What Does a Travel Advisor Actually Do? (And Why You Might Need One)

Let's clear something up right away: travel advisors aren't relics from the pre-internet era. In fact, the travel advisor industry has grown significantly in recent years. According to the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), 50% of travelers who used an advisor in 2023 were first-time clients, and 74% of them said they'd book with an advisor again.

So what exactly do we do that makes travelers keep coming back? Let me walk you through it.

We Design Personalized Experiences (Not Cookie-Cutter Packages)

When you work with a travel advisor, you're not getting a generic package pulled from a website. We spend time understanding what makes you tick. Do you want adventure or relaxation? Culture or cuisine? Are you traveling with kids, celebrating an anniversary, or finally taking that solo trip you've been dreaming about?

We take all of that and create an itinerary designed specifically for you. According to a 2024 Virtuoso survey, 83% of luxury travelers said personalization was a key factor in their travel planning decisions. That's exactly what we deliver.

We Provide Insider Expertise You Can't Google

Sure, you can research destinations online. But can you find the family-run restaurant in Tuscany that serves the best pasta you'll ever eat? Or know which Greek island offers the experience you're actually looking for instead of the one that's just trending on Instagram?

We've been to these places. We have relationships with local partners, hoteliers, and tour operators. We know which cruise ships have the best service, which all-inclusive resorts actually live up to their promises, and which "hidden gems" are still truly hidden.

The Travel Leaders Network (of which Savant Voyages is a member) provides access to exclusive perks at over 5,000 hotels worldwide. Room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, resort credits, early check-in, late checkout. These aren't available when you book directly online, and they often more than offset our planning fees.

We Save You Serious Time (And Frustration)

Here's a real number: the average person spends 30+ hours researching and booking a single vacation. That's nearly a full workweek spent scrolling through reviews, comparing prices, and sitting on hold.

We eliminate that. You spend 45 minutes on a consultation call with us, share your vision, and we handle the rest. We do the research, make the calls, coordinate the logistics, and present you with a cohesive plan. Your job? Approve it and start packing.

We Coordinate Everything Seamlessly

Booking a multi-destination trip online means juggling multiple websites, confirmation emails, and hoping everything aligns correctly. Miss one detail and your airport transfer doesn't match your flight time, or your hotel reservation is for the wrong date.

We manage it all in one place. Flights that coordinate with your hotel check-in. Ground transportation that accounts for your arrival time. Dinner reservations that don't conflict with your evening show tickets. Accessibility accommodations communicated clearly to every provider.

Everything works together because we make sure it does.

We Solve Problems in Real Time

Flight delays happen. Tours get canceled. Weather changes plans. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there were over 2.6 million flight delays in 2023 alone.

When you book online, you're on your own to fix it. When you book with us, you text us and we help you through it. We rebook flights, adjust hotel reservations, find alternative excursions, and keep your trip on track while you're actually traveling.

That peace of mind is priceless, especially when you're in a foreign country dealing with language barriers and time zone differences.

We Support You Before, During, and After Your Trip

Our relationship doesn't end when you board the plane. We check in before you leave to make sure you have everything you need. We're available by text or call while you're traveling if anything comes up. We also provide you with contact information for our local, in-destination partners who can assist you. And when you return, we follow up to hear about your experience and start dreaming about where you'll go next.

A 2024 study by Phocuswright found that travelers who used advisors reported 34% higher satisfaction with their trips compared to those who booked independently. That's not a coincidence. It's the result of working with someone who genuinely cares about your experience.

The Bottom Line: Travel Should Be Joyful, Not Stressful

Planning a vacation shouldn't feel like a second job. It should be exciting. And the vacation itself should be relaxing, adventurous, romantic, or whatever you want it to be—not stressful because something went wrong and you're scrambling to fix it.

That's what working with a travel advisor gets you. Expertise, efficiency, advocacy, and support. We handle the complexity so you experience the joy.

Ready to see what stress-free travel planning looks like? Let's talk about where you want to go next.