Why You Still Need a Travel Advisor in the Age of AI

Angie Brandt
Jun 18
4 min read

We live in a world where almost anything can be outlined by AI, from interpreting your latest medical test results to planning your next vacation. But when it comes to travel, there’s a world of difference between generating an itinerary and curating an experience you’ll never forget. That difference? The human element and the value of working with a real travel advisor.

Why You Still Need a Travel Advisor

Before you trust a once-in-a-lifetime experience to an algorithm, ask yourself what’s really on the line...

As we move faster and crave convenience, we’re also moving away from something essential. In our pursuit of instant gratification, dopamine hits, and bite-sized everything, we’ve begun to rewire our own humanity, drifting toward disconnection and sterile, colorless decision-making. The result? Experiences that are efficient… but forgettable.

I spent years in corporate America mastering the art of long-distance relationships when partnerships were built over phone calls and cross-country flights for one-hour meetings, sealed over late-night dinners and early-morning pow-wows. I learned the art of the pause, of reading the unspoken, of anticipating needs. I learned how to connect beyond the screen.

As AI becomes increasingly entwined with our daily lives, we need to protect the one thing it cannot replicate: human connection. Yes, technology can suggest a destination or generate a list of trending restaurants, but it can’t sense the energy behind your voice when you talk about the trip you’ve been dreaming of for decades. It won’t reroute your journey so you can toast your anniversary in the city where it all began, or push your transfer so you can savor one last sunset.

Do you think AI can call the General Manager of a resort or hotel and say, “They’re coming, please make it special”? Even if it could, it wouldn’t have the weight to make that request meaningful. Me? I’ve likely met that GM at an industry event, shaken their hand, exchanged follow-ups, and personally vouched for my clients each time I send a VIP their way. That relationship carries influence. AI doesn’t

Both Worlds Travel Owner and Luxury Travel Advisor, Angie Brandt, in Norway.

So, Why Work With a Travel Advisor in the Age of AI?

Before you trust a once-in-a-lifetime experience to an algorithm, ask yourself what’s really on the line. A professional travel advisor offers what AI can’t:

Personalized service: Your trip reflects you: your pace, your passions, your dreams.
Insider access: I know the best because I’ve built relationships with them. If I haven’t been there personally, one of my close industry colleagues has. It’s crowdsourcing that works for you.
Real-time support: When something goes wrong, you’ll have a human who knows you and can help.
Time savings: You get hours of your life back, and skip the stress of trying to Google your way to a flawless trip.
Expertise that matters: I’ve walked the hotel corridors. I’ve toured the ships. I’ve asked the hard questions so you don’t have to.
Seamless logistics: From river cruises and luxury expeditions to multi-city land itineraries, I turn overwhelm into a well-paced, thoughtful journey.
Peace of mind: When you book travel with me, you’re never alone. You have a partner who sees the full picture and fills in the gaps AI can’t detect.

This level of care doesn’t come from clicking around online looking for the best deal. It comes from years of building trust with global partners, attending high-level industry events, inspecting ships and hotels firsthand, and traveling extensively. This isn’t a perk, it’s my business budget’s largest line item. Not all travel advisors travel, but I do so I can deliver the insight, access, and confidence my clients expect.

Like any professional service, exceptional travel planning requires time, deep expertise, and meaningful investment behind the scenes. I’m not here to sell you a package, I’m here to design something unforgettable. While some agents focus on transactions and discounts, promoting “free” services, working with Both Worlds Travel means partnering with a strategic advisor. My planning fee reflects the relationships, business investments, and thoughtful care that go into every itinerary, and the elevated experience my clients return for, time and again. This fee reflects the high-touch service, insider access, and logistical expertise that make each trip extraordinary, from the first idea until the final memory.

I specialize in small ship cruising (river, luxury ocean, and expedition), small group tours, and highly personalized land itineraries designed for travelers who value depth, not just distance. This isn’t cookie-cutter travel. This is thoughtful, intentional, and richly layered, just like the people I plan for.

Making this personal? I go there, and I’d be honored to help you go there, too.

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About Us

Both Worlds Travel is a boutique Travel Agency based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, that provides thoughtfully curated, highly elevated travel experiences for affluent travelers. Owner Angie Brandt is an expert at crafting tailor-made itineraries and specializes in small ship cruises and adventure travel.