Why You Should Trust a Travel Advisor: Lessons From My Own Adventure
What’s one of the main reasons to use a travel advisor? Some might think it’s to save money—and while we do strive to find value for our clients, the truth is, that’s not our primary goal. Trusted travel advisors are all about THE EXPERIENCE.
Our mission is to ensure you have a seamless experience: from planning your vacation to traveling, and even after you return home. And if something doesn’t go as planned? That’s when we really shine. While I never hope for issues during my clients' travels, I always prepare for them. In fact, I often stress more about my clients’ journeys than my own!
But on a recent trip, I was reminded just how important it is to have trusted partners in the travel industry—partners who are there for us when things don’t go perfectly. Let me tell you about my latest adventure and a big lesson I learned along the way.
My Journey With Brendan Vacations
I recently embarked on an incredible escorted land tour with Brendan Vacations in Ireland. It was truly magical, and if you ever have the chance to experience something like this, I highly recommend it. Ireland is breathtaking, and traveling with Brendan made it even more special.
On this trip, I was doing what many of us tend to do: trying to see and do as much as possible. One of my Dublin cab drivers joked that my go-go-go schedule was "very American." I’m still not sure if that was a compliment or not, but I’ll take it as one! I was just so excited to be there and wanted to make the most of every moment.
But here’s where my enthusiasm—and lack of sleep—caught up with me.
After arriving at Dromoland Castle (yes, I still get giddy just saying that name), I was filming a video of my gorgeous room when I glanced at the safe and my heart sank. I suddenly realized I hadn’t emptied the safe at the previous hotel. My passport, keys, money… everything was still sitting there, hours away!
The Importance of Trusted Partners
In that moment, I went straight into problem-solving mode. I alerted my partner from Brendan Vacations, who was traveling with us, and began researching rental cars and calculating how quickly I could retrieve my belongings.
But here’s where having a trusted partner like Brendan Vacations made all the difference. My contact assured me it would be fine and told me not to panic. And because I trusted their expertise and reputation, I decided to take a deep breath and let them handle it.
What happened next reinforced why I prioritize building relationships with in-destination partners. Brendan’s incredible team worked behind the scenes to resolve the issue. By dinner, they let me know that another guide in their network was heading our way the morning I was set to depart and would bring my belongings with them.
This meant I didn’t have to waste hours driving across the Irish countryside, miss out on the magic of Dromoland Castle (and the amazing falconry experience pictured!), or stress about making my flight home. Instead, I could relax, knowing I was in good hands.
Lessons Learned
This experience taught me two key lessons:
- Don’t ignore the little travel hacks.
One of the simplest tricks to avoid forgetting items in a safe is to put one of your shoes in there. That way, when you’re getting ready to leave, you’ll go looking for the missing shoe and remember your items. Genius, right? I’ve heard this tip before but didn’t think I needed to apply it. Trust me, I will now—every time! - Relationships matter.
As a travel advisor, I always hope my clients trust me to handle unexpected situations during their trips. This experience reminded me of the importance of having that same trust in my partners. Because I had confidence in Brendan Vacations and their team, I could let go of the stress and enjoy the rest of my journey.
The relationships I’ve built with suppliers like Brendan Vacations are the same ones I rely on for my clients. I wouldn’t send someone on a trip I wouldn’t take myself, and I wouldn’t recommend partners I don’t fully trust.
Why You Need a Travel Advisor
I’m not saying you should go into your vacation expecting something to go wrong. But if it does, having a travel advisor—and their network of trusted partners—can make all the difference. It’s our job to handle the hiccups so you can focus on enjoying your trip.
Every experience I have, whether it’s my own or my clients’, helps me grow as an advisor. I gain confidence in handling the unexpected and ensure my clients are in the best hands possible.
When you’re ready to plan your next epic adventure—whether it’s a luxury cruise, an all-inclusive resort, or a guided land tour—I’m here for you every step of the way. Let’s work together to make your travel dreams a reality!