Why Use a Travel Agent in the Age of AI?
A honeymooning couple lands in Cape Town and squeezes in a hike up Table Mountain, followed by a long afternoon in the Winelands. They have a 7 a.m. bush flight the next morning, and they arrive on safari completely exhausted.
A family plans to cross a border, only to find that the crossing they chose has been closed for weeks because of local flooding.
Another family connects the dots from destination to destination, then realizes every property looks and feels the same.
A group of friends plans a bucket-list trip, only to discover that everyone else had the same idea, at exactly the same time and place. The trip feels overwhelming, crowded and ordinary.
What do these experiences have in common? They're real examples of planning mistakes that happen when travelers rely on AI. We love technology and use it at work and in daily life. Still, using it to plan a special, once-in-a-lifetime journey abroad may not be worth the risk.
As travel design experts, we'll admit we have skin in this game. But so do you. When time and money are on the line, the last thing anyone needs is for things to go wrong for no good reason. Just as bad is paying a hefty price for a trip full of unmet expectations. Something felt like a deal, until it wasn't.
A friend once asked me, "What's the major difference between planning a trip with AI and planning it with you?" My answer: AI can't give you the trips we plan. They aren't available through AI or any other software. Today's technology can cough up something doable, and it may even look like it works. But it can't give you a unique, personalized and treasured experience.
Here are the top five reasons to stick with a personal travel advisor the next time you're thinking about going on safari.
1. Client advocacy. You get someone local, in your time zone, whom you know personally. That person can answer specific questions about your trip accurately and advocate for you abroad if something unexpected happens. We make sure every client gets all the pre-trip preparation they need, compiled into a personalized, take-it-with-you itinerary. We also set up a WhatsApp group with our U.S. and Africa teams to handle any needs on the go.
2. Timely, up-to-date information. An agent knows things firsthand that a computer doesn't, and can't. This knowledge comes from years of building relationships, time on the ground and personal experience. It comes from sources software can't reach: the managers on the property, the tribal leaders in the village, the guide in the vehicle. That's a big difference.
3. Personalized trip planning. A computer doesn't really know you. So it doesn't know what works best for you or what's actually available to fit your requests. It doesn't know, understand or care about your health or dietary needs. It also doesn't care whether the properties it recommends impress you. Do you want to feel special on safari and experience the warmth and culture of the region? AI doesn't know. Does the property take part in local conservation efforts or treat its staff ethically? AI doesn't care. What's the one thing you need to know before you land but don't know to ask? Only your agent can tell you that.
4. Trip changes. Want to change your trip midway or add an extension? An agent can connect the dots quickly and accurately, often right up to the last minute, and explain how credits or reimbursements work.
5. Deals and discounts. Many special rates are available only through an agent. You can't find them through online searches or by booking direct. This has always been true, but it's especially true today, with AI and fly-by-night booking sites everywhere.
Simply put, if you plan a trip with AI, you'll never know the trip you missed. Getting to and from a faraway destination is no small undertaking. It takes a lot of time, money and dot-connecting, even for the most budget-friendly trip. So why cut corners and settle for something just so-so? At Andy Biggs Safaris & Custom Travel, we know our stuff better than any computer. We've spent 25 years on the ground, and we know the tour operators, guides, camp managers, seasons, camps, rooms, wildlife and local events. That knowledge makes our trips unique, fully personalized and, above all, safe. Personally, I think it's fun to dream with AI! Just don't stop there. We hope our many years of planning unique adventures in Africa and India speak for themselves.