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Tracy Lonsdale is the owner of Karma Travel, a full-service boutique travel agency, in association with Altour. She is a seasoned (and saucy) travel vet who learned the craft early under the tutelage of her mother. She loves finding fantastic, tiny places that no one has ever heard of and sharing them with other passionate travelers.

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Karma Group   Reviews

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Everything Karma is fantastic

Everything Karma is fantastic. The resorts and rooms are beautifully curated, the Teams are helpful, kind and happen to materialise whenever you want them. A bit like the resort locations all over the world! We're big fans.

Date of experience : 08 May 2024

Reply from Karma Group

Hi Giovanna, I appreciate your excellent input. We are overjoyed to learn that Karma Resort has exceeded your expectations in every way. We're thrilled to have made your stay delightful, from the exquisitely chosen resorts and rooms to our friendly and accommodating staff. We are honoured to have you as a fan and we can't wait to welcome you back for another incredible experience! Best Regards, The Karma Group Team

With the same amount of money you can arrange for a much better vacation plan that can be personalized to your own schedule, instead of you matching the availability of Karma's limited number of properties. They have oversold their membership

Date of experience : 31 May 2023

We stayed at Karma Kandara in Bali for…

We stayed at Karma Kandara in Bali for a couple of nights and it was truly an amazing experience. We were met solely with kindness and professionalism whenever we came across someone on the team. We experienced both their spa, which was an amazing private area with an ice bath, sauna and jacuzzi after an hour-long amazing massage and their paella night, where we saw the chefs transform the ingredients into pure artwork - not to mention it tasted amazing too. Nothing but good things to say about our stay!

Date of experience : 22 April 2024

Hi Alex, We are delighted to hear about your excellent stay at Karma Kandara in Bali! Your complimentary comments regarding our team's warm hospitality, spa amenities, and delicious paella night improve our day. The very first goal is to provide great service and create wonderful memories for our guests. We can't wait to welcome you back for another incredible experience! Best Regards, The Karma Group Team

Scam scam Scam

Scam scam Scam Karma group membership is a scam Unfortunately our bad luck we took karma membership And after 6 months of membership from last three months we are trying to book holiday for us Every time we are getting the same answer we are booked Lastly I asked them to offer me where they have available occupancy Again nothing For what I’m paying them Would like to know Last time I tried to book I was told to give them 30 days prior to booking Now this time I want to book for July I.e 45 days prior but again they are booked We got free stay vouchers and trust me they are only a paper to wipe ur ass or to use it as tiolet paper. NEVER FALL FOR THERE SCAM SPREAD WORD

Hi Arun, We sincerely apologise for any trouble we may have caused and we appreciate your input. Concerning booking flexibility and availability, we're actively addressing your problems. To provide everyone with a more seamless experience, our team is actively looking into any problems with our reservation system. As we strive to swiftly resolve these issues, we sincerely appreciate your patience. You may be confident that your pleasure always comes first and that we'll do everything in our power to deliver the first-rate service you look forward to from Karma Group. We appreciate your important participation. Best Regards, The Karma Group Team

If I could give them less than one…

If I could give them less than one star, I would! Worst company I have ever had to deal with! Their free voucher is a total scam. I have been trying to get dates for months, and each time after confirming the dates they say, "those dates are no longer available." They take over a week to reply and their team is full of incompetent staff! We wasted a whole day of our honeymoon in Bali and almost bought their membership. At the end we won the 7 night complementary voucher. Which we cannot redeem because of their scam of always saying "sorry those dates are no longer available" . They have put me through so much stress during my pregnancy. I have paid the $100 fee to even secure my booking, yet they replied after over a week and said the dates are no longer available. Now I have sent several emails to get my refund because I no longer wish to deal with them at 38 weeks of my pregnancy and they will not reply to any of my emails. Rachel Green is the woman who has replied to a few emails and she is as incompetent as the rest of them. Seems like this whole company is about the owner making people pay thousands of pounds to provide a below average service that they can never book! No wonder he doesn't have any partners and no one can buy shares in this fraudulent company. The date of my experience goes back to 17/11/23 and it is still ON GOING! Please people do not buy into their scam membership and do not waste time on your precious holidays to listen to pitch! ITS ALL A LIE! I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!!!

Date of experience : 17 November 2023

Stay away from this company !!!

Stay away from this company as it uses unscrupulous business practices !!!! While holidaying in Bali back in January, I was provided with a scratch card by a Karma sales agent on the road which turned out to yield a 7-days luxury holiday voucher. After attending a 2-hours presentation at their office, I was told that the booking invitation link was sent to my email. However, after numerous follow-ups, and Whatsup message exchanges Karma Club hasn't been willing to make the booking which goes to show that their promotion is a complete scam!!!

Date of experience : 05 January 2024

Hi Mike, Addressing Your Concerns and Improving Your Experience At the Karma Group, our mission is to provide our guests with happy and memorable holiday experiences that exceed their expectations. We regret to hear that we may have fallen short of delivering the exceptional experience you deserve. Your feedback is incredibly important to us, and we are actively investigating the concerns you have brought to our attention. Our team is dedicated to understanding the issues you encountered and finding solutions to ensure your satisfaction. To assist us in addressing your concerns and improving your experience, we kindly request that you provide us with your telephone number and email address. This will enable us to promptly reach out to you the team and address this. Please rest assured that we are committed to resolving any issues and ensuring that your future interactions with the Karma Group are nothing short of outstanding. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Kind regards, The Karma Group Team

Hate the manager rosvelt white hair old guy

that fu#$k manager rosvelt talk to u as if he owns u bloody ass**"hole he as no respect for people thing is the manager called rosvelt because of him I lost interest with in 15 min bloody assh**e he was rude thts my point of review tbh few days back my friend also brought it for his family they are happy with the products he told me karma kandara is very good that's what he told me.. they said they are planning to go for Europe next year with karma resort..

Date of experience : 25 January 2024

Hello Nirmal Khanna, The Karma Group prides itself on creating happy and memorable experiences for all our guests. It is, therefore, disappointing to read your review on your recent interaction with a member of the team, and is of serious concern. We will certainly look into this, to help us better, may we request some information on the location of where you had the meeting and your contact details as well. This will help with getting the team to look into what went wrong and make amends to ensure nothing less than a stellar service to all of our valued customers. We look forward to your response soon to be able to assist and resolve. Thank you. Kind regards, The Karma Group Team

We stayed in Haathi Mahal in Goa!..what…

We stayed in Haathi Mahal in Goa!..what an experience!!!!...too good.. excellent staff,neat and tidy rooms,food is delicious..added advantage..if u are a parent you can actually relax when the kids are in the pool..they take such good care!!! Thank u Karma for making our holiday Amazing!!!!

Date of experience : 08 April 2024

Hi Aparna, We're pleased to hear about your amazing experience at Karma Haathi Mahal in Goa! We're delighted to hear that you and your family had a fantastic time, and we appreciate your kind words about our services and staff. It means a lot to us and we're thrilled to have made your vacation unforgettable. We look forward to welcoming you back for more memorable experiences. Best Regards, The Karma Group Team

Do they believe their own hype?

"Our selling strategy is one of the most unique forms of marketing" Oh pleease! Listen to yourselves! We wasted an hour of our valuable time in Hoi An - being sweet talked by the double glazing salesman on a moped. Stupidly we went to the office with the scratch card, cut a long story short we fortunately just wasted an hour. If you bothered to qualify your leads you'd have found out that these just aren't our types of holidays. If we'd have visited the property it would have taken all afternoon. We got a restaurant voucher but didn't use it as we wanted to forget the experience.

Date of experience : 28 March 2024

Hi Kathleen, We apologise for your dissatisfactory experience with our selling strategies and regret for any inconvenience caused to you. Your opinion is valuable, and we will review our processes to guarantee a more personalised approach in the future. Please contact us directly at [email protected] for any further queries or issues. Thank you for your patience. Kind regards, The Karma Group Team

Releted our booking experience

Munera mam give us very good response in our booking She gives us very good seevice and we are so satisfied.We call Muneraji as our family member. Thanks Muneraji

Date of experience : 13 April 2024

Hi Shrikant, We're pleased to hear about your amazing experience with us! We're appreciate your kind words about our services .It means a lot to us and we're thrilled to have made your vacation unforgettable. We look forward to welcoming you back for more memorable experiences. Best Regards, The Karma Group Team

Scam scam scam...

Scam scam scam... All I can say is don't listen to a word they say. Just glad I read the reviews on the trip back to the office after looking at the resort. I feel they get backpackers to work for penny's that are trying to fund their hoildays. I did feel sorry for them. If you see them on the street don't go with them, it's a waste of time

Date of experience : 01 May 2024

Hi Lisa, We apologies for your dissatisfaction with our selling techniques and regret any inconvenience this has caused you. Your feedback is valuable, and we will review our processes to ensure a more tailored approach in the future. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any more questions or difficulties. Thank you for being patient. Warm regards, The Karma Group Team

5 Star Service 5 Star Resorts

Me and my wife visited Bali a couple of weeks ago and went to one of their presentations in their office near Seminyak. It was well presented by the salesperson Jay and his manager Ritchie. We were a bit sceptical at first about signing up on the day but the benefits that the membership offers were very appealing to us. We also knew the membership is much more expensive if you sign up in the UK. We decided to purchase and as a bonus received a few nights in their Karma Kandara resort whilst we were there which was a lovely 5 star experience. Since we have returned to London, my wife has already booked us a Caribbean cruise for pretty much half price and we have trips booked to stay at their resorts in Tuscany and Scilly Isles. Booking was straightforward and easy so can't really fault it so far. Happy campers.

Date of experience : 04 April 2024

Hi Miles and Louise, Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with us Miles. We are thrilled to hear that you had such a positive encounter with our team and that you were impressed with our presentation and commitment to honesty. We are proud to offer our guests a transparent and pressure-free sales approach, and we are delighted that you found our staff to be informative and helpful. We look forward to welcoming you back to Bali soon! Best regards, The Karma Group Team

They really scammers almost went with…

They really scammers almost went with them luckily I read the reviews in time one guy approached us on the street in Bali witb free tickets and we won the big prize nobody wins he say and he will get 60euro that's why he excited then I read reviews everbody has the same prize but you will not get the prize be carefull with this company if they approach do yourself a favor and you just walk away

Date of experience : 05 May 2024

Hi Jimmy, We understand your concerns after reading some of the previous reviews, however I wish to assure you and other people reading this that we give away hundreds of valid prizes every month. iPhone 15 , Latest IPads and Apple Watches, Cash and luxury holidays. Please see below a link with testimonials of previous winners so far this month. https://mvopc.karmagroup.com/ We’d love to invite you to our exhibition center for 1 hour to find out about our exclusive membership programs , there is no cost or obligation and we’d reward you with a luxury 7 night stay for your time plus have dinner on us at the wonderful Jimbaran seafood restaurants at sunset! Please contact us at [email protected] to arrange this please, Thank you. Best regards, The Karma Group Team

I worked for Karma and I would like to tell you what I think about Karma Group

I worked for Karma. I know for a fact that 60% of everything they tell customers is a lie and our managers teach us how to deceive customers. In addition to that, Karma is also a scam to it's employees. Karma still owes me 2 weeks salary and they owe my co-worker even more. 80% of Karma Hoi An's salesmen quit within one month. That tells you something. They tell you they have 7,000 affiliates you can book with. In reality, you can only book with 20% of those affiliates. They want you to make a decades long commitment within a one hour meeting. They want you to make a 9k-15k purchase after just learning about it an hour or so ago. My co-worker who was salesman of the year for Karma Hoi An in 2023 told me that 25% of his customers who became a member eventually regret joining. He told me that one woman was crying hours after joining Karma because she realized the huge mistake she just made. I know this because my co-worker showed me text messages he received from those upset customers. Everything I just said is what I saw and learned from my time working as a salesman with Karma Group.

Date of experience : 09 January 2024

Bad sales practices - avoid

Like other reviewers, we were approached while on holiday with the promise of a "prize" of free accommodation in return for taking part in "an hour presentation". We knew of people who had actually got a decent stay out of this type of thing even if they don't buy, so we thought it was worth a listen. The presentation turned into over 2 hours of them carefully avoiding the cost. When they finally revealed the cost we said no - but the promised voucher has never arrived. Any attempts to raise it with their call centre simply generates a one-line response asking for irrelevant information - we're not even sure we're talking to a human. If approached by these people while on holiday - avoid!

Date of experience : 12 March 2024

Hi Derek, We are appreciative of your time spent writing a review. Undoubtedly, our sales approach is among the most distinctive in the industry since we invite potential customers to visit our property and let them see firsthand what we have to offer. We do appreciate the time you spent learning about Karma Group Memberships and can assure you that any prizes won are legitimate. We will look into these issues right away! To ensure that your problems are addressed promptly, please get in touch with us directly at [email protected]. Kind Regards, The Karma Group Team

Don't believe the hype!

The whole thing is a sales stunt. They lure you in with promises of free meals and free holidays you supposedly 'win' . You will never see that holiday .. they just use it to make you sit through their speil. They want you to buy a membership which supposidedly buys you discounted accommodation. I have heard members can't get accommodation because the company uses the rooms to snag more clients with discounted holidays. Just another scam. In response to your response . We have already endured hours of your presentation with the promise of a free holiday which never came. Why on earth would we subject ourselves to that again?

Date of experience : 24 February 2024

Hi Francesca, We're sorry for any disappointment. Our promotions aim to introduce guests to our membership options transparently. We have many different promotions across the island and we would be thrilled to invite you on a preview in future to see for yourself our wonderful product. If you have any information or concerns to share, please contact us at [email protected]. Your feedback is important to us as we continually strive to improve our services Kind regards, The Karma Group Team

A cheap holiday?

Was offered a very cheap holiday at Hoi An. $149 AUD for 7 nights, pay $49 deposit and pay the other $100 when you book your dates within 3 months, for any time in the next 12 months. Trying to book for February 2025, I'm told I can only do that from June-July 2024. This is outside the 3 month window but when I enquire if the deal would still be valid I'm told that I have to book in 3 months. So Karma is not honouring the deal it offered and I want my deposit back. Judging by the experiences detailed here I am not going to hold my breath. Updated following response: Nice try - you agree with the 12 month limit on the voucher but ignore the 3 month booking window and the point i have made. Please tell me what you think i will find in the terms and conditions that changes this situation?

Hi Martin, Thank you for contacting us regarding your recent holiday offer in Hoi An. We regret any confusion caused during the booking process and as specified by you the voucher must be used within 12 months. We would request you to go through the terms and conditions once again and please send us your contact information at [email protected] in case there are any further queries. We attempt to offer clear and accurate information about our promotions. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Best Regards, The Karma Group Team

Beware: Holiday in Vietnam

Holiday in Vietnam, and like others were approached and given vouchers to open and lo and behold we are winners. 1hrs of our time yadayada. The sale went on and on. We asked to see terms and conditions and told them we are concerned when an organisation says that they only have their full package for those that sign up on the spot and to wait for the full presentation to finish, and to visit the resort. We said we don't make decisions on investments on the spot. Backed out and he kept saying that it's marketing and they have 80,000 people signed up etc. Well all that is saying is your marketing is successful as it's so aggressive. They "love bomb" you. Of course dropped back off well away from where we were picked from the street, in 33C heat to try and get back to our hotel before checkout at 12. Beware. Don't ever make decisions on the spot and these people appear to prey on those that do, at least to us.

Date of experience : 02 April 2024

Hi Dave, Thank you for your review. Our distinctive sales approach entails inviting clients to experience our properties firsthand, enabling them to fully grasp our offerings. We appreciate your patience with this process. Nevertheless, we take all allegations seriously and will promptly investigate them. We appreciate you informing us, please contact us at [email protected] so we can address your concerns with urgency and sincerity. Best Regards, The Karma Group Team

Don't trust karma group

I wish I could have less than one star that gives to karma group. I got voucher for free 1 week stay. When I want to use the voucher they told me that this dates booking full for Vietnam then I told them ok I change destination and told book for another they told me not available for u r dates this happens 5-6 times I change destination n they told me not available u can go for this this dates . We can't go when they say. Then I told them I don't wanna continue u r membership I want refund whatever amount I have paid they told me no this can not happen.

Date of experience : 18 March 2024

Hi Manali, The Karma Group prides itself on creating happy and memorable holiday experiences for our guests. It is, therefore, disappointing to hear of your less than stellar experience, and understand that it can be frustrating not being able to book for dates as requested due to accommodation availability. We are speaking to the Team to understand the concerns that you have highlighted and you will be contacted by the member relations department for assistance. Thank you. Kind Regards, The Karma Group Team

I've been a Karma member for 6 years…

I've been a Karma member for 6 years and I've had more than my monies worth and stayed at some beautiful boutique hotels all over the world. My fave resort is Karma Minoan in Crete, absolutely stunning. I highly recommend Karma and looking forward to some great holidays this year.

Date of experience : 22 February 2024

Hi Sheila, Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience as a Karma Group Member for the past six years. We are thrilled to hear that you have enjoyed your membership and have been able to explore beautiful boutique hotels around the world. We are particularly delighted to learn that Karma Minoan in Crete holds a special place in your heart. We strive to provide unique and memorable experiences for our members at all our destinations, and we appreciate your recommendation. We are committed to continuously improving our offerings and exceeding the expectations of our members. We are excited to help you create more amazing holiday experiences this year and in the years to come. Thank you once again for your loyalty and advocacy. The Karma Group Team

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Digital Journeys: The AI Travel Revolution

Travel: the joy of the open road. New cultures discovered, friends made. A chance to unplug, reconnect with nature, to treat yourself. Travel planning on the other hand: stress! At least that’s how things used to be. The advent of the internet revolutionised the way we plan our holidays – and now AI is set to take things to a whole new level.

AI is already enhancing the travel experience with traveller analysis, optimised pricing strategies based on real time adjustments and fine tuned interactions with AI chatbots – all promising a seismic shift towards truly bespoke travel experiences – and smooth and seamless planning. 

On a macro level, AI’s predictive capabilities will allow the industry to accurately predict key trends and to allocate resources accordingly, potentially making travel more sustainable – depending on how the AI itself is powered of course. 

Here at Karma Group, we are staying abreast of these developments and we are already implementing AI powered live chat features and helpful how-to guides on our websites and apps. All of which lets you focus on the important things: having unforgettable holidays!

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It's Time

We can't overstate the obvious; it's been a rough couple years.  It's time, though, to look forward.  It's time to catch-up on those moments we've put off.  It's time to see those people and those places we've missed.

It's time to travel again.

How We Got Started

Makarma Travel was founded in 1998, and our company has always been based on a foundation of exceeding customer expectations. We want to be the team you think of each-and-every time you consider a trip away from home. 

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We can help you travel anywhere, anytime, but we're experts in cruise and all-inclusive vacations to the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe and Alaska. Need a weekend in Las Vegas?  Of course, we can do that to. 

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Your gateway to a world of bespoke lifestyle experiences

Experience the world in style with Karma Club

Karma Club is an exciting new travel and lifestyle concept that gives its members exclusive access to a worldwide collection of boutique luxury resorts, eateries, spas, events and destination experiences. It’s a unique opportunity to sample Karma Group’s international portfolio with a wealth of incredible benefits.  

WORLD CLASS

Exclusive access, a wealth of benefits.

Karma Club gives you privileged access to the world of Karma, with a wealth of curated travel and lifestyle benefits – from complimentary accommodation to discounts at fine dining and spa venues and invitations to exclusive events…

From 20% discount off our Best Available Public Rates on applicable Karma Group properties.*

Room upgrades are available upon request and will be from 20% off Best Available Rates (BAR) of the room type difference.

From 10% discount on Food & Beverage at all Karma Group venues.

From 10% discount on all wellness treatments at all award winning Karma Spa venues.

Enjoy early check-in and late check-out. (Subject to availability).

Privileged access to the international Karma Collection

Destination portfolio.

Award-winning experiences in the world’s most captivating destinations: savour fine Tuscan wine in southern Italy or mix it up with rock and roll royalty in London’s Soho.  Ski powdery slopes in the Bavarian Alps or experience desert glamping in Rajasthan. There are a myriad uniquely tailored experiences to choose from with Karma Club.

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Our award-winning karma concierge is at your service..

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Karma Muter

Certified travel consultant (ctc).

A Certified Travel Consultant (CTC), Karma began her career with Covington Travel Inc. in 1981.  Over the years, she has helped countless clients realize their dream vacations.  Whether your dream is to stay in an over-the-water bungalow, cruise around the world, take an African Safari, see wild bears in Alaska, go surfing or ride an outrigger canoe in Hawaii, see the northern lights in Iceland or rest on a wonderful beach – Karma can make it happen.  Karma loves finding trips and destinations that match her clients’ priorities, whether it’s a multi-generational family trip, honeymoon, custom in-depth personalized itineraries, cruises or beach getaway. She is a Certified Sandals Specialist (CSS) and has been to most all the Sandals and Beaches properties across the Caribbean.  She would love the opportunity to help plan your next unforgettable vacation!

Interests & Specialties: Family Travel, Caribbean, Hawaii, Europe, Alaska, Destination Weddings, Honeymoons.

Favorite City: London, England Favorite Vacation: Beach Vacations are my favorite – however I really loved Alaska too.

— Contact Karma at 260-432-5995 or Email

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2 NIGHTS BUCHAREST, 2 NIGHTS BRASOV PRE-CRUISE AND 3 NIGHTS PRAGUE POST-CRUISE -or- 3 NIGHTS ISTANBUL PRE-CRUISE AND 3 NIGHTS PRAGUE POST-CRUISE  

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Jeff was bitten with the travel bug through his corporate assignments.  He has a passion for all things automotive and a long time interest in history.  Dana has had a longtime passion for c ruis ing and loves trying regional wines and meals ~ the spicier the better!

We have taken friends, family, and groups on some wonderful experiences!

CURATED AND TAILORED EXPERIENCES

Jeff focuses on bespoke travel coordination tailored to the 'gearhead'.  If there's a place with automotive events, museums, or collections he wants to take you there!  We both enjoy wine and beer culture too.  

We have a great amount of experience with Italy, Germany, the UK, and beyond.  We love combining interests that create unique experiences for everyone -- we strive to have something for everyone in every tour we do .  

Beyond our curated tours...

We can support you with any and all travel needs -- Want to book a cruise?  Need a hotel room?  Rental car?  We can help you out and book it! 

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Destinations.ai

We make it easy to find the perfect travel destination

12 Best AI Travel Tools & Resources to Plan Your Trip

Author: Destinations.ai · Updated on: February 1, 2024

The world of AI solutions is making amazing new things possible in many industries. Emerging trends in the hospitality business are using AI applications to find the best deals to book flights, plan curated itineraries, and navigate to their destinations — all in a convenient self-service portal. In this article, we compared online reviews from hundreds of users to find artificial intelligence travel tools for your next travel and tourism.

Best AI Travel Tools & Resources

1. best artificial intelligence travel tool overall — destinations.ai.

Destinations.ai is made to be your all-in-one artificial travel assistant in a way that traditional travel companies can’t match. Regarding the travel industry, this is the artificial intelligence you want at your disposal. It isn’t just a travel assistant — it is a total vacation planner that uses customer preferences and data analysis to generate an AI-designed holiday trip.

You put in your preferences for travel dates, airlines, budget, temperature, scenery, and other travel planning needs, and Destinations.ai generates a custom-made vacation destination just for you. That includes hotel bookings, flight reservations, and tourist destinations in just a few moments.

Regarding personalized experiences and virtual assistants in the travel industry, there is nothing quite like Destinations.ai. This savvy artificial intelligence points to the future of the travel business, showing the endless possibilities of travel and AI. If you want to explore but aren’t sure where to start, Destinations.ai could be an excellent choice.

• No plan is needed; completely free
• It only takes a few moments to generate an itinerary
• Supplemental travel guides to learn more about a location
• A new tool, so it may have bugs that need to be fixed
• Few reviews yet available to compare
• I can plan trips only in the US at the moment

2. ViaTravelers Authentic AI Travel Planner

As travelers increasingly look for smarter ways to plan their trips, the  ViaTravelers Travel Itinerary Generator emerges as a notable tool in AI-driven travel planning. This platform utilizes artificial intelligence to craft personalized itineraries, simplifying the travel planning process for its users. If you are GPT Plus member, they also have a custom GPT called ViaTravelers – Ultimate Travel Planner , so you plan your travel on the go.

The AI at ViaTravelers stands out for its ability to select flights and  hotels , among other travel necessities, aligning with a traveler’s preferences and budget. Rather than sifting through myriad options on sites like Kayak or Expedia, this itinerary generator offers a more targeted approach:

• Preferences Tailoring : Users input what’s important for their trip, such as destinations, budget, and themes.
• AI Automation : The AI analyzes preferences against vast data to suggest the most suitable travel plans.
• Personalization : Each itinerary is uniquely generated, tapping into user-specific desires and needs.

ViaTravelers adopts an API similar to that of innovative travel planners, yet it emphasizes authenticity by drawing upon its travel experiences to inform suggestions. This positions the tool as a hybrid between a search engine and a personal travel advisor.

The service also acknowledges the role of AI trip planner tools in streamlining travel planning. By leveraging ChatGPT-like capabilities, it manages to curate personalized travel itineraries seamlessly. Despite these advanced features, ViaTravelers remains impartial, earning commissions on purchases or bookings made through the platform, as is common in the industry. This generator is part of the future of automated travel planning, combining user input with intelligent algorithms for an optimized travel planning experience.

3. Best Tool for Cheap Flight and Hotel Alerts — Mighty Travels

Mighty Travels Premium is a travel platform that provides travelers with a vast array of services designed to enhance the travel experience. It offers an interactive interface providing up-to-date information on flight deals, hotel discounts, and rewards programs.

Mighty Travels Premium can be an invaluable tool for frequent travelers looking to optimize their fare costs and mileage usage. Occasional travelers who prefer a more straightforward booking process may not utilize its full benefits.

• Comprehensive Information: It provides users with extensive flight data, including prices, destinations, airlines, and potential use of miles.
• Updated Deals: Regularly updated fare deals allow users to find the best price for their desired destination.
• Travel Using Miles: The platform indicates how users can leverage various loyalty program miles for their travels.
• Price Comparison: The tool compares the offered and average market prices for each itinerary.
• Global Destination Coverage: Mighty Travels Premium covers a wide range of destinations across the globe, including minor airports and less popular routes.
• Overwhelming Data: For new users or infrequent travelers, the volume of information might be overwhelming and hard to process.
• Premium Feature Accessibility: Some features are only accessible via a premium subscription, which may not be affordable for all users.
• No Direct Booking: You cannot directly book your tickets through the platform. It serves as a search engine redirecting you to third-party websites for actual booking.
• Limited Airline Representation: While it does provide options from various airlines, some low-cost carriers are underrepresented or absent in search results.

4. Best Artificial Intelligence Travel Tool For Groups — KAYAK

You may have heard of KAYAK as one of the top travel metasearch engines for hotel rooms, flights, and car rentals. However, this AI-driven site in the travel industry can also help curate the perfect itinerary for your next trip, all with the most basic information.

It also tracks the flights during your travel dates to help you find the best deals. Most notably, KAYAK’s itinerary function can be shared between users, making it ideal for planning a vacation with family members or a big group of friends. Customers can also approve flight alerts to get the best deals to book airlines and travel without breaking the bank!

KAYAK may still be primarily known as a standard booking company in the travel and tourism industry, but it has a bright future. If you are planning a group travel experience or want to share your travel plans with friends, this could be right up your alley.

Pros: 

• The platform is easy to use and intuitive
• Multiuser sharing makes it easy to plan group trips
• Flight alerts offer the chance to get better deals on travel
• Some reviewers mention information such as travel dates or hotels being changed without their knowledge
• You will need to be cautious of scams, as scammers have found ways to work with KAYAK

See Related: Most Romantic Places in the World

5. Best Artificial Intelligence Travel Tool For Trips With Multiple Stops — Roamr

Roamr is a newer artificial intelligence tool that lets you complete a travel itinerary in mere seconds with a few basic details, including your budget, travel dates, and where you want to go.

But the most intriguing feature of Roamr is that it makes it possible to plan a trip between several cities in the same area in a way that most travel companies can’t. One example: want to explore both Munich and Prague in one weekend? Roamr will point you toward local train schedules and other info to help you make multiple stops on a single trip.

This is especially helpful in places such as Europe, where you can quickly jump between cities and even countries within a day. If you have a lot of quick stops on a more extended trip, Roamr could be the travel assistant you need.

• Making an itinerary is super-fast and only requires basic details
• It helps you plan both international and local travel
• Made to work with mobile devices
• Still in its early days, so there may be bugs to smooth out
• Not a lot of reviews online

6. Best Artificial Intelligence Travel Tool For Business Travel — Amgine

Imagine was designed as HelloGbye, an AI-powered platform with business travel in mind. This tool is intended for people who frequently travel in their line of work and have to deal with the regular hassle of booking flights and hotel rooms. What is more, Amgine isn’t purely AI — it works in a unique human-AI interface that helps the booking process and other travel-related methods go more smoothly and successfully.

Business people face unique challenges when booking travel, especially if their job centers on traveling. Imagine is a travel assistant that takes the stress and struggles out of traveling for work, making the process smoother in a way that is beyond human intelligence or the capacities of most tourism companies. If you travel for work regularly — especially if you often cross borders or fly across the world — Amgine could be just what you need when it comes to AI in travel.

• Designed with businesspeople in mind
• It uses a human-AI interface to help the process be smooth and automated but also relevant and helpful
• Not widely available — customers must request a demo on the website to use

7. Best Artificial Intelligence Travel Tool For Those on a Budget — Expedia

We have all heard of Expedia as a website for booking car rentals, hotel rooms, and other travel needs. However, the popular platform also uses AI to improve its customer experience. Customers start by narrowing their search based on location, budget, travel dates, and other preferences.

Through the artificial intelligence-powered website, Expedia helps you find the cheapest flights and most comfortable hotels with dynamic pricing services. One of the site’s biggest appeals is the helpfulness of the AI chatbot, which can respond promptly to people experiencing travel crises who need to rebook or cancel flights, car rentals, or hotel rooms. If you want to be able to change your travel plans and customize your vacation with a dynamic robot concierge, Expedia could be a perfect choice.

• It helps you find the best accommodation bookings suited to your needs
• The helpful chatbot is widely recognized for its machine-learning algorithms and excellent customer experience
• Travelers can change travel choices as needed, even in an emergency
• Some customers report being able to find better deals by reaching out to hotel owners or travel agents directly
• Cancellation policies may be strict

See Related: Best Spring Break Destinations in the US

8. Best Artificial Intelligence Travel Tool For Those Who Need Offline Access — TripIt

TripIt helps you organize your trip in one place by helping you plan ahead and keeping you abreast of minute-by-minute travel changes. These include everything related to trips, from gate changes to flight delays and other information.

The tools allow users to track their trip even while not connected to the internet, making it a valuable platform for those traveling to places that might not have consistent internet access. The Pro offerings will allow you to track live flight updates, fare adjustments, and other changing information.

• Pro TripIt allows travelers to track live updates regarding their bookings and itinerary.
• An all-in-one platform keeps you organized.
• All you have to do is make a booking and select “forward to TripIt” to have it added automatically to your itinerary
• Offline access to itineraries
• The free version does not offer access to all features, such as live flight updates

9. Best AI Tool For Those Whose Plans Change — iPlan

Are you the kind of person who prefers not to have a set-in-stone travel itinerary and instead see where your trip takes you? Many customers are! Users can still use AI in travel with a tool like iPlan . This platform adjusts your itinerary automatically as you update it, customizing it as much as you want.

Through some savvy machine learning, iPlan will rewrite your plans in moments. To make it even easier to coordinate while still being spontaneous, you can share the itinerary with other travelers, making it simple to travel with a group of friends or colleagues.

Every person with access can edit the plans, too. This handy tool proves that planning things doesn’t have to take the fun and spontaneity out of travel.

• Shared edit access makes it easy for group travelers to collaborate
• Problem-solving AI technology adjusts your itinerary as you edit elements
• Quick adjustments help travelers adapt in seconds
• Completely free to users
• Limited information and customer reviews online

10. Best AI Travel Tool For Exploring a City — Roam Around

ChatGPT is undoubtedly one of the most well-known AI technologies of today. Roam Around works directly with the platform to assist you with basic travel planning needs.

Performing tasks requires only a small amount of basic information — your destination and the length of your time there. It then produces a tailored itinerary with suggestions for what you should do during your stay.

Roam Around is a pretty essential tool for AI in travel, but this could be helpful for those who don’t know how to formulate sophisticated questions for data processing. On the other hand, some people might find it lacking in terms of tools and filters.

• Offers basic information about tourist destinations to visit during your stay
• Works with ChatGPT, a widely-accessible AI tool
• Basic enough for almost anyone to use it
• It doesn’t allow you to filter or refine your queries
• It might not present enough information for many customers’ needs
• It does not track airlines, flight information, or hotel bookings

See Related: Best Beach Vacations in Europe

11. Best AI Travel Tool For Those Who Want a Unique Experience — Vacay

If you’re looking for something genuinely tailor-made for your travel needs and goals, Vacay is a perfect choice. This AI chatbot partners with ChatGPT to help you figure out the ideal vacation for your needs, including destinations, travel dates, things to do, and more.

This is an excellent option for those who want to take a trip but aren’t sure where to start. Vacay will even provide recommendations for local hotels, restaurants, and entertainment. This means that it has many uses, and consequently, you’ll have to know how to use AI chatbots to refine your search.

• Helps design customized vacation itinerary
• Available with suggestions for local hotspots
• Not well-suited for those who don’t know how to write AI prompts
• The itinerary must be copy-pasted to notepad, as details aren’t saved

12. Best AI Travel Tool For Non-English Speakers — Skyscanner

All these travel tools are great, but you might be out of luck if English isn’t your preferred language. If your travel planning happens in another language, you might have an easier time with an AI assistant like Skyscanner . This Edinburgh-based AI tool offers the chance to make an all-in-one travel plan in one of 30 languages.

To make it even more accessible, you can connect to the AI chatbot through social media, including Facebook messenger and WhatsApp . Start by searching with even the barest details — you don’t have to have a destination if you’re unsure where you want to go. To start, you must type “Anywhere,” and you’ll be directed toward the cheapest flights during your travel period.

• Available in 30 languages
• Accessible through social media platforms
• You can get as detailed or barebones as you like
• Not operated on a single platform (you’ll be directed to the website to finish your travel booking)

Related Resources

• Best Destinations in the World
• How to Find the Perfect Travel Destination
• How to Use a Vacation Generator to Find a Destination

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Time for a humble brag. sorry, not sorry., “an absolutely amazing app, so much incredible information available, produces fantastic itineraries. great videos, reels etc.”, “fav new app. literally planned a whole trip to thailand for me. she's really funny and i love the bucketlists”, “layla is a fascinating, inspirational ai trip planning tool that can really open my eyes to things i want to see and do.”, “i'm traveling in #bali for a month, and i found out about this platform yesterday.i swear i'm in shock. it's like talking to a human, funny, asks questions for better responses, and knows everything.”, “it was like chatting with that one friend who's been everywhere, done everything, and has the best travel recommendations regardless of which country you are asking for”, names you might know from layla’s travel dream team, i’d be nothing without them (literally)., as featured in, not just a website, for the ultimate virtual travel agent experience download the free layla app., snap up best flights & hotels, layla will accurately predict the flight prices, and find you the perfect rate for the hotel you’ve been daydreaming of., plan with your friends, create bucketlists and invite your pals to collaborate with you on your trip together, adding hotels you like, places to see and itineraries for your stay., save your chats, travel inspiration comes in waves. each chat you’ve had with layla is saved to your profile to check back on whenever you’re ready to pick up the convo again., bring layla with you every step of the way.

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Travel Assistants

7 Best AI Travel Assistants in 2024

By  Alex  • Updated Oct 28, 2023

Travelling is a riveting experience for many, filled with adventure, learning and plenty of memorable moments. However, the process of planning the trip can be quite daunting, and this is where AI Travel Assistants come in.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of AI Travel Assistants and explore the top 7 tools that are revolutionizing the travel experience.

Best AI Travel Assistants

• Roam Around
• Trip Planner AI
• Copilot2trip

What Makes a Great AI Travel Assistant?

Before we plunge into the list of the top travel assistants, let's understand what makes a great AI Travel Assistant. A perfect AI Travel Assistant should be able to:

• Understand User Preferences: The ability to comprehend and cater to the unique preferences of each user is at the heart of any successful AI travel assistant. This includes understanding the type of travel (business or leisure), preferred destinations, budget constraints, and more.
• Offer Personalized Recommendations: Based on the user's preferences, the assistant should generate personalized recommendations, including destinations, activities, accommodations, and dining options.
• Provide Real-Time Updates: Travel plans can often be affected by real-time factors such as weather conditions, traffic, and more. A great AI travel assistant should be capable of providing real-time updates to ensure a smooth travel experience.
• Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface and seamless usability are crucial. Users should be able to easily enter their preferences and receive comprehensive travel plans without any hassles.
• Integrate with Other Platforms: The travel assistant should be able to integrate well with other platforms for booking flights, hotels, or activities. This allows for a smooth end-to-end travel planning experience.

Now that we are aware of what to look for in an AI Travel Assistant, let's deep dive into our curated list of the 7 Best AI Travel Assistants in 2024.

1. Roam Around

Roam Around is an AI-powered travel assistant that aims to make travel planning a breeze. It generates custom trip plans, offering a simple user interface that allows users to enter a desired location and access a list of popular places in that area.

Key Features:

• Personalized Recommendations: Based on user preferences, Roam Around offers personalized recommendations for places to visit, things to do, and hotels to stay in.
• Optimal Routing: By considering distances between locations, Roam Around suggests efficient routes that avoid unnecessary detours.
• Image Previews: The tool provides high-quality images of popular destinations, giving users a glimpse of what to expect.

Our Take: Roam Around is an excellent tool for those who prefer a hands-on approach to planning their travels. The added benefit of optimal routing and image previews make it a great choice for self-planners.

2. Trip Planner AI

Trip Planner AI is an all-in-one travel planning solution that provides users with flight, hotel, and itinerary booking, along with expense tracking and travel recommendations.

• Comprehensive Itinerary: Users can create travel plans based on their desired travel dates, locations, and activities. The platform uses artificial intelligence to suggest the best routes and activities.
• Expense Tracking: Manage your travel budget effectively with Trip Planner AI's expense tracking feature.
• Integrated Booking System: The platform features an integrated booking system that streamlines reserving travel itineraries.

Our Take: Trip Planner AI is a comprehensive tool that covers all aspects of travel planning. Its ability to track expenses and manage bookings makes it an excellent choice for meticulous planners.

3. Tripnotes

Tripnotes is a travel-focused AI tool that helps users plan their trips with personalized recommendations and detailed itineraries.

• Personalized Itineraries: Based on user preferences, Tripnotes generates detailed itineraries, covering everything from accommodation to activities.
• Easy to Use: With a user-friendly design and intuitive navigation, Tripnotes makes travel planning easy and hassle-free.
• Real-Time Updates: Tripnotes provides real-time updates on travel restrictions, weather forecasts, and flight schedules.

Our Take: Tripnotes is a solid choice for those who value detailed itineraries and real-time updates. Its user-friendly design makes it accessible to all types of travelers.

4. Wonderplan

Wonderplan is an AI-driven travel assistant that curates unique itineraries based on user's passions and budget.

• Custom Itineraries: Based on user's interests, budget, and time constraints, Wonderplan creates a custom itinerary that’s tailored to their preferences.
• Optimal Route Recommendation: The tool suggests the best way to get from one place to another, considering distance, traffic, and user's interests.
• Interactive Experiences: Experience relaxation before getting on a trip with Wonderplan's unique feature of choosing your natural background.

Our Take: If you're looking for a travel assistant that can help you plan an unforgettable trip based on your interests, Wonderplan is a great choice.

5. Copilot2trip

Copilot2trip is a personal travel assistant that helps users plan their trips with detailed itineraries and personalized recommendations.

• Tailored Recommendations: The tool offers personalized recommendations based on user preferences and real-time inputs.
• Detailed Itineraries: Users can receive comprehensive itineraries that include information on destinations, accommodations, and activities.
• Ease of Use: Copilot2trip offers a user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to plan their trips.

Our Take: Copilot2trip is a reliable tool for those who prefer detailed, personalized travel itineraries. Its user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to use.

Tripbot is an AI-powered trip planner that provides users with personalized itineraries and real-time recommendations based on their interests and preferences.

• Personalized Itineraries: Tripbot provides custom itineraries based on user's interests, budget, and time constraints.
• Real-Time Recommendations: The tool offers real-time suggestions as users roam around unknown locales, enhancing their travel experience.
• Fast Responses: Tripbot provides quick and relevant responses to users, allowing them to gain crucial insight for planning their trips.

Our Take: Tripbot is an excellent tool for travelers who value real-time recommendations and quick responses. It makes travel planning a quick and hassle-free process.

7. IPlan.ai

IPlan.ai is an AI platform that generates personalized itineraries based on user's interests in a matter of seconds.

• Personalized Itineraries: IPlan.ai provides custom itineraries based on user's interests, budget, and time constraints.
• Easy to Use: The tool features a user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to plan their trips.
• Cross-Platform: Apart from using it on the web, IPlan.ai is also available on Android and iOS devices.

Our Take: IPlan.ai is a versatile tool that offers personalized itineraries and cross-platform compatibility. Its user-friendly interface makes it an excellent choice for all types of travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an AI Travel Assistant?

An AI Travel Assistant is a smart tool that uses artificial intelligence to help you plan your trips. It can generate personalized travel itineraries, provide real-time updates, and even help with booking accommodations and flights.

Why should I use an AI Travel Assistant?

Using an AI Travel Assistant can save you time and effort in planning your trips. It offers personalized recommendations based on your preferences and provides real-time updates, ensuring you have the most accurate information at your fingertips.

How reliable are AI Travel Assistants?

While AI Travel Assistants are highly efficient and accurate, they are not infallible. It's always a good idea to double-check the information they provide, especially when it comes to booking accommodations and flights.

Do AI Travel Assistants replace travel agents?

While AI Travel Assistants can greatly simplify the travel planning process, they do not completely replace the human touch provided by travel agents. They are tools that aid in planning, but final decisions and bookings should always be reviewed by the user.

In conclusion, AI Travel Assistants are paving the way for a new era of travel planning. They offer a seamless, efficient, and personalized travel planning experience, enhancing your overall travel experience.

So, the next time you're planning a trip, consider using one of these advanced tools to make your travel planning process a breeze.

All AI Travel Assistants

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Should I Use a Travel Agent? Our Travel Expert Says It Makes All the Difference.

The new age of travel agents know how to find deals, book off-the-beaten path adventures, and get you out of any jam. Especially if you know who to use.

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I’ve always thought that planning my own trips was the most cost-effective way, but I’ve been hearing more about travel agents making a comeback and saving their clients a lot of money. What kinds of outdoor trips should I turn to a travel agent for, and are there any who specialize in working with adventurers like me?

Technically, I’m a professional traveler. As a journalist, it’s my job to research and connect with locals to get beneath the surface of a destination. So I have never really used travel agents. What could they plan better than I could?

A lot, it turns out. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know many travel specialists, and I consider them magicians. My big aha moment happened two winters ago on a trip to Iceland . A massive storm shut down internal flights for a day, causing me to miss my return flight to the U.S. Normally, I would have spent frustrating hours on hold with the airline. But because I’d paid $65 to have Ana Gloria Garcia, an air-support specialist at the travel agency EmbarkBeyond, find and book the most affordable and convenient flight option for me, she handled the rebookings while I soaked in the Blue Lagoon.

During the pandemic, agents became advocates helping travelers get refunds on canceled flights and trips. As travel has come roaring back, an agent’s superpower is now their access to the best hotel rooms, most in-the-know guides, free amenities, and more, says Cory Hagopian, senior vice president of sales and partnerships for Virtuoso , a global network of travel agencies.

And they’re attracting a young clientele. According to a recent industry survey , 38 percent of millennials and Gen Zers are opting to use travel agents as opposed to booking on their own trips. That number is far greater than Gen Xers and baby boomers, of whom only 12 and 2 percent respectively use agents.

What Do I Gain from Using a Travel Agent?

I recently had a friend tell me she spent close to 40 hours researching a family trip online. She probably could have gleaned the same intel from an hourlong conversation with a travel adviser. Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks for things you might not have considered, says Erika Richter, a spokesperson for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). Their firsthand knowledge, vast network, and on-the-ground connections all combine to provide a unique perspective for crafting the perfect itinerary for you.

Most travel advisers specialize in certain regions and countries and travel to them frequently, so they have up-to-date intel on not only the best safari camps but the perfect tent to book for the most incredible views and the best local restaurants you won’t find on Tripadvisor. They want their client’s trips to go well to keep them coming back, so it’s in their interest to have sussed out hotels and itineraries before they send you out into the world.

Nicole Forster, 29, considers herself a savvy traveler. She’s been to 20-plus countries and enjoys destination research. But when it came to planning her honeymoon in Africa, she felt overwhelmed, so she reached out to Danielle Meyer at Coastline Travel Advisors , which specializes in bespoke itineraries. “Originally, I wanted to go to South Africa, Victoria Falls, and Madagascar,” Forster recalls. “Danielle convinced me that if we wanted to relax, we should stay in South Africa and save the other countries for separate trips.”

Over five phone conversations and multiple emails, they crafted a 15-night itinerary that included Cape Town, the winelands, the Cape Peninsula, and a safari at the Thornybush Game Reserve. Forster established her budget early in the process, and Meyer sent her a variety of lodge options to choose from.

“I initially wanted to start with the safari, but she pointed out that we’d be jet-lagged and would need to wake at sunrise for game drives,” says Forster. “The safari was our highlight, so it was a perfect way to end the trip.”

Not only did Meyer book all of the flights, hotels, and transfers, but she created a detailed, day-by-day trip app for the couple that included useful information like check-in times at hotels and how much to tip guides .

Agents also act as advocates. If something goes wrong during your travels, they’re on call 24/7 to handle it. When Forster left the battery and charger for her camera at a hotel, Meyer arranged for an on-the-ground contact to go to a camera store and buy new ones that would be delivered to her hotel the next day.

The cost for the honeymoon planning: $150 per person. “I wouldn’t use a planner for a trip to Hawaii ,” Forster says, “but if I ever took a big trip like this again, I’d 100 percent work with an expert.”  

When to Consider Using a Travel Agent

For savvy trip planners, the best time to use a travel agent is for complicated international travel. It can save you hours of planning and peace of mind that if anything goes wrong in your chosen far-flung destination, there’s someone a What’sApp message away to handle it.

Domestically, I’d consider using a travel agent when planning a multi-week national park trip or multi-island trip in Hawaii. They will save you time, guarantee you get the best guides, and help you land reservations at always-booked lodges and hotels.

Dream Trips Delivered

Jessica Cook and her husband both work in the travel industry. Decision fatigued, they handed their honeymoon logistics over to the team at Askari Travel , an agency that specializes in South Africa. Their original plan was also an African safari, but just as they were about to put a deposit down, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus made headlines. Worried about getting stuck abroad, they reached out to Askari’s founder, Muriel Truter, who is from Zimbabwe, and upon her advice, changed their focus to South America.

Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks of things you might not even have considered.

Truter suggested they stick to Colombia rather than country-hop. Cook supplied a budget and a wish list: 12 days, no more than three destinations, a barefoot-luxe feel, and adventures like horseback riding and mountain biking. The rest was a surprise that Askari pretty much nailed, with the exception of one hotel.

“Everything felt so authentic, but this one hotel on Barú island felt really fabricated and was full of American tourists,” recalls Cook. She immediately messaged the Askari team, saying, “Hey, this place really isn’t our vibe,” and within an hour they were on a water taxi headed to Blue Apple, a B Corp hotel—and an Outside pick for tropical adventures —on Tierra Bomba island. “It was honestly the best trip we’ve ever taken,” she says.

Are Travel Agents Expensive?

It depends. Cost varies. Some travel agencies won’t charge any fee, as they receive a commission from the bookings, while some high-end agencies will charge pricey annual membership fees for their services. Still others charge nominal “professional” fees starting at $150. Fees often fluctuate based on the length and intricacy of a trip and how far out you do the planning (6 to 12 months is recommended). You may occasionally come across agents who charge a percentage of the total trip price or hourly rates.

Basic travel enquiries are generally free. In 2016, Leah Smith, founder of Tafari Travel , opened an old-school brick-and-mortar location in Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood so her services would feel less intimidating to first-time users. “With our retail-office location, we’ve become part of the community, and both clients and non-clients are welcome to pop in and ask whatever questions they may have, no charge,” she says.

Matt Lindsay, founder of the surf-guiding and travel company LuxSurf Travel , builds relationships with resorts and property owners to get discounted rates that he can then pass on to guests.

Dominic Allan, the founder of Real Latin America , specializes in travel to Belize and Nicaragua and caters to independent travelers who are happy to book their own flights and hotels but are seeking his local intel. Allan’s three-tier pricing structure starts at $300 for up to three hours of phone calls, during which he might weigh in on where to eat (or not to), the best room to request in a certain lodge, or whether you really need a guide to hike.

Value Versus Savings

If you’re just looking for deals and steals, you might not be ready to work with a travel adviser, says Richter of the ASTA. “Anything you invest in with a travel adviser comes back to you in the form of amenities, customer service, peace of mind, better access to unique experiences, and handcrafted itineraries,” she says. “You could save money by cutting your own hair, too, but most people go to someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Agents work with preferred partners who can guarantee perks for clients, such as free upgrades, early check-in or late check-out, and resort credits. Those add-ons often translate into savings, says Justin Huxter, cofounder of the UK-based Cartology Travel . “We had a client go to Maui for a week, and because of our partnership with the resort, breakfast was included,” he says. When breakfast costs $120 for two, that’s a savings of $840.”

Some of the Best Travel Agents in the Adventure World

Some of my go-to resources for finding a person to work with include travel expert Wendy Perrin’s annual Wow List of tried and trusted agents, the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s adviser network , and the ASTA’s advisor directory .

In addition to the agents mentioned throughout this story, others I highly recommend for adventurous travelers include:

• Dan Achber of Trufflepig , for Africa and the Middle East
• Miguel Cunant of Sri Lanka in Style
• Javier Echecopar of Journey Costa Rica
• Daniel Fraser of Smiling Albino , for Southeast Asia
• Elizabeth Gordon of Extraordinary Journeys , for Africa
• Kleon Howe of the Art of Travel , for French Polynesia
• Jay Johnson of Coastline Travel , for Hawaii and California
• Antonello Losito of Southern Visions Travel , for Puglia, Italy
• Rabia Malik of Fora Travel , for general worldwide travel
• Robyn Mark of Mayamaya Travel , for Africa, the Alps, Patagonia, and Japan
• Marisol Mosquera of Aracari , for Peru and Bolivia
• Zach Rabinor of Journey Mexico
• Raluca Spiac of Beyond Dracula , for Romania

Travel-advice columnist Jen Murphy is now a believer in using a travel agent. Thanks to their expertise and connections, she’s avoided dozens of trip catastrophes. 

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