Note sull'episodio
With online booking sites, supplier websites, smartphones, and now artificial intelligence making it easier than ever to plan a trip, do people really still use travel agents?
In the first episode of Travology Unpacked, host Claire Bennett looks at what the modern travel advisor actually does, why travelers still choose professional help, and how the profession has evolved alongside technology rather than disappearing because of it.
We explore why travelers turn to advisors for expertise, time savings, personalized service, complex trips, groups, cruises, international travel, and help when plans don't go as expected. We also look at the other side of the equation: sometimes booking a straightforward trip yourself makes perfect sense.
The question isn't whether everyone needs a travel advisor. It's when having one adds value.
In this episode: • Why travel advisors still exist in the age of online booking • What today's travelers say they value about working with an advisor • How the travel advisor profession has changed • Why complexity and specialization matter • How technology and AI are changing the role rather than simply replacing it • When DIY booking may be perfectly reasonable
Sources & further reading: American Society of Travel Advisors — 2026 industry fact sheet Travel Weekly / Phocuswright — 2025 Travel Industry Survey Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program — research on traveler use of travel advisors
Travology Unpacked takes you inside the business of travel—how the industry works, what's changing, and what it means for the people who plan, sell, and experience travel.
Learn more about Travology at TravologyAgent.com.