5 Things Travel Advisors Can Do in 2025 To Be Successful

Something about the turn of the year offers a feeling of a clean slate. Whether filling out a fresh new calendar or creating a new list of goals to accomplish, a new year means a new chance to reach for the stars. But new accomplishments don’t just fall into your lap. It takes careful planning and the ability to shift gears when needed. If you want to find success this year, here are five things to consider.

Keep an Eye on New Travel Trends

Each year, consumer travel trends seem to change. As we dive into 2025, travel brands are taking a look at what trends came about in 2024 among their travelers and which ones they believe they’ll see throughout the new year. Keeping a close eye on reports and data from travel companies and adjusting marketing strategies based on this data can be crucial to success. Figure out what your clients want this year and offer experiences to meet their needs.

Redefine Personalization

“By 2025, the travel advisor sector will redefine ‘personalized experiences.’ Advisors who don't evolve beyond surface-level ‘intake form communication’ risk obsolescence,” said Jenn Lee, president at Vacation Planners. “Those who shift to meaningful conversations, uncovering clients' deeper desires, will become indispensable. This mirrors the growing comfort with AI-driven interactions, delivering unexpected yet relevant solutions. Successful advisors will differentiate themselves by providing a few, curated recommendations rather than overwhelming options. This evolved personalization, blending human expertise with insightful curation, will be increasingly valuable as consumers seek unique, meaningful travel experiences in an information-saturated world. Adapting to this new paradigm is crucial for advisors to remain relevant and competitive in the future travel landscape.”

Create Efficiencies

I think almost every travel advisor would say there isn’t enough time in a day. According to David Chait, founder & CEO at Travefy, advisors will need to be efficient in order to find growth this year. “2025 will be the year of EFFICIENCY, driving growth for Travel Advisors,” he said. “I believe the rapid expansion of hosted Travel Advisors will continue, with 24 hours in a day being the biggest barrier of growth for these small businesses and solo-preneurs. Given this, I believe the industry will continue to invest in tools and processes that enhance efficiency, from AI that elevates Advisors’ expertise and care to software innovations and the growing role of virtual assistants. I’m excited about what 2025 will bring to the efficient Travel Advisor economy.”

Embrace AI

If you haven’t already done so, the time has come to fully embrace artificial intelligence. “In 2025, we will see the travel industry’s approach to AI shifting from simply streamlining internal processes to strategically enhancing the advisor and customer experience,” said Anderson Hernandez, senior vice president, call centers & operations at ALG Vacations. “AI excels in handling transactional tasks, freeing up customer care teams to focus on more nuanced, human-centered interactions. What’s driving this evolution, though, is the demand from travel advisors — many of whom are ‘digital adopters’ — seeking tools that help them work smarter and serve their clients more effectively. Companies that prioritize AI solutions to empower their call center teams and make advisors’ jobs easier rather than just reduce overhead will see the greatest gains in efficiency, customer satisfaction and long-term loyalty.”

Market To Younger Generations

Younger travelers continue to make an impact in the travel industry. “In 2025, we’ll see more young adults aged 18-35 taking advantage of working holiday programs,” said Denella Ri'chard, host and executive producer of Traveling With Denella Ri'chard. “This experience fosters independence, cultural awareness, language skills and valuable connections. The flexibility of working while traveling makes global exploration more achievable. By moving beyond typical tourism experiences, Generation Z will immerse themselves in local cultures, enhancing both personal and career growth.”

The good thing for you is that these young explorers are turning to travel advisors to book their trips and will continue to do so this year. “In 2025, we expect Gen Z and Millennial travelers to continue seeking guidance from travel advisors at an increased rate,” said Jacki Marks, global head of trade brands at ALG Vacations. “With their desire for immersive experiences and thoughtful approach to planning, younger travelers want to maximize both their time and their budget, recognizing the added value of working with an expert. This shift is partially being driven by a new generation of advisors who have a deep understanding of their peers’ preferences. At ALG Vacations, we will continue to invest in travel advisors, including those who are just starting the journey in the industry, knowing that this group of professionals are helping to shaping the future of travel.”