Let’s face it, we live in a time when anyone can book anything online. And now in the digital age of AI, we don’t even need Google to research an itinerary. In fact, AI agents are starting to act like virtual assistants, able to perform tasks like replying to emails, researching answers to your questions and, yes, even booking airline tickets.
So if this is all true, then why would anyone use a Travel Advisor? Or even more, pay to use a Travel Advisor?
To that, my answer is this: Just because you or AI can book anything and everything online. It doesn’t mean you should.
The Human Connection
Nothing will ever replace the human connection. If you’ve ever tried to communicate with an AI or automated call centre agent, you know that it’s beyond frustrating! Just the miscommunication based in pronunciation differences alone is enough to make you want to throw the phone at the wall! When you can’t get the answers you need, you ask, Why can’t I talk to a Real Person?!
AI will never be able to infer like a human, read body language or vocal inflections like a human, or create that trust-filled bond that two understanding humans create together! Al is a useful tool in the hands of a human but the best travel experiences will always be facilitated by humans. Full stop.
The Fear of Messing Up
You know the adage, You get what you pay for. This is especially true in the travel industry.
If you pay the cheapest rate, you get the most basic room. If you choose ultra-basic economy airplane seats, you will meet every person on that flight as they wait for the lavatory. If you use the free or included transportation to your resort, it will be a loud and very long ride to your destination. And if you use an Advisor who offers FREE planning services you will risk getting an advisor that treats you like a transaction or worse, one that disregards the best options for you, in favour of the options that pay the highest agent commissions. Be very leery of someone who doesn’t charge for their services. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Travel is an investment
Travel is an investment, not only financially but also with our most precious commodity – time. There are only so many vacation days per year, only so much of the budget to spend. Why roll the dice and risk being disappointed?
Using a travel advisor is always a worthwhile investment. Even once you factor in the service fee, you still come out ahead. We have connections that you don’t. We have insider knowledge that you don’t. We have access to offers that you don’t. Not only that, we will be able to plan and execute your dream trip with finesse leaving you with time to spare.
Your security is priority
One thing that AI or google cannot protect you from is fraud. I have heard so many nightmarish stories of people who were booking a trip or flight and ended up unknowingly using a fraudulent site. Not only are you disappointed and missing out, there is often no way to trace that transaction, cancel it or undo what has been done.
When you work with a Travel Advisor, you can sleep well at night knowing that we only book travel through our verified supplier portals. We have dedicated phone lines to call and can easily have human to human conversations to make reservations, accommodate special requests and troubleshoot issues.
So, I ask you. If all this is true, why would anyone NOT use a Travel Advisor? Reach out and book a complementary consultation and experience the difference that an advisor makes.
