by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 10:50 AM ET, Tue January 21, 2025
Data backs up the value of professional travel advisors. Research commissioned by Flight Centre Canada indicates just how costly online "DIY" planning can be. The YouGov study surveyed 1,066 Canadians (weighted to reflect the demographics of Canada's population) and found a whopping 1 in 3 may make a costly "critical" error when attempting to make travel plans online and without expert help.
"Online booking can feel like a quick and convenient solution, but our data shows it’s also leading to big travel fails,” says Chadd Andre, Executive Vice President at Flight Centre Canada. “Making a small error—like choosing Sydney, Nova Scotia, instead of Sydney, Australia—can ruin your entire trip. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about getting it right.”
These errors can lead to missed flights and denied boarding and rack up a lot of wasted money. The survey found, perhaps surprisingly, that Gen Z and Millennials, often assumed to be tech-savvy digital natives, were more prone to errors at 42%, compared with their Baby Boomer elders, only 24% of whom reported making critical errors. Men (37%) reported more errors than women (27%).
The top reported errors are:
Flights booked too close together: 13%
Incorrect travel dates: 10%
Missed visa or entry requirements: 9%
Wrong passenger details: 8%
Wrong accommodation: 7%
Wrong destination entirely: 2%
The study also found that 49% of Canadians believe they get the best travel experience with professional assistance.
"Anecdotally, we’re seeing an emerging trend where many travellers research destinations online but confirm their findings with our travel experts in stores," says Andre. "This method marries the convenience of technology with the reliability of human expertise."
Travel advisors aren't just great at reliably booking and helping to plan trips, they are experts at spotting trends. See what some advisors are predicting for 2025: TRAVELSAVERS Canada Advisor Trends: Exotic Destinations, Tailored Experiences.
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