WHY SHOULD YOU USE A TRAVEL ADVISOR?

There are many questions about travel advisors out there today. Is a travel advisor the same as a travel agent? What does a travel advisor do? Do I even need one? It is time to put these questions of the Travel Advisor to rest, and provide the clarity that you need to answer these questions. Let’s explore them, one by one.

IS A TRAVEL ADVISOR THE SAME AS A TRAVEL AGENT?

The answer is – No. Travel agents book flights and hotels. As a luxury travel advisor, I do something very different. Think of me more like a financial advisor for your vacations. I get to know your style, your budget, and your pace. That relationship builds over years, not a single booking. A travel agent gets a call, and books the trip. A luxury travel advisor learns what you like, and what you don’t like, and ensures your trip incorporates it all together. It’s not a one off conversation, but a true experience.

IS EVERY TRAVEL ADVISOR THE SAME?

The answer is – No. Let me ask you this, do you go to any hair stylist or barbershop? What about lawn care, do you have just anyone take care of it? Or perhaps your car…yep, that random oil shop down the street will do just fine. I truly hope the answer here is no you do not, and you have found the right fit just for you. Advisors specialize, just like doctors, attorneys, financial advisors, and so on.

At CARTE ATLAS, I lean into luxury travel with Virtuoso-level access behind me. My specialities include group travel. As the oldest of six, I understand the importance of large group planning. I also specialize in around the world, having completed my circumnavigation in 2023. My other specialties include Ocean, River and Expedition cruising, Safari, and LGBTQ+. Finding the right advisor match matters more than finding any advisor.

IT IS EXPENSIVE TO USE A TRAVEL ADVISOR

Many advisors, myself included, charge a planning fee upfront. We discuss the fee during your complimentary consultation call to understand if we are a great fit for each other. In return, you often gain amenities most travelers cannot access alone. Virtuoso travelers receive hotel/cruise/trip amenities per stay, while also gaining access to a travel advisor with contacts, connections, and the ultimate value, saving you time.

DO I GET TO BE A PART OF THE PLANNING PROCESS?

The answer is – As much as you’d like! Imagine going out to dinner with your partner or maybe a dear friend. One of you opens up the menu, sees one thing and says “I know exactly what I am having”. The other spends time, reading each menu item. “What have they had before? Anything new? Oh that does look good, and it’s hot outside so it sounds refreshing. I wonder if they could add an extra side?”. Same restaurant, very different experience, great time had by all. Now, imagine these people on a trip. That same person who knows what they like and sticks with it, and in the planning process may be less engaged. The other person who wants to see, experience, do, try and enjoy every part of it, that person may want to be more involved.

Plenty of my clients want to build every detail together, while others hand me the vision and let me run with it. I had one client plan out each outfit of her day for her cruise and proudly showed me before she set off. I was so proud of her!

Either way works, and the process stays collaborative throughout. I am not removing you from the fun of planning. I am letting you know, you are invited to be a part of it as much as you wish!

ARE YOU JUST TRYING TO GET A COMMISSION?

The answer is – No. My greatest fear is that you have found someone who “books trip on the side” or “does this as their hustle”. Your trip should never be on the side. It should be the main event. Your trip should not be a do it at home after my day at my “real job”, it should be known the person you work with truly, deeply cares about your experience. That’s why I founded CARTE ATLAS and you can explore more about CARTE ATLAS by clicking here.

A career with an International scope has always been my calling. That’s why it was my Degree at the University of Arkansas for which I won Outstanding Student. That award is given by faculty to the student who showed the greatest qualities of the degree that year, and no one else received it by me. Starting my own company after years of corporate experience was because I saw how hard my peers worked and how their trips always seemed last minute and not well planned. As a Top Forty Under Forty winner within Hampton Roads, I have found that bringing both experience and passion together generates the very best.

At CARTE ATLAS, I treat every client’s budget like it is my own. My goal is always your best possible trip. Your inspiration, your travel desires, your eternal benefit, are my priorities. Your trip is not my side hustle. And I sincerely hope you never, ever, get treated as such.

CAN I DO THIS FASTER ONLINE OR WITH AI?

The answer is – No. Let’s do this right now.

“What is the best hotel in Paris?” Currently I am seeing on google hotels popping up that may not be in budget, and a map. As I scroll down, I see sponsored or paid advertising from various hotels. I then now see travel guides, magazines, and public forums with over 50 comments and posts. Going even further, I see even more google searches that are recommended for me like where celebrities stay or searching three star hotels only. More forums are appearing now with 90+ Comments to read. Social Media now makes an appearance with videos, top trending audio, and photos from various people “influencing” the market. I now see top hotels from an online agency showing me an $80 hotel in Paris (huge red flag first of all), followed by youtube videos I can click on to view. Followed now by even more sponsored or paid advertised hotels, followed by eight other search results I could click on, followed by google reminding me I have ten more pages to review….

Can I just say… WHEW!!

This is hours of time ahead of you. There are various articles here that appear old and outdated just at first glance. These engines often do not know or may be simply assuming your preferences which can be very wrong. This is why the complimentary consultation call is so important. Understanding you first and foremost.

CAN’T I FIND THE SAME BENEFITS MYSELF?

The answer is – No. And the reason is access.

We have relationships which can give me the ability to call the hotel, which you can do absolutely, however my ability includes a select line to a specific person to handle luxury travel. Access is the number one benefit that I have. By going at it yourself, you are one of thousands who are doing that very same thing. Working with a luxury travel advisor, with Virtuoso access, gives you the access to skip the line if you will.

AREN’T ADVISORS OUTDATED AND GOING OUT OF STYLE?

The answer is – No. Virtuoso alone represents more than 22,000 advisors across 50 countries. The internet and AI may have taken the travel agent out of the office on main street, but it opened up doors that have led to vast improvements. It continues to be technology-forward, community minded, and focused on the client. When travel matters this much, having someone in your corner is worth it. I hope you learned more about what we do, and what we can accomplish together!

The Answer to the Questions:

Advisors are indeed different than booking agents as they learn about their client, ensure that their value of access becomes a focal point in planning the trip, and saves the client time and effort that are better put to their already busy lives. Discussion the investment from the planning fee to the budget per day help both parties learn what is possible. One should never be the “side hustle” of anyone, and working with a fully invested career minded advisor is important to ensure a proper voyage.

Additional Resources:

We hope this answered your questions! CARTE ATLAS has plenty more to explore, from our specialties, to subscribing to our weekly newsletter “The Legend”. And if you feel inclined we hope you schedule your complimentary consultation to begin your next voyage.