What AI, Social Media, and Influencers Aren’t Telling You — But Your Travel Advisor Wil

Let’s talk about travel inspiration for a second.

 We’re surrounded by it. Instagram reels, TikToks, AI-generated images, perfectly edited hotel photos, and “hidden gem” destinations that somehow everyone has been to. But when you try to go, suddenly theres long travel days, expensive flights, and that beautiful room or destination is nowhere to be found.

 And while I love a good scroll (and a pretty beach) as much as anyone, there’s a big gap between what you see online and what you actually experience when you arrive.

 That gap is where a travel advisor comes in.

Those “Empty” Beaches and Resorts? They’re not always empty, and if they were we would have more questions than answers.

 AI and editing tools are now commonly used to:

• Remove people from photos

• Clean up crowded pools, beaches, and landmarks

• Make destinations look peaceful, quiet, and untouched

In real life, many of those places are busy, especially during peak travel seasons. That doesn’t make them bad destinations, it just means the photo didn’t tell the whole story.

 What I tell my clients is this: the photo might be real, but the timing isn’t. Rainy seasons, sargassum season, shoulder season exist and you should have all of that knowledge and more before you book your next vacation.

 Influencers Are Often Paid (Even When It’s Not Obvious)

This one matters.

 Scroll social media in the middle of summer and you’ll see empty beaches, quiet resorts, and influencers who somehow look completely unbothered by crowds or heat. The reality? Summer is peak season in many hot destinations. Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, and popular coastal areas are often crowded, hot, and fully booked. Influencers make it look effortless because they’re filming at specific times, editing people out, or being given access to quieter areas most travelers won’t see.

 That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t travel in summer, it just means you deserve to know what it actually feels like before you go.

Many influencers are:

• Staying for free

• Paid to promote

• Given upgraded rooms or special access

• Filming spaces most guests won’t ever book

That stunning room you saved?  It may not be the standard room or even available for your dates. I help clients sort out what’s marketing versus what’s realistic, what’s worth upgrading, and what just looks good online.

 Filters Don’t Show You How a Place Feels

A photo won’t tell you:

• If a resort is more party than peaceful

• If the beach is actually swimmable

• If the location is walkable or isolated

• If the room layout works for families

 AI and social media show you how a place looks. I tell you how it actually functions for your trip. That difference matters more than people realize.

 Did you know you that a lot of hotels in the Caribbean will not guarantee bedding (1 king bed and a double sleeper sofa or 2 double beds and a single sleeper sofa for a three-person occupancy room)  or rooms in close location to one another? The fine print matters.

 Where AI Helps and Where It Stops

AI is great for inspiration. It’s great for ideas and dreaming and saving places to a wish list. It’s great for helping you figure out what you want out of your vacation.

 What it doesn’t do:

• Ask about your budget honestly

• Warn you when expectations don’t match reality

• Tell you when something isn’t a good fit

• Advocate for you when plans change

 That human piece? That’s still irreplaceable.

 Why This Is Exactly Where a Travel Advisor Fits

 My job isn’t to plan the most Instagram-worthy trip. I can guarantee your vacation will not look like an influencer’s. 

I recently saw an influencer post pictures of their family vacation with a what you saw versus what was really going on. Kids fighting, dinners being rushed, airlines losing luggage for four days was all left unnoticed by her followers. 

Reality matters and algorithms are actively creating unrealistic expectations and dancing past the point of what a vacation should be: A time to disconnect.

 My goal is to plan the best trip for you and your family. One that takes into account:

• Expectations

• Fits your budget

• Feels good when you’re actually there

• Doesn’t leave you saying, “This looked different online…”

 If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice, filtered photos, or trips that seemed too good to be true, you’re not alone.

 And yes… I’ll always tell you the things AI, Instagram, and influencers won’t.

 If you want honest guidance, real expectations, and someone who plans with your experience in mind that’s where I come in. Let’s get started!