High Net Worth Travelers Love Their Travel Agents

One out of three high-net-worth travelers uses a travel agent, says a new report from Skift, a travel-industry publisher.

Ten percent of high-net-worth work exclusively with a travel advisor when planning a trip, and 26% use one almost always or often, the 2017 U.S. High-Income Traveler Survey reports.

Conversely, 28% of respondents said they never use a traditional travel agent, and 36% rarely use one.

Over the past 10 years, more agents have focused on luxury travel. Some describe themselves toay as “travel designers,” providing high-touch services including home consultations, and recommending exclusive properties and amenities that online travel agents and others cannot offer.

Skift said it designed and fielded a comprehensive 50-question survey aimed at the top 20% of income earners in the United States. The survey had more than 1,300 responses.