There was a moment, not long ago, when it seemed like everyone would plan every trip themselves. Endless booking sites, a thousand reviews, an itinerary pieced together across twelve open tabs at midnight.
And then something shifted.
Across the luxury travel world, travelers are returning to a very old idea: a real person who knows the places, knows the people on the ground, and builds a journey around you. Industry reports heading into 2027 point to a renewed demand for human trip designers, travelers who want judgment and connection that an algorithm simply can't offer.
As an advisor, I see why every day. Here's what's driving the change, what an advisor actually does, and how to find the right one for you.
What's Changed
Travelers want meaning, not a checklist. Luxury is moving away from excess and toward intention: fewer stops, longer stays, and experiences with real depth. That kind of trip is hard to build from a search bar. It takes someone who knows that the quiet guesthouse beats the famous hotel, or that one extra night changes everything.
The best places book up early. Many top lodges, expedition ships and small camps now fill 18 to 24 months ahead. An advisor knows when space opens, which rooms to request, and how to hold a spot while you decide.
Privacy and space matter more than ever. Travelers are steering away from crowded hotspots and toward places that feel personal. Advisors know the lesser-known corners, the right time of day to visit, and the smaller properties that never make the viral lists.
Trips are more complex. A safari with bush flights, a polar expedition, or a multigenerational family trip has a lot of moving parts. One missed connection can unravel the whole journey, and having someone who sees the full picture makes all the difference.
First light on a game drive.
What a Travel Advisor Actually Does
A great advisor does far more than book flights and hotels. Here's what working with me looks like:
A journey built around you. We start with a conversation about what draws you to a place, how you like to travel, and what you want to feel when you come home. Every itinerary is designed from scratch.
Insider knowledge. I work with trusted local partners around the world who know the best guides, the right camps and the experiences that never appear online.
Perks you can't book yourself. Through my Virtuoso and partner relationships, clients often receive extras like room upgrades, daily breakfast, resort credits and priority treatment when available.
Every detail handled. Restaurant reservations, museum tickets, private guides, transfers and suggestions for your free time, all woven into one seamless plan.
Support while you're away. On far-flung trips, you'll have 24/7 on-the-ground support through trusted local partners, so help is always a call away.
One person who knows your story. When plans change, you have someone to call who already knows every piece of your trip.
How Travel Advisors Are Paid
One of the most common questions I hear is whether an advisor costs more. The answer is usually simpler than people expect.
Most advisors earn a commission from the hotels, lodges, cruise lines and tour partners they book, which is already built into the price you'd pay anywhere. Many also charge a planning fee for the time it takes to design a fully custom journey.
At Tern & Meridian, I keep it transparent. Every trip begins with a $100 planning fee, which is applied toward a design and management fee. That fee depends on how involved your journey is, and I'll always share it with you before anything is booked, so there are never any surprises.
In return, you gain hours of your time back, access to perks and expertise, and the peace of mind of knowing someone has your back from the first conversation to the moment you're home.
The kind of room that’s hard to find from a search bar.
How to Choose the Right Advisor
Every advisor is different, so a few questions go a long way:
Who will I work with? Look for one person who stays with you from the first call to your return home.
What do you specialize in? Choose someone whose passions match the trip you're dreaming of, whether that's wildlife, expeditions, food or culture.
Who supports me on the ground? Ask who you call if a flight is canceled or plans change mid-trip.
How do you charge? A good advisor will explain their fees clearly and up front.
Can I see a sample itinerary? Then ask for a change or two. How they respond tells you a lot.
Let's Plan Something Extraordinary
I founded Tern & Meridian to help travelers feel truly connected to the places they visit, and to come home changed. From wildlife safaris and polar expeditions to culinary trips, journeys through Patagonia and everywhere in between, every trip I design starts with you.
Based in Atlanta and planning journeys around the world, I'd love to hear where you're dreaming of going.
Book a complimentary consultation and let's start planning!
