send me my tickets, tell me where to show up with my packed suitcase, and I’m happy!?

With this being said, like anything else, choosing your travel agency and advisor can also be overwhelming.?If you’ve never used a travel professional before, or if you’ve used one in the past and didn’t feel completely satisfied with your service, I would suggest taking some time to interview and qualify your travel agent before hiring them to go to work planning your next big trip.?

Yep – I said it!?There is value in asking valid questions and actually interviewing your travel advisor before doing business with them.?Think about it – would you normally conduct a large business transaction with someone or a company that you know nothing about??I should hope not.?

So, I decided to share the top five questions that I feel are important to ask when searching for a reputable travel advisor.?The idea is that you do a bit of homework by asking these questions in advance so that you choose wisely and develop a lasting relationship with your travel professional for years to come.?Great travel advisors will get to know you quickly, and before you know it, they’ll be able to recommend exactly the type of trips you like and need to plan, will understand your budget, family dynamic (if applicable), and travel preferences that will make any previous travel anxiety disappear.??

1.??Tell me a bit about yourself and your agency.??

It’s important to know who you are dealing with, and as we all know, most people really enjoy talking about themselves.?One thing is for sure – if someone has a passion for travel and for what they do – you will know it right away!?

A few key prompts to ask up front would be:?How long have you been in business??Who is the agency owner??Do you personally travel to experience the destinations that you sell??How large (or small) is the agency (there are pros and cons to both), and will I always work with the same advisor when I call/email??Are we able to meet in person (if this is important to you)??

The idea is to get them talking about what they feel are the most beneficial reasons you should choose their agency.?All good salespeople have an elevator pitch, so see how willing they are to answer some basic information about themselves and the company they work for (or own).?

2.??Is your travel agency affiliated with any major travel consortia???

There are very few travel agencies these days that aren’t affiliated with some major travel organization that provides them with marketing and sales support, training, and most importantly, the combined buying power that is needed in this industry to afford you the best promotions.?Travel agencies are generally rewarded by travel suppliers based on their volume of business, which is why associating with a larger group of other agencies can be advantageous to you as the client.?Often, larger travel consortia (think “parent companies”) receive exclusive sales and promotions that aren’t available to the general public either online or from other travel agencies.?There are many big names out there that you may (or may not) have heard of that are positive signs of association to look out for such as Virtuoso, Signature Travel Network, Ensemble Travel Group, Travel Leaders Network, Travel Savers, just to name a few of the biggies.??

3.??What are your travel accreditations????

When looking for a travel advisor, it’s not uncommon to ask about their qualifications.?In fact, it’s important to ask about their accreditations.?You want to work with someone who has been educated in the various aspects of the travel industry (and not just a hobbyist or someone who likes to travel).?There are many different organizations that provide education and training for travel professionals, and travel industry accreditations are a common benchmark for experience and agency standards.?Accreditation shows not only the motivation of a travel advisor to become certified as an expert, but it also often leads right into our next question, which deals with having a particular specialty.?

4.??Do you specialize in a particular type of travel???

It’s always good to ask if an agency or advisor has a particular specialty.?Often times travel professionals will specialize in specific types of travel, which tells you that they have usually taken additional training, personally visited, and have deeper connections with suppliers that pertain to that particular travel segment.?I find you typically receive more detailed information, personal advice, and overall enthusiasm from advisors who specialize in the type of travel that you’re looking for.??

5.??Tell me about your specific travel services.??

It’s definitely important to ask about the types of travel services an agency offers.?When an agency says they are full-service, ask them exactly what they mean by that (as I’ve heard different interpretations from different advisors in the past).?To me, full service should mean soup to nuts.?Some things to consider, based on your personal travel needs, would be to ask if they book air, transfers/private cars, rental cars, any/all hotel brands (including all-inclusive resorts), cruises, escorted/guided tours, shore excursions, travel insurance, group travel, etc.?

Do they charge booking fees, and if so, for what types of services??What hours are they available, and do they have 24-hour emergency service available??What is their typical response time in getting back to their clients??All of these are valid talking points that should be covered in your initial conversation with your potential new travel advisor.?

There are many facets to being a travel agent, but superior travel advisors have three things in common:?a passion for travel, outstanding customer service, and both the knowledge and tools needed to make the best travel recommendations to suit your specific needs.?Don’t be shy!?A really great travel advisor wants you to ask them questions, and at the same time you are interviewing them, they will be interviewing you!?Communication is the key to a successful advisor-client relationship.?

By taking the time to ask some questions up front, I’m confident that you’ll find the perfect match in a well-qualified advisor that will not only save you time, hassle, and money, but give you awesome trips to look forward to at the best value possible!??