Trying to plan your dream trip but feeling overwhelmed with all the choices, logistics, and “best things to do” lists? You’re not alone, and that’s where travel advisors come in. If you’ve ever Googled “how to find a travel advisor”, you’ve probably discovered there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, a solo backpacking adventure, or a once-in-a-lifetime family vacation, finding the right travel advisor can make the entire process smoother and far more enjoyable.
As a travel advisor myself, I’ll walk you through the key things to consider. No pressure, no sales pitch – just honest advice to help you find the best fit for your travel style (and yes, if my services happen to align with what you’re looking for, I’d love to chat!).
Side note: There is a difference between travel agents and travel advisors, although the terms are often used interchangeably. Travel agents are order-takers, while travel advisors truly advise and focus on high-level personalization, customization, and support. We do everything a travel agent does, plus serve as your personal travel expert to support and empower you from the beginning to the end of your trip. I highly recommend searching for a travel advisor over a travel agent if you’re looking for full support, attention to detail, and personalization. Read more about what exactly a travel advisor is and does here.
How to Find A Travel Advisor, Step 1: Know what you want help with
Before reaching out to a travel advisor, take a moment to think about what kind of support you’re looking for. Do you want someone to plan your entire itinerary from scratch, or do you just need help booking hotels and tours? Are you looking for destination guidance, help navigating complex logistics, or on-call support while you travel? Knowing what you want help with not only makes it easier to find the right advisor, but it also ensures you get the level of service you’re expecting. Not all travel advisors work the same way, so the clearer you are, the better the match.
How to Find A Travel Advisor, Step 2: Find one who specializes in your type of travel
All travel advisors specialize in different destinations and types of travel. If you want to go to Japan but turn to a travel advisor who doesn’t specialize in it, the process will be less rewarding and fruitful than if you find someone who knows Japan inside and out.
How do travel advisors come to specialize in certain types of travel? Usually, they either extensively travel there themselves and get to know it like the back of their hand, or they’ve completed hours upon hours of training from destination specialists. Even better if it’s both!
Travel advisors specializing in certain areas mean that they book clients there all the time, so not only do they have comprehensive training and potential personal experience, but they also know what has worked (and not worked) in the past for similar clients.
My biggest tip is to find someone who has lived or traveled extensively in the area you want to travel to. I specialize in Asia travel planning because I lived and traveled around the continent for four years, and there’s no training that can compare to first-hand experience. Want to go to Hoi An, Vietnam? Well, I can not only share the best places to stay and things to do, but I can send you the pin of the best little bahn mi stall you’ll ever go to. These are the personal touches of working with an advisor with deep experience in your desired destination.
Travel advisors can also specialize in types of travel, such as solo, multi-generational, corporate, honeymoons, and more. These advisors will have comprehensive experience working on the type of trip you want to take, ensuring a smooth overall experience that fits your style. I specialize in solo travel as someone who loves exploring the world on my own, but knows solo travel can be especially overwhelming. Want to go on your first solo trip but don’t want to handle it all on your own? I’m your girl. Want to go on a multi-generational trip to Italy with your grandparents and children? I’m not your girl, and that’s okay! There are so many great advisors out there that will be your perfect match depending on your desired destination and travel style.
How to Find A Travel Advisor, Step 3: Decide how hands-on you want to be
Do you want a travel advisor who will hold your hand and guide you throughout the entire process, or do you want some freedom and independence to make your own decisions? There are travel advisors who will work with you no matter how hands-on or hands-off you want to be. If you want to be 100% hands-on, then a travel advisor might not be for you (it’s our job to take some of the burden off your plate!).
However, if you want some relief from the stress of planning, but still want to be active in the planning process, there are plenty of travel advisors out there for you. There are also many who will do the entirety of the work if you never want to lift a finger. When you’re vetting a potential travel advisor, feel free to ask them about how hands-on or hands-off they like their clients to be to see if you’re a good fit.
How to Find A Travel Advisor, Step 4: Understand the fees (and why they’re worth it)
When looking for a travel advisor, it’s important to understand that many charge planning fees. In fact, it’s estimated that 75% of travel advisors charge planning fees, and for good reason. These fees cover the hours of research, personalized recommendations, and expert-level coordination that go into designing a trip tailored exactly to your needs. You’re not just paying for someone to book a trip for you – you’re investing in stress-free travel, insider insight, and support before, during, and after your trip. A good travel advisor can help you avoid costly mistakes, save time, and discover experiences you might never find on your own, making the fee more than worth it.
If you decide to work with a travel advisor who doesn’t charge fees, you could still have a good experience. However, it often means they’re relying solely on commission from bookings, which can limit their recommendations to only partners who pay out, rather than what’s truly best for you. Fee-based advisors work directly for you, not the hotel or tour company, which gives them the freedom to be fully unbiased and prioritize your travel goals above all else.
How much are the planning fees that most advisors charge? It completely depends on the advisor and the type of trip you’re looking to plan. A 3-day cruise planning fee will be less than a 2-week custom Italy and Switzerland planning fee. Personally, my clients are often surprised to learn that my planning fee for a fully custom itinerary costs about the same as just one or two nights in a hotel, and more than pays for itself through the time saved, exclusive perks, and personalized expertise I provide.
How to Find A Travel Advisor, Step 5: Make sure they feel like a good personality fit
Finally, make sure your travel advisor feels like the kind of person you want to collaborate with! Do you want someone more casual and friendly, or do you want someone very professional and structured? Do you want to communicate exclusively through email or be able to get on a call whenever you have a question? These are some of the factors you should consider to see if you’re a good personality fit with your advisor.
Most advisors offer consultation calls at the beginning of the travel planning process, and I highly recommend going for that over only communicating over email. Everything after that can be done over email if you want, but the consultation call is your chance to feel out your advisor’s personality and determine if you’re the perfect match. You’ll get a much better sense of their vibe over the phone, plus the chance to ask any questions you’ve thought of based on my other tips.
Finding the right travel advisor is a little like finding the right travel buddy. It makes the entire journey more enjoyable, personalized, and stress-free, but only if you choose the right one. Now that you know how to find a travel advisor who gets your needs and goals, you can stop Googling and start exploring with confidence.
And if you’re someone who values expert insight, custom planning, and having a go-to person in your corner from start to finish, I’d love to chat further on a consultation call so you can decide if I’m the right fit for you and your travel goals.
Ready to start planning your dream trip with an expert by your side?
Just need some tips & inspo for your next trip?
If you’re not ready to dive into planning your trip quite yet, or you’ve decided to tackle it on your own, you’re in luck. I’ve got plenty of firsthand advice and inspiration waiting for you on my travel blog:
Hal Your Travel Pal’s Custom Travel Planning Services are affiliated with Two Sisters Travel.
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