Travel advisors in the U.S. are overwhelmed and burnt out due to an unsustainable workload, yet they remain happy with their profession, according to a recent survey by TravelAge West and Lush Experiences.
The report aimed to gauge the state of advisors' business and their feelings about their profession compared to the previous year.
Almost half of advisors (46 per cent) report being more overwhelmed than last year, with 29 per cent saying they are suffering burnout. Further, a third (32 per cent) of advisors stated their current workload is unsustainable, while 59 per cent state that clients are more demanding this year than at the same time last year.
“The survey clearly indicates the pressures travel advisors are under due to circumstances beyond their control. These include higher demand, flight cancellations by airlines and the challenges of finding and training qualified employees,” said Lush Experiences co-founder Brad Beaty. “I’ve said repeatedly, as suppliers it is imperative we provide whatever support we can whenever advisors need it.”
Despite the challenges, the survey also found that travel advisors are taking steps to make their jobs more manageable. Over half of the respondents (52 per cent) reported setting boundaries with clients and using various tools to achieve their objectives. The tools commonly implemented include establishing business hours (57 per cent), charging fees (55 per cent), and not sharing personal contact numbers (32 per cent).
“Travel is booming and advisors are on the front lines," said Kenneth Shapiro, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West. "We're seeing that with all the things that can, and do, go wrong on a trip, advisors have more to deal with than ever before. So it's important that they take steps to manage their workload and avoid burnout."
Even in this environment, most U.S. travel advisors said they are content with their profession and the support they receive. Three out of five advisors (61 per cent) said they are happy with their chosen career, and three quarters (76 per cent) felt they were receiving enough support from their work circle and other direct supporters. Additionally, 64 per cent expressed satisfaction with the support they receive from suppliers.
Giuseppe Di Palma, co-founder of Lush Experiences, said, “Our goal is to provide added value to the advisor who can then work more efficiently and accurately with their clients. We strive to be a good partner and that means bringing innovation to the way we work and adapting to the ever-changing environment around us.”
The full report can be accessed here.
