A travel advisor, also known as a travel agent or travel consultant, works one-on-one with clients to plan and book vacations. He or she will arrange for all aspects of a trip, including airfare, rental cars, hotels, and even additional activities that the clients may want to participate in, such as snorkeling in the Caribbean. The travel advisor will act as a liaison between the client and the various travel companies, assisting in the booking of reservations, the resolution of any issues, and, most importantly, the discovery of the best price. For these trip planning services, this person will charge a fee, which is usually a percentage of the trip’s cost rather than a flat fee.
Clients who like a travel advisor may choose to work with that person again and again for each trip they plan. This is why a travel agent must go above and beyond for each client and establish a strong professional relationship. Clients frequently refer their friends to the same travel advisor, especially if the agent offers discounts for referrals or recommendations. There are numerous ways for travel agents to develop positive customer relationships, which is why it is critical that anyone interested in pursuing this career path enjoys working with people.
The travel advisor will often make recommendations based on his or her unique knowledge, in addition to simply booking the trip once the client has decided where he or she wants to go. This could include the best times of year to visit a particular location, the most popular destinations, or areas that are more “off the beaten path” for those looking for a more unique or adventurous vacation. Travel advisors will be aware of sales and deals that the general public may not be aware of, so it is always a good idea to check before making any reservations.
The travel advisor is still available to answer questions after the trip has been planned and reservations have been made, such as visa requirements or currency exchange. He or she will also assist in making any necessary changes to the reservations and may recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover the cost of the vacation in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as illness. If any service issues arise that the travel agent is capable of resolving while on the trip, the travel agent may be contacted.