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The Most Overlooked Step in Trip Planning

The Most Overlooked Step in Trip Planning

And Why It Matters More Than You Think

Jessie Crooks
By
Jessie Crooks
10 July 2025
3
minutes read

Most people think trip planning starts when a client says, “I’m ready to book.”
But if you’re a travel advisor, you know the process starts long before that.

The truth is, one of the most overlooked steps in the planning process is the very first one: organizing your own ideas, inspiration, and supplier relationships before a client even comes knocking.

We’re not talking about a full itinerary. We’re talking about the brainstorm phase—the endless stream of ideas you collect from conferences, FAM trips, hotel reps, social media, and personal travels.

If those ideas aren’t easy to find when you need them, they’re almost as good as lost.

Why early-stage organization matters:

  • When  you get a client request, you don’t want to spend hours digging through     saved posts, spreadsheets, or emails. Your time MATTERS and if you are  spending too much of it on research, then you aren’t being as efficient as you could be.
       
    • Let me say it another way, don’t undervalue yourself! Figure out how much      time you are willing to invest in a trip based on the return you are going to get and set up a system with Ailyak to make sure you aren’t going over that allotted time.
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  • Having your best suppliers and experiences organized in advance allows you to     respond quickly and confidently.
       
    • By using Ailyak to organize, easily share resources with peers, upload lists      from google maps, and make detailed notes, you don’t have to redo your      research for each client-giving you back your time.
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  • You’ll make better recommendations when you can see what you’ve already curated—rather than starting from scratch.
       
    • Your detailed notes, tips from colleagues, feedback from clients, and favorite   concierge teams will all get saved in Ailyak, so you will know which places to recommend to which clients, and can easily filter by your own custom keywords. Have a client that loves modern design and is picky about food? Find the right property for them in minutes instead of hours.  

It’s not just efficient. It’s empowering. Because the more you add to your library and organize the early-stage details, the easier—and more creative—trip planning becomes.

Whether you’re planning a high-end honeymoon or a multi-gen getaway, Ailyak helps you lay the groundwork for unforgettable trips—before your client even knows what to ask for.

Jessie Crooks

Jessie blends years of business leadership with a deep love for meaningful travel. Whether hiking in Nepal or wandering through San Miguel de Allende's quiet streets, she’s always been drawn to the slower side of adventure. Ailyak is her vision brought to life—a space where the journey matters just as much as the destination.

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