Do You Actually Need a Travel Advisor? Here’s When We Save You Money + Time.

Many individuals don't typically think, "I need a travel advisor." You handle booking your own flights, browse through hotel choices, read some blogs, and feel confident about your decisions.

Why are an increasing number of travelers — particularly couples, families, and busy professionals — now seeking the help of advisors like myself?

In short: Traveling today has become complex, and a skilled advisor can truly help you save money, reduce planning time, and alleviate stress.

Long answer? Let’s break it down.

Image courtesy of Siari Riviera Nayarit, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

1. When you’re booking a “big” or important trip

A significant anniversary. A maiden voyage to Europe. A family cruise holiday. A honeymoon. Anything you want to perfect.

These trips come with real decisions:

• Which destination actually fits the time you have?

• What’s the best neighborhood to stay in — not just the most Instagrammed?

• Is this the right hotel for your style… or just the one with the prettiest lobby photos?

• What are the hidden transit times, seasonal issues, or cultural quirks no one mentions?

Most people don’t know what they don’t know — until they’re already on the ground.

My job is to remove the guesswork and present options that actually match how you like to travel.

2. When you want the “VIP” experience without paying VIP prices

Most people are unaware of this: booking through a travel advisor often provides you with perks that are otherwise inaccessible. Thanks to my collaborations with Fora and a network of prestigious hotel programs — such as Virtuoso, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Hyatt Privé, Marriott STARS & Luminous, Rosewood Elite, Rocco Forte Knights, Oetker Pearl, Belmond Bellini, and others — you automatically enjoy enhanced treatment at many of the world's leading hotels.

That means things like daily breakfast, hotel credits, room upgrades, early check-in and late checkout, priority waitlists, and better room placement.

And the best part? You pay the same rate you’d see online — just with a better experience layered on top.

3. When you don’t have 20+ hours to plan a trip

The average traveler spends 20–30 hours planning a one-week trip.

Research. Reviews. TikTok videos. YouTube guides. Conflicting blogs. TripAdvisor rabbit holes. It’s endless.

And at the end of all that, you’re still not sure:

• Which itinerary is realistic

• What’s worth booking early

• What’s tourist-trap territory

• What order makes sense

• How long to spend in each city

  
  

You can absolutely DIY travel. But if your time is already limited, letting someone do the heavy lifting makes the entire process easier and a lot less stressful.

Photo courtesy of Soneva Fushi, Maldives.

4. When you want special touches (that make the trip feel elevated)

Advisors excel at handling the “little things”:

• Organizing private drivers who won’t leave you stranded

• Obtaining restaurant reservations that aren’t available online

• Arranging guides who are genuinely local, not generic

• Ensuring your room isn’t located near the elevator

• Including notes for birthdays, honeymoons, and anniversaries

• Providing information on neighborhoods to avoid being stuck in an unfamiliar area

A trip feels different when someone is looking out for you behind the scenes.

5. When things go wrong (and something always goes wrong)

Flight delays. Lost luggage. Weather cancellations. Broken ferries. Overbooked hotels.

When things go wrong, you don’t have to:

• Wait on hold

• Reschedule everything yourself

• Frantically search for solutions online

• Revise your entire schedule

  
  

Just text me, and I’ll take care of it with the hotel, airline, or supplier.

This service alone makes people understand why advisors are essential.

European Christmas market with snow-covered stalls decorated with festive lights, attracting holiday shoppers among the glittering trees.

6. When you simply don’t know where to start

Many clients contact me with questions like:

• “Should we choose Paris or London for a 5-day trip?”

• “We want to visit Greece but are unsure which islands to choose.”

• “We'd like to sail but have no idea about the destination.”

• “We need a warm destination in February. Can you help?”

Travel can be overwhelming. My role is to sift through over 40 options and narrow them down to the 3 that truly fit your needs.

7. When you don’t want a cookie-cutter trip

Pinterest is filled with the same five travel plans:

• “3 Days in Rome”

• “5 Days in Paris”

• “7 Days in Greece”

They’re okay... but they cater to everyone, not specifically you.

Your travel preferences are important:

• Do you enjoy slow travel or packed schedules?

• Are you early risers or prefer late brunches?

• Do you want to prioritize photography?

• Do you favor boutique hotels or luxury properties?

• Are you driven by food, culture, or scenery?

An effective itinerary should feel personalized — not generic.

So… do you need a travel advisor?

Not necessarily.

If you enjoy planning, have flexible schedules, and like comparing hotel layouts late at night… go for it.

However, if you desire:

• VIP treatment

• Time efficiency

• Expert guidance

• Reduced stress

• Superior hotels

• More efficient itineraries

• And support when things don't go as planned

  
  

Then yes — collaborating with an advisor makes a significant impact.

If you're considering your next journey — whether to Paris, London, Greece, Croatia, the Caribbean, or any destination you dream of — I’d be delighted to assist.

Ready to plan something?

You can start here, or just send me a message telling me where you want to go next.