Unfortunately, it is extremely common for a Travel Advisor to spend hours creating a spectacular itinerary for a client, doing research and labor to bring a valuable service to the client, only for the client to thank the advisor and book the trip themselves using the information the advisor worked so hard on.
That’s why most Travel Advisors today will charge a “research fee” up front – often credited back to the account when a client chooses to book the itinerary. This ensures that their services are paid for fairly and that their work is not wasted should the client decide to take their business elsewhere after receiving the service. We believe it is better to disclose this fee up front, than to inflate our prices in the end and hope you don’t notice. We also believe that the services we provide are world class value and worth every penny.
Today Travel Agents are known as Travel Advisors. This relatively recent change in our title reflects a change in our industry and our work. To put it simply, we no longer are agents of the suppliers, but we work for you, the client – giving advice.
Before the year 2000 or so, a traveler went to a travel agent to book your vacation. These professional agents were affiliated with the major suppliers (Airlines, train companies, cruise lines, hotels, etc.) and were experts on the vacation experiences they create for you. Through their affiliation with the suppliers, the travel agent got paid a commission from each part of your vacation: The airline, train company, hotel company and tour company.
Then came the internet. For the most part, none of these suppliers pay commissions anymore, except for a select few hotels and cruise lines. Along with that, comes discount travel, available only through the massive “online travel agents” like Travelocity and Booking.com. Travel Advisors often can’t compete with prices offered on these platforms. But, the Travel Advisor is still a valuable partner in your vacation plans! We still are experts in our specialized destinations, and make sure to get to know everything about our clients so we can make the best decisions on your behalf. Now, the Travel Advisor works only for you, creating unforgettable completely customized experiences and vacations for each client. With a Travel Advisor, you’re guaranteed a unique and reliable experience, created just for you.