Seeking the Right Advice: Why Expert Guidance Matters

We live in a time where answers are just a quick post away — or so we may think. Whether it’s travel advice, restaurant recommendations or home improvement tips, we’ve grown accustomed to crowdsourcing opinions. While this can sometimes be helpful, it also raises an important question: Are we turning to the right sources for accurate, up-to-date information?

I see this often in the travel industry, even among advisors at Dugan’s Travels. Instead of reaching out to our trusted suppliers — experts who specialize in destinations — some advisors ask general forums or social media groups for booking advice instead. While the responses may be well-intentioned, they often come from people with varying levels of experience, and there’s no guarantee the information is accurate or current.

Why Are We Overlooking Experts?

With information at our fingertips, it’s easy to take the quickest route when looking for answers. Social media makes it convenient to ask a broad audience, and sometimes we get lucky with helpful responses. But when it comes to something as important as planning travel, convenience shouldn’t outweigh credibility.

Travel is constantly evolving — entry requirements change, hotels undergo renovations and tour offerings shift. Suppliers and destination specialists stay on top of these updates because it’s their job to do so. They work directly with properties, tourism boards and travel brands to ensure they have the most current information.

The Value of Working With Experts

As travel advisors, we don’t need to know everything about every destination — but we do need to know where to find the best answers. That’s why our relationships with suppliers and destination specialists are so valuable. They provide:

• Firsthand knowledge from working closely with destinations every day
• The latest updates on policies, pricing and offerings
• Problem-solving support if challenges arise during a trip

At Dugan’s Travels, we encourage advisors to build strong relationships with these resources. Whether it’s a Business Development Manager (BDM), a tour operator or a destination expert, they are there to help us provide the best possible service to our clients.

Choosing Quality Over Convenience

The next time we find ourselves seeking advice, let’s take a moment to consider:

• Am I asking someone who has the right expertise?
• Could a supplier or destination specialist provide better insight?
• Am I making decisions based on facts or just opinions?

By choosing quality over convenience, we not only become better advisors but also build trust with our clients by ensuring they receive the most accurate and reliable travel planning experience. Expert guidance is always within reach — we just have to make the choice to seek it.