THE NEW ERA OF TRAVEL
WHY TODAY'S SAVVY TRAVELER USES A CURATOR
Let’s debunk the common myth that having a professional travel curator in your life is a luxury. Instead, let's consider that for today's traveler, it's a strategic move in modern life management.
If you're reading this, I know you're a travel lover. Many of you likely pride yourself on your ability to plan and design your own trips, and for good reason...you're a badass at it. The internet, our omnipresent travel companion, along with an abundance of new tech solutions have empowered us in ways we never imagined three decades ago. We've come a long way from the days of brick-and-mortar travel agencies and printed plane tickets.
However, this empowerment has come with its own set of challenges. The travel advisor, once a necessity, gradually shifted into a luxury, called upon for those once-in-a-lifetime group tours or daunting exotic destinations. But let's pause and reassess this in the context of our current, fast-paced lives.
Side Note: Throughout this article, you'll notice I refer to travel professionals as advisors, designers, curators, among other terms. The choice of title varies among professionals but generally signifies a similar role. I often use 'curator' to reflect my approach of distilling information and presenting a curated collection of ideas, and 'designer' because, by trade and at heart, I am a designer. I believe travel needs to be thoughtfully designed to reflect the individuality of each traveler.
INFORMATION OVERWHELM
Inundated with information, from blogs, influencers, OTAs, to hotel directories, the task of planning a trip can be exhausting...I get it, it is for me at times too. Even for the simplest of journeys, the quest to find perfect accommodations (so important!), dining spots, and activities can consume days. This is where working with a travel curator becomes invaluable.
The Discerning Traveler
As you're here on the Good Trips site, I'm guessing you, the discerning traveler, have very particular tastes and preferences. You're someone who values authenticity and seeks local experiences that stand apart from the usual tourist offerings. Style that speaks to you is paramount, and you're conscious about the impact of your travel, preferring to support businesses that responsibly circulate your investment and minimize their environmental footprint.
The essence of a great travel curator lies in their ability to align with your unique qualities, crafting journeys that not only meet but reflect your personality and preferences. Whether it's choosing the perfect hotel that aligns with your spontaneous plans or diving into the details of an end-to-end designed trip experience, a good travel designer focuses on the nuances that matter to you.
The ideal travel curator brings together data, intel, empathy, and an understanding of your desires to create journeys that touch your soul.
If you ever doubt whether anyone can match your specific travel needs, let me challenge that thought. The ideal travel curator for you is one who not only meets but exceeds your expectations for every occasion. They bring together intel, empathy, data and tech, and an understanding of your needs and desires to create journeys that touch your soul. Their selectivity mirrors yours, ensuring every aspect of your trip is tailored to your liking.
For me, the ultimate reward is witnessing the joy and relief on my clients' faces when they realize I truly get them. It's about building trust and allowing them to relax and enjoy the process (and the journey!), confident that they can let go a bit knowing that their travel is in capable hands.
Embracing a travel curator in your life not only enhances your trips but your daily life if you make them your go-to for everything from quick getaways and business trips to retreats for resetting, and significant life journeys.
Embracing a New Perspective
If you haven't worked with a travel curator in the past or only for those monumental trips, I invite you to shift your perception of working with one. In an era where we readily outsource aspects of our lives to experts – be it accountants, pilates instructors, business coaches, or online business managers – adding a travel curator to your life is a logical step. It’s an opportunity to make travel a seamless, enriching part of your life, offloading the time-consuming planning process while bringing you benefits you didn't even know to expect.
The Long-Term Travel Vision
One of the most overlooked aspects of travel planning is the long-term vision. When clients first reach out, it's often for an individual trip they've got coming up (all too often, just around the bend!). A skilled curator doesn’t just plan your next trip; they help you see the beauty in proactively bringing travel into your life...and map out your travel future. They align your travel plans with your personal life and career goals, creating a tapestry of experiences that enrich your personal and professional journey.
OK, so not many curators do this, but it's where we're standing out and travelers are seeing the most positive impact on their lives through travel. And one of the golden aspects of long-term planning is the additional time and headspace it creates.
Valuing Your Time
Consider the hours you spend each year planning your travels. Now, imagine reallocating that time into areas of your life that need your attention more. With a travel curator, you gain time, experience, perks, the joy of travel without the stress of planning, and what I think is most important: headspace.
Time shouldn't be a luxury. Time and rest to do things that nourish you are your right as a human being and will have multi-faceted benefits in your life.
Time shouldn't be a luxury. Time and rest to do things that nourish you are your right as a human being and will have multi-faceted benefits in your life. Challenge yourself to consider the true worth of your time spent on travel planning. Envision turning those hours into unforgettable life experiences.
The New Age of Travel Planning
We are moving into a new age of travel planning, tailored for today’s highly intelligent and informed traveler. Services like those offered by travel advisors aren't just about luxury; they're smart, strategic investments in your life. They bring a level of customization and care to your travels and often new technologies that can keep you organized that transform your trips from ordinary journeys into lifelong memories.
Services like those offered by travel advisors aren't just about luxury; they're smart, strategic investments in your life.
As you think about your future travels, whether they're a dream bubble above your head, planned, pending, or paused due to life's busy pace, reflect on the benefits a travel curator might bring to you. It's an era to rethink travel planning, not as a luxury, but as a crucial resource for today's smart traveler. Regardless of the simplicity or complexity of your trip, consider a travel curator an integral part of your travel equation, adept at crafting experiences that dovetail perfectly with the nuances of your lifestyle.
AN Invitation to Connect
When you're ready to transform how you travel, reach out to us. At Good Trips, we're here to meet you exactly where you are in your travel life. Whether you're a busy professional juggling a hectic schedule, a go-getter that loves travel research but is low on time, a parent managing a household, or just someone who dreams of more meaningful travel experiences, we're here to make travel work for you.
Let us take the reins, crafting journeys that not only fit into your life but also enhance it, turning every trip into an opportunity for growth, resets, and unforgettable memories.
Until then,
🖤 Katy and the GT team
Katy Hoogerwerf
Katy Hoogerwerf, at the forefront of Good Trips, brings a unique blend of design, sustainable travel, holistic health, and business savvy to travel curation. Her approach is about crafting enriching journeys that reflect each traveler's aspirations and lifestyle. Katy excels in aligning trips with personal goals and values, ensuring even the simplest choices, like the perfect accommodation, make a significant impact. With her at the helm, travel transcends mere destinations, becoming a journey of personal growth and memorable experiences.
