When people think about working with a travel advisor, they often think about the obvious part — choosing a destination, finding flights and hotels, planning excursions and putting all the pieces of a trip together.

But there is another side to being a travel advisor that happens long before a client leaves home.

It involves continuing to learn, staying connected to the travel industry, building relationships and keeping up with what is happening in the world of travel.

That is one of the reasons I was so pleased to attend the Halifax Sales Workshop on August 28.

Getting Out From Behind the Computer

As a travel advisor, so much of my day can be spent researching destinations, working on travel plans, communicating with suppliers and helping clients navigate all the details that go into a trip.

Events like the Halifax Sales Workshop are a great opportunity to step away from the computer and connect with people in the travel industry in person.

I had the opportunity to meet and network with other travel advisors while also connecting with representatives from several travel companies and suppliers.

Those face-to-face conversations are valuable. Travel is constantly changing, and hearing directly from people who work within different areas of the industry provides another perspective on what is happening and what travellers may be looking for.

Conversations About What's Happening in Travel

The workshop provided an opportunity to talk about current travel trends, destinations, products and the changing needs of today's travellers.

Travel isn't simply about knowing which destination is popular. There are constantly new developments, new travel products, changing policies, different ways of experiencing destinations and new options available to travellers.

Being able to have conversations with industry professionals helps me continue building that knowledge.

And sometimes, the most valuable part of an industry event isn't something you can find with a Google search. It's the conversation you have with another travel professional, the question you ask a supplier or the information you learn from someone who works directly with a particular product.

Building Relationships Matters

One of the things I am enjoying most as I continue building my travel business is getting to know the people behind the travel industry.

Relationships matter.

When I am working with a client, I want to be able to draw on more than just information I have found online. I want to continue developing my knowledge of the products and suppliers I work with and understand the experiences I am recommending.

That means attending industry events, meeting suppliers, asking questions, learning from other travel advisors and continuing to expand my own travel knowledge.

The Halifax Sales Workshop was another piece of that journey.

Why This Matters to My Clients

You may never see everything that happens behind the scenes when you work with a travel advisor.

You see the finished itinerary.

You see the flights, accommodations, cruise, tours and experiences that have been arranged for your trip.

But there is a lot that goes into getting there.

For me, being a travel advisor means continuing to learn so that I can help my clients prepare for their journeys — not simply book them.

That is also why I enjoy sharing some of these behind-the-scenes experiences.

Whether I'm attending a travel industry workshop, meeting with suppliers, touring a cruise ship or researching a destination, each experience adds another piece to my knowledge as a travel advisor.

And I am just getting started.

Travel is an industry built on experiences, relationships and constant learning — and I am enjoying every part of the journey.

Interested in planning a trip but not sure where to begin? I'd be happy to help you look at your options and prepare for the journey — not just the destination.