The Benefits of Using a Travel Planner

By: Sandy Parten

A few years ago, I booked a fantastic honeymoon vacation for a couple. After much work with my partner in Greece, we put together an adventure to Crete that my travelers still talk about today. Everything was handled for them from the moment they stepped off the plane until they boarded for their trip home. Having everything taken care of afforded them the ability to truly relax and enjoy their destination instead of spending time making sure all of the details were correct. For example, they decided to rent a car but realized they had forgotten their International Drivers' Licenses at home upon arrival at the rental car agency. Fortunately, my partner in Greece had personnel on each island and was able to contact the local police, who granted them a temporary permit to drive. Problem solved, vacation saved, and all in no time flat! Solving this on their own would have been far more stressful and time-consuming. This situation is just one of many examples of the benefits of using a travel planner.

 When you use a travel planner, they work with you throughout the entire trip planning process, such as detailed research and planning based on the purpose of your trip and your specific interests, creating a personalized itinerary, and then supporting you while handling all the logistics for your trip. In addition, many of the best travel professionals have first-class suppliers on the ground in each country that they work with to research accommodations, activities, and transportation to create a personalized itinerary based on your individual preferences. These suppliers support you throughout your entire trip and are available 24/7 within the country and town you are visiting.

 Having your travel planned and explicitly coordinated for you is just the beginning of the perks. For example, the top travel planners have connections! Whether you are trying to book space at a coveted villa in Tuscany or a room in a top Paris hotel during Fashion Week, most hoteliers keep emergency inventory, and guess who gets it? The travel planners they have worked with for years and refer business to them. There is no substitute for personal connections, especially when there is scarcity.

 As a society, we live in the age of "experiential travel," and seasoned professionals work with experts worldwide to create one-of-a-kind experiences most people would never have imagined were possible.

 The first thought many people have when considering working with a travel advisor is the cost associated with doing so. However, the reality is that a travel planner saves you hours and hours of work and worry in planning and research. In addition, they can often get their travelers special VIP touches that most people don't have access to or even know exist. So even though many "do-it-yourself" vacationers may pat themselves on the back for saving $100 or even $200, it's when a problem arises, and no one from the online conglomerate can assist that the value of the savings is questionable at best! And even if there are no problems, the best travel professionals include special upgrades and amenities worth much more than those savings.

 You let an expert handle your taxes, so why not let an expert handle your vacation? The next time you are ready to plan your dream trip, consider using a travel planner so you can experience firsthand all of the benefits. Your time is precious, and so are the memories made on your vacations.

Sandy Parten owns Immersion World Travel based in Newport Beach. Her expertise & years of industry experience has helped countless individuals and families plan their dream vacation. Sandy's concierge service, connections all over the world, and vast knowledge are unsurpassed. 

To learn more about Immersion World Travel, visit: www.immersionworldtravel.com