The big $$$ question: Is it going to cost more if I use a travel advisor?

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It’s not a simple yes or no answer. I am in this business now because I love facilitating better travel experiences for people. The other reason is because I can make some money doing it. I know that some people hesitate to use a travel advisor because they think it is going to cost them more money, or they can find a better deal online. That is likely not true!

In my training in Baltimore with Virtuoso Travel, we were given the task of discovering why, what, and how we do our job. The “why” was actually pretty easy. This is what I came up with:

Why I am a Professional Travel Advisor: I believe that travel experiences transform lives for the better and ultimately make the world a better place. When we get out of our daily routine and travel, our eyes and minds are more open to appreciating both everyday and extraordinary experiences, from an African safari to a hike in the woods, or from a Mozart opera in Vienna to traditional music in an Irish pub. Travel opens the door to transformative experiences.

There was something missing from my “how’ and “what” statements, and it took a while to figure it out. I think a lot about possibilities and balance, so I want to help everyone, regardless of budget, to realize that there are more possibilities than they imagined. (Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees, or you feel limited by your budget.) I also want to find the balance between the practical budget, the practical itinerary, and what is possible. The possibilities are what you might dream about but don’t believe you can have, or they are what you didn’t even think about. That is why you need a travel advisor with an abundance mindset rather than a scarcity mindset.

Sure, it is easier if a client has a very abundant budget. While I want “high budget” clients, I also enjoy the challenge of making things work within a somewhat limited budget. This parallels my life as a voice teacher. It’s fun to have students who have “natural talent” and can already sing well, but it is a more gratifying use of my skills to uncover a diamond in the rough!


Will it cost more? Probably not! Will you get more for your money and have a better trip? That is my goal! There may be fees sometimes to compensate for my time, but for a simple hotel reservation, there probably will not be a fee, AND you will likely receive added amenities and a higher level of service!

Ready to work on a trip? Let’s talk. Not ready to work on a trip? Let’s talk! I don’t think it’s ever too early to start working on your next trip!