Why Hire a Travel Advisor? 20 Experts Tell Us How They Save Time, Reduce Stress, and Elevate Every Journey

Planning a trip should be thrilling, but it often becomes overwhelming—hours of research, endless booking options, and the stress of handling logistics. That’s where a travel advisor steps in. Armed with insider knowledge and elite contacts, they can craft itineraries tailored to your tastes, secure VIP perks, and open doors to unforgettable experiences, like private tours and authentic cultural encounters. More importantly, they manage every detail—and every curveball—so you can simply enjoy the journey.

We asked the members of Travel+Leisure’s A-List, who are some of the best in the business, to reveal why hiring a travel advisor can transforms a ordinary trip into something extraordinary. Here’s what they shared.

Save Precious Time

“People hire specialists for practically every facet of their lives: lawyers, accountants, trainers, wealth advisors, interior designers. Yet, their leisure time—their only non-renewable asset—is often not given this level of attention. Plan your trips with a travel advisor; like everything else in life, you get what you pay for.” — Roman Chiporukha, SpaceVIP

“You hire a travel advisor for the same reasons you hire an interior designer or a financial advisor: we know more about travel, trends, where to find treasures, and how to help you manage your most valuable asset: your time. ” — Shawna Huffman Owen, Huffman Travel

When Stuff Happens

“Crisis management is in our job description. The last thing you want while traveling is to be stuck managing a crisis on your own. When the fires shut down London Heathrow this year, stranding thousands of travelers, we were able to get our clients rerouted through London Gatwick and to their destination as scheduled.” — Amie O’Brien, VLX Travel

“With 24/7 concierge support, every request—whether it’s a last-minute yacht or dinner reservation—is handled effortlessly. And when the unexpected happens, like a cyclone or flight cancellation, an advisor is there to pivot plans, secure new arrangements, and ensure a smooth journey. ” — Suzy Mercien-Ferol, Touring Treasures

“Recently, we helped a family attend a soccer game in Greece with VIP tickets. When the mother accidentally mixed up her dates, our team adjusted her entire itinerary, ensuring everything stayed on track. Behind-the-scenes support like that makes a travel advisor worth it.” — Christos Stergiou, TrueTrips

Deals and Perks

“Thanks to our industry partnerships, our clients often enjoy exclusive perks like room upgrades, complimentary breakfasts, spa credits, and VIP treatment that you won’t find online. And if something doesn’t go as planned? We’re always a call away to make it right.” — Bonnie McDermott, Blue Ribbon Travel

“Clients appreciate having a travel advisor cut through the online noise and build an itinerary that they’ll actually enjoy. But not everyone realizes that a travel advisor can also save you money. We often have our own negotiated rates for experiences, and we’re usually the first to hear about special promotions or discounts.” — Paul Irvine, Dehouche

Hassle-Free

“Multi-generations trip can be difficult to plan, but a travel advisor holds everything together. They’ll handle each step, from ensuring that everyone has passports to planning adventures like helicopter rides or fly fishing. This way, the family can focus on spending time together, rather than the logistics.” — Betsy Donley, Camelback Odyssey Travel

“American travelers tend to have a YOLO attitude (or YOGTO— you only go there once), so they end up packing in too many activities, and not allow for time to truly experience a culture or destination. A travel advisor offers honest insight on logistics.” — Christie Holmes, Mi Familia Internacional

“Our role is to anticipate, adapt, and advocate so that your journey feels seamless. We handle the behind-the-scenes complexity—coordinating logistics, tracking updates, and responding swiftly when things don’t go according to plan, whether it’s a citywide road closure or a weather disruption that calls for a creative reroute.” — Marco Palermo, Authentic Explorations

“We stay two steps ahead, foreseeing potential issues before they arise. It might be recognizing a holiday that could cause delays. It might also mean knowing which restaurants have blown-up on social media.” — Kristin Chambers, D.A.Luxury Travel + TravelLustre

Connect with Cultures

“A travel advisor will be able to introduce you to kind, interesting, hospitable local people who can show you a new way to look at the world. Some might be true experts—archeologists, photographers, artists. Others may simply be interesting locals who have a story to tell. I believe that true luxury is human-focused.” — Ethan Crowley, Asia Desk

“One of the greatest joys of travel is engaging with cultural differences. A good advisor helps clients feel both informed and open-minded. In Uruguay, for example, someone will likely offer you yerba mate with a shared bombilla. While passing around a straw might feel odd, I encourage my travelers to accept the gesture with curiosity. Just don’t stir the bombilla!” — Olivia Schellenberg, Extraordinary Journeys

No Velvet Ropes

“Hiring a travel advisor means gaining access to a world that simply doesn’t exist through traditional online platforms. We’re able to set up private visits to the world’s most iconic monuments, VIP access to the most sought-after concerts and sporting events, and authentic experiences with locals. ” — Cris Nogueira, Cris Nogueira Travel

“DIY may work for gardening, but not for highly specialized trips. I once had a client with a teenager recovering from illness who loved Italian racing cars. A DIY traveler might include a local auto museum. Through my connections, he was able to drive a Ferrari and have a private tour of the Pagani factory. ” — Amalia Lazarov, Travelicious

Tried and Tested

“Hiring a travel advisor means working with someone who’s been there—literally. On a recent trip to Botswana, I stayed at 14 different camps ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 per person per night. I compared the vibe, service style, wildlife, and seasonality of each camp so that I could recommend the perfect experience for my clients.” — Marni Granston, Tribù Travel

“All websites look attractive but they never mention the negatives, like an inconvenient location, construction nearby, or which rooms have bad views. Travel advisors will have visited each place, so you don’t have to worry about unwelcome surprises. ” — Nicola Shepherd, The Explorations Company

Relax and Enjoy

“Hiring a travel advisor helps bring the fun back into your trip planning. You’ll stop worrying about logistics and instead enjoy the process, from mapping out an itinerary to packing to traveling. It’s about feeling stress-free knowing that your travel advisor has worked through every last detail.” — Teresa Sullivan and Casey Hermansen, Mango African Safaris

“I’m a firm believer that your holiday should start before you leave home. Working with a travel advisor means that you get to enjoy all the daydreaming and brainstorming without the tiresome administrative tasks. Planning your trip should be a time of excitement, not stress. ” — Zoe Shapiro, Stellavision Travel