Humans of Travel: Recent Episodes
TravelAge West - Hosted by Emma Weissmann
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of Humans of Travel, is running a 10-part mini-series on the 2026 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognize some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
The Trendsetter Awards celebrate outstanding advisors across five unique categories:
- Best Targeted Marketing Idea
- Best Group Booking Effort
- Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
- Saving the Day
- Best Use of Social Media
This episode features Hope Reynolds of Timeless Travel Collective, who was nominated in the Best Targeted Marketing Idea category.
Episode sponsor: Travel Insured International
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Timeless Travel Collective
Timeless Travel Collective on Instagram
TravelAge West Wave Awards
TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Abbey Meyer, travel advisor and CEO of Altitude Travel, spent seven years teaching high school world geography before pivoting to the travel industry. She now runs an agency with a storefront in St. Louis and a team of 22 advisors, and helping them reach their individual business goals has become one of her primary professional objectives.
In this episode, Meyer shares how her travels as a younger person — including a stint as a 6th grade student in Jamaica — influenced her career choices. Listeners will also hear about why she loves solo travel, how she tackles work-life balance as a parent and more.
This episode is sponsored by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Altitude Travel
Altitude Travel on Facebook
Altitude Travel on Instagram
Abbey Meyer on Instagram
Global Travel Marketplace
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Humans of Travel, Captain Heidi Norling shares how a childhood spent sailing with her father in the Stockholm archipelago sparked a lifelong fascination with navigation and the sea.
A graduate of Sweden’s Kalmar Maritime Academy, Norling learned by doing, studying nautical English, celestial navigation, radar communications, safety procedures and more while on ships all around the world. She joined National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions in 2019 as a captain — the first-ever female captain of the fleet, and she’s currently helming National Geographic Resolution, a 138-guest expedition ship.
Women remain a small minority among the world’s sea captains, making Norling a role model for many. Listen in to hear about her daily life on an expedition ship and why she loves the work she does.
This episode is sponsored by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
National Geographic Resolution
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions on Instagram
In Good Company: Captain Heidi Norling
On TravelAge West: Review: Sailing on National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ Islander II
On TravelAge West: What’s on the Horizon for National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of Humans of Travel, is running a 10-part mini-series on the 2026 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognize some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
The Trendsetter Awards celebrate outstanding advisors across five unique categories:
- Best Targeted Marketing Idea
- Best Group Booking Effort
- Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
- Saving the Day
- Best Use of Social Media
This episode features Derek and Amanda Phillips of Island Time Travel, who were nominated in the Best Use of Social Media category.
Episode sponsor: Brendan Vacations
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Island Time Travel on YouTube
Island Time Travel on Facebook
TravelAge West Wave Awards
TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of Humans of Travel, is running a 10-part mini-series on the 2026 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognize some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
The Trendsetter Awards celebrate outstanding advisors across five unique categories:
- Best Targeted Marketing Idea
- Best Group Booking Effort
- Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
- Saving the Day
- Best Use of Social Media
This episode features Katy Caldwell-Cole, founder of Touring Folk, who was nominated in the Saving the Day category.
Episode sponsor: Brendan Vacations
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
TravelAge West Wave Awards
TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards
Also From TravelAge West: In 3 Years, This Travel Advisor Built a $9 Million Business With Just 6 Clients. Here’s How.
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Leigh Barnes is president of the Americas for Intrepid Travel, a small-group tour operator that’s been in business since 1989. Once known as a “social Jedi,” Barnes says he came to the travel industry at the right time and with the right digital skill set. He’s been with Intrepid more than 16 years now, and he’s leading the brand’s expansion in North America.
On this episode of Humans of Travel, Barnes discusses the company’s mission to create positive change through sustainable and meaningful travel, and what that looks like in the U.S. specifically. Barnes also shares his pre-Intrepid path into digital marketing, a formative Everest Base Camp trek that reshaped his worldview and how travel trade sales continue to grow thanks to key partnerships and expanded sales support.
This episode is sponsored byBrendan Vacations.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid’s Travel Agent Hub
Intrepid’s U.S. National Park Tours
Intrepid Active-ism Trips
On TravelAge West: How — and Why — Intrepid Travel Is Working to Protect U.S. National Parks Right Now
On TravelAge West: Intrepid Announces New Partnership With REI
On TravelAge West: Intrepid’s Non-Profit Secures 501(3)(c) Status
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Adam Duckworth, founder and president of Travelmation, has been a Disney fan for as long as he can remember. His parents honeymooned at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World Resort, and Duckworth vacationed at the Florida theme park nearly every year in his youth. As an adult (and a father), a Disney trip remains his preference — he even rented out Grizzly Hall in Magic Kingdom's Frontierland for his 40th birthday celebration. And Disneyland popcorn? He’s a big fan of that, too.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Duckworth talks about all of the above and the launch of Travelmation, a thriving host agency with more than 2,700 travel advisors in its ranks today. With an education background and lots of experience rallying volunteers at his church, Duckworth has been — and continues to be — a cheerleader for so many people. Listen in for insights on leading others, Travelmation sales trends, how the agency supports regional community building and more.
This episode is sponsored by Tourism Cares.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Travelmation
Adam's Favorite First-Class Cookies
On TravelAge West: Meet Gaynel Senka, Travelmation’s First-Ever $4 Million Agent
On TravelAge West: An Inside Look at Travelmation’s First Accessibility Cruise
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Humans of Travel, new host Chelsee Lowe talks with fashion and lifestyle pro Carson Kressley, who is well known from the Emmy-winning television series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, as well as reality competition shows Dancing With the Stars and RuPaul’s Drag Race. Kressley discusses how curiosity and a love of exploration have shaped his life and career, including how a post-college move to New York City led to a job with Ralph Lauren and how a sense of humor has helped him carve his professional path. When he took a risk and joined the original Queer Eye cast, a long television career began. All the while, travel remained a constant passion.
Kressley also looks back on childhood road trips to horse shows and family vacations planned with the help of AAA TripTiks. Today, he hands all the travel planning responsibilities over to travel advisors, and as ALG Vacations’ (ALGV) Travel Advisor Champion — a title he’s held for three consecutive years — he recommends other explorers do the same. ALGV estimates that Kressley has helped the company reach 130 million travelers in the last year, thanks to joint projects such as the “Carson Curates” and “Carson Checks In” social media series, both of which are available on ALGV’s consumer-facing website TravelAdvisorsGetYouThere.com.
This episode is sponsored by Tourism Cares.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Follow Carson Kressley on Instagram
ALG Vacations
TravelAdvisorsGetYouThere.com
Designs by Carson Kressley Via Ballard Designs
Carson Judges on BBQ Brawl
RuPaul’s Drag Race
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this bittersweet episode of Humans of Travel, longtime host Emma Weissmann hands the mic to Chelsee Lowe, Senior Editor of TravelAge West.
A former teacher, Lowe earned a Master of Education degree from UCLA and spent years in the classroom before dedicating her professional life to writing. After beginning with freelance work and a part-time editorial role at TravelAge West, she eventually rejoined the publication full time and found her niche profiling people who shape the travel industry — travel advisors, suppliers and beyond. She discusses her path from teaching to travel journalism and the value of patience and curiosity when uncovering someone’s story.
Midway through the conversation, the tables turn, and Lowe steps into the host role and interviews Weissmann about her time at TravelAge West, growing up in a travel-industry family and the evolution of her career, from a just-out-of-college assistant editor to a respected journalist and beloved industry representative.
Together, they reflect on the power of storytelling, mentorship and meaningful professional relationships. Fans of Weissmann can still catch her on the Trade Secrets podcast, as well as in Travel Weekly, where she is now Features Editor.
This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Trade Secrets Podcast
From TravelAge West:Meet Gaynel Senka, Travelmation’s First-Ever $4 Million Advisor
From TravelAge West: This Travel Advisor Plans Literary Tours for Women — Here’s Why, and How It’s Going
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Chelsee Lowe is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She’s an avid reader, writer, interviewer and traveler. Los Angeles is her home base.
The TravelAge West team also produces travel industry events, including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hey everyone, it's Emma Weissmann, the host of Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series from Humans of Travel. This Hot Seat episode features Sarah Little, senior vice president of business development for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).
Little has spent most of her career at ASTA fostering meaningful industry partnerships. Recently, she was honored as the godmother of AmaWaterways’ newest ship, AmaSophia. She attended the ASTA River Cruise Expo in March to participate in the vessel’s christening.
In this episode, Little reflects on the unexpected phone call that marked this major career milestone and shares recommendations for advisors looking to grow their river cruise business.
This episode is sponsored by the AmaWaterways.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
ASTA
AmaWaterways
From TravelAge West: ASTA River Cruise Expo 2026
Contact Sarah Little: slittle@asta.org
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hey everyone, it's Emma Weissmann, the host of Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series from Humans of Travel. This Hot Seat episode features travel advisor Natalia Yepes, owner of Adventuresque Travel Boutique.
As a former flight attendant for both American Airlines and United Airlines, Yepes is skilled in the art of handling difficult, sometimes dangerous situations, and navigating through them with ease and a sense of calm.
During this episode, she shares how her training has translated to her role as a travel advisor, and offers advice to fellow agents on how to manage their own crises in business.
This episode is sponsored by the AmaWaterways.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Future Leaders in Travel
Yepes on Instagram
Adventuresque Travel Boutique
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melissa Krueger, CEO of Classic Vacations, has dedicated 30+ years to the travel industry. Serendipitously, her very first job in travel was with a French hotel group, where she regularly worked with travel advisors. Krueger quickly recognized that personal connections were far more important than product, and she brought that line of thinking to future roles in wholesale travel before moving to Classic Vacations.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Krueger reflects on the lessons that have shaped her as a leader, including building the right inner circle, being the kind of champion for others that you’d want for yourself and learning from the “scripts,” or examples, of others.
Krueger also outlines Classic’s cultural pillars and discusses making career advancement moves to fit life stages. She also explains Classic’s ownership evolution, up to its recent acquisition by TBO, and previews the company’s continued digital transformation. Even with forward motion on the tech side, Krueger says that “trust, time and humanity” are and will remain foundational to Classic and the travel advisors it serves.
This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Classic Vacations
From TravelAge West: Classic Vacations to Be Acquired by TBO, an Indian Tech Company
Contact Krueger: officeoftheceo@classicvacations.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Archy Arushanyan, senior director of national field sales for the Globus Family of Brands, left Ukraine at 18 years old with limited English skills and just $35 in his pocket. That risk surely paid off; after beginning his career in travel as an agent for Escape Travel, he steadily rose into leadership roles, including 20 years with Liberty Travel and GoGo Vacations before joining the Globus Family of Brands.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Arushanyan shares more about his career trajectory, reflects on what sets Globus apart in the tour operator space and speaks to the evolution of touring. He also reflects on recent challenges (including during the COVID-19 pandemic), offers insight into the supplier-advisor relationship and shares why agents are central to the company’s success.
This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Globus Family of Brands
Globus Family Partners (Travel Agent Portal)
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marc Kazlauskas, the new president of Norwegian Cruise Line, has long shown the instincts of a natural-born leader. He worked two jobs throughout high school — including a memorable stint caring for the seals and penguins at the New York Aquarium, which left a lasting impression on his guidance counselor — and has since built a wide-ranging career across the travel industry, spanning the hotel, cruise and retail travel sectors.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will hear about Kazlauskas’ introduction to travel through a French travel agency, as well as his career path, which includes roles at Jolly Hotels, Avoya Travel and Chase Travel Group, among others.
Now at the helm of Norwegian Cruise Line, Kazlauskas shares his vision for strengthening the brand’s luxury and family offerings, from private island enhancements to the debut of new ships such as Norwegian Luna and Norwegian Aura. He also discusses NCL’s decision to eliminate non-commissionable fares, and underscores the company’s continued commitment to travel advisors.
This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Norwegian Cruise Line
From TravelAge West: Norwegian Cruise Line Permanently Removes NCFs
Contact Kazlauskas: mkazlauskas@ncl.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hey everyone, it's Emma Weissmann, the host of Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series from Humans of Travel. This Hot Seat episode is a little different from our normal format; today, I've invited on Mindy Poder, Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West, to share some information on the upcoming TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which honor top travel advisors.
Nominations for the awards open in one week, on Feb. 2, and the application period runs until mid-March, with finalists announced in early April. Advisors can self-nominate, or nominate their peers.
During this episode, Poder and I will share more about the five individual categories we're judging (Upward Bound, Rockstar Advisor Under 40, Saving the Day, Best Use of Social Media, Best Targeted Marketing Idea and Best Group Booking Effort) and we'll offer some tips on making your application stand out. We'll also share some application red flags we look out for, and share more about the winners' prizes (think: travel prizes, attendance at the WAVE Awards Gala in LA, a feature in TravelAge West and more!)
This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Access the application for The TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards
Contact TravelAge West editors with any questions: letters@travelagewest.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Andrea Wright is a natural-born salesperson. As the daughter of a single mother who built her own multimillion-dollar corporate travel agency from the ground up, she spent much of her childhood attending travel conferences, conducting fake “business meetings” in front of the mirror and dreaming about a life in the boardroom. Her strong business sense and extraverted personality kickstarted a successful travel industry career, first at Club Med, then Playa Hotels & Resorts and, finally, as the vice president of luxury sales and trade partnerships for Opulence, the new luxury division of host agency Outside Agents.
During this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will hear Wright reflect on her decades-long career in travel, including how her mother impacted her career and why she decided to spearhead Outside Agents’ new luxury division. In the second half of the episode, she'll reflect on one of the most profound experiences she's had, to date – suffering a brain aneurysm back in February 2025. Thanks to the swift response of those around her, Wright is now healthy — she did, however, walk away with about $600,000 in medical debt that insurance wouldn't cover. Wright describes how her travel industry peers quickly and generously rallied around her, and how the Family Bonds Foundation (created by John Lovell, formerly of Internova Travel Group) stepped in to cover a substantial amount of the cost.
This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Outside Agents
Opulence, by Outside Agents
Family Bonds Foundation
Contact Wright: Andrea@outsideagents.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As chief revenue officer for WorldVia Travel Network, Joshua Harrell guides travel advisors through the twists and turns of running a business. But his own entrepreneurial journey — including stints in the cosmetics, retail and entertainment industries — wasn’t always easy.
In this episode, Harrell reflects on his early career, sharing the achievements, missteps and lessons learned along the way (ex: “Don’t become a branding expert before making a sale!” and “Don’t abandon an idea the moment it gets tough!”).
Listeners will hear Harrell speak candidly about the excitement and challenges of building and supporting multiple businesses, why mentorship and continuous learning have shaped his leadership style and what it takes to succeed as a travel advisor. He also breaks down the concept of “travel marketeering,” along with WorldVia’s robust suite of support tools designed to help advisors thrive.
This episode is sponsored by Air France - KLM.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Travel Marketeering: A Complete Guide for Starting (or Refreshing) Your Travel Agency
Travel Marketeering Live on YouTube
WorldVia Travel Network
Harrell on Instagram
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hey everyone, it's Emma Weissmann, the host of Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series from Humans of Travel. This Hot Seat episode features Eric Bowman, Editor-in-Chief of TravelPulse.com and host of The TravelPulse Podcast.
During this episode, Bowman will share the origins of TravelPulse's annual 40 Under 40 list, which began in 2024. Listeners will also get a behind-the-scenes look at the application and judging process, plus advice for those who are considering applying for 2026.
This episode is sponsored by Air France-KLM.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
TravelPulse 40 Under 40
The TravelPulse Podcast
Contact Bowman on Instagram: @ericbowman_
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hey everyone, it's Emma Weissmann, the host of Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series from Humans of Travel. This episode features Tom Ho, luxury travel advisor at Protravel International and Global Travel Collection (GTC), who was recently cast in the newest season of "1st Look Presents: Extra Mile Club” on NBC.
During this episode, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at the audition, filming and production process of the reality television show, where GTC advisors compete to win the business of celebrity clients.
Ho's episodes air on Dec. 13 (part one) and Dec. 20 (part two) following Saturday Night Live on NBC, and can be streamed via Peacock and YouTube.
This episode is sponsored by Windstar Cruises.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
1st Look Presents: Extra Mile Club
Protravel International
Global Travel Collection
Contact Ho on Instagram: @ThomsTravel
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, is one of the most well-known entrepreneurs of our time, pioneering ventures in industries including music, telecommunications, banking and, of course, travel and tourism. At present, there are more than 40 Virgin businesses worldwide in more than 30 countries, according to Virgin Group.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Branson shares travel stories from his early childhood, and details his first entrepreneurial journey as the teenage founder of Student Magazine, a publication created in protest of the Vietnam War.
Listeners will also hear the business lessons Branson learned throughout his life, his advice to travel advisors starting their own businesses and how to be adaptive during times of change. Branson also reflects on the creation of his adults-only cruise line, Virgin Voyages, why he decided to enter the cruise industry and how his First Mates (travel advisors) can best sell the line.
This episode is sponsored by Windstar Cruises.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Virgin Group
Virgin Voyages
About Student Magazine
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hey everyone, it's Emma Weissmann, the host of Humans in the Hot Seat. During this episode, you'll hear from Malia Asfour, managing director of the Jordan Tourism Board in North America. Right now, Jordan is — as my friend Brinley Hineman at Travel Weekly says — a casualty of the war next door. The country is coming off of hosting the GX Summit a few weeks ago with G Adventures, and I wanted Malia to come on the podcast to explain what the state of Jordan tourism is right now, how travel advisors can learn more and how they can best educate their clients about the situation on the ground.
This episode is sponsored by Europe Express.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Jordan Tourism Board
Contact JTB: Omar@visitjordan.com, malia@visitjordan.com
Tourism Cares' Meaningful Travel Map of Jordan
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stacey Ray is no ordinary travel advisor. After decades in the health care industry and the loss of her husband, she made a bold career pivot — launching a business designed for women like herself: curious, solo female travelers over 45 who want to see the world and make lasting friendships along the way. Thus, Sisterhood Travels was born.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Ray shares her inspiring career journey, the challenges she’s faced and how she turned those experiences into a thriving community of travelers. The conversation also touches on the importance of succession planning — her daughter, Sami, now serves as Sisterhood’s COO — as well as the nuances of group travel and Ray’s advice for new-to-industry advisors.
This episode is sponsored by Europe Express.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Sisterhood Travels
Email Ray: stacey.ray@sisterhoodtravels.com
Ray's business phone: 910-742-5324
Ray's podcast: Life. Reimagined. with Stacey Ray
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories:
- Best Targeted Marketing Idea
- Best Group Booking Effort
- Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
- Saving the Day
- Best Use of Social Media
Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.
This episode features Kaitlyn Metzler of Travelmation, who is nominated in the Best Group Booking Effort, along with colleagues Kelly Kirk and Aurora Brick.
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Travelmation
Contact Metzler: kaitlynmetzler@travelmation.net
Veterinary CE at Sea on Facebook
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Barbra Merwin, president of Travel Insured International, has more than 30 years of experience in insurance, beginning her career in the claims adjustment department at State Farm Insurance. In this episode of Humans of Travel, Merwin shares her personal journey — from her upbringing in Minnesota to leading a full company transformation and rebrand at TII.
Listeners will hear Merwin’s views on how travel insurance gives travelers much-needed peace of mind — and her vision for how travel protection can elevate the advisor–client relationship. She also reflects on the lessons learned early in her career, and her views on mentorship. Plus, advisors will get the inside scoop on what exactly should be included in a travel insurance policy, and learn more about TI’s travel advisor certification program.
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Travel Insured International
Become a Partner With Travel Insured International
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories:
- Best Targeted Marketing Idea
- Best Group Booking Effort
- Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
- Saving the Day
- Best Use of Social Media
Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.
This episode features Mallory Wheeler of Kingdom Luxe Travel, nominated in the Upward Bound, Rockstar Advisor category.
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Contact Wheeler: mallory@kih-llc.com
Wheeler on Facebook
Kingdom Luxe Travel
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Vanessa McGovern has built her entire career within the travel industry. And earlier this year, she stepped into a new role as senior vice president of partner product, marketing and events at Global Travel Collection (GTC), the luxury arm of Internova Travel Group.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Vanessa shares how she got her start as an art auctioneer onboard cruise ships — a role that taught her the fundamentals of sales, customer service and persuasive storytelling. She also reflects on her experience co-founding Gifted Travel Network, which earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list and quickly became one of the fastest-growing private companies in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Beyond her leadership roles, Vanessa is an educator, industry advocate and strategist. Now, in her position at GTC, she continues to shape the travel advisor community by strengthening partnerships, creating exclusive programs and redefining how luxury travel is curated and delivered.
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Global Travel Collection
Internova Travel Group
Vanessa McGovern on LinkedIn
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories:
- Best Targeted Marketing Idea
- Best Group Booking Effort
- Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
- Saving the Day
- Best Use of Social Media
Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.
This episode features Beci Mahnken of MEI-Travel, nominated in the Best Targeted Marketing Idea category.
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Beci Mahnken on Instagram
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories:
- Best Targeted Marketing Idea
- Best Group Booking Effort
- Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
- Saving the Day
- Best Use of Social Media
Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.
This episode features Katie Brown of Travelmation, nominated in the Best Use of Social Media category.
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Travelmation
Katie Brown on Instagram
Katie's first Humans in the Hot Seat episode
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Steve Smotrys, managing director and senior vice president, commercial for the Americas at HX Expeditions, has decades of experience in the cruise industry — but his first taste of travel came in the form of roadtrips up the California coast. And his first time on a cruise ship? During his senior prom, onboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Smotrys reflects on his career journey, his passion for expedition cruising and how a pandemic-era social media post led him to meet his now-wife, Emmy. He also speaks about the evolution of the 130-year-old HX Expeditions (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions), how the company is redefining what it means to explore remote parts of the world and why travel advisors shouldn’t be afraid to sell expeditions — even to clients who don’t consider themselves “adventurous.”
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
HX Expeditions
Smotrys on LinkedIn
@emmyandstevestravelcravings on Instagram
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories:
- Best Targeted Marketing Idea
- Best Group Booking Effort
- Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
- Saving the Day
- Best Use of Social Media
Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.
This episode features Jackie Waechter of Blissful Vacations, nominated in the Saving the Day category.
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Blissful Vacations
Email Jackie: jackie@blissfulhoneymoons.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories:
- Best Targeted Marketing Idea
- Best Group Booking Effort
- Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
- Saving the Day
- Best Use of Social Media
Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.
This episode features Autumn Trussell-Murray of Abundant Travel - Dream Vacations, nominated in the Saving the Day category.
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Autumn on Instagram: @abundant.travel
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories:
- Best Targeted Marketing Idea
- Best Group Booking Effort
- Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
- Saving the Day
- Best Use of Social Media
Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.
This episode features Jamie Rumpf of Love of the Magic Vacations, nominated in the Best Use of Social Media category.
This episode is sponsored by Lindblad Expeditions - National Geographic.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Jamie Rumpf of Love of the Magic Vacations
Email Jamie: jamie@lotmv.com
Jamie on Instagram
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Anne Marie Brown was born into one of Hawaii’s most iconic hospitality families — the Kelleys of Outrigger Hotels — and got her start in the industry with hands-on internships in nearly every department, from housekeeping and front desk to maintenance and the bell desk.
Today, her path has taken her far beyond the Hawaiian Islands and the hotel world. Brown is now the co-founder of Alpenglow Travel, a luxury travel agency specializing in FIT, small group travel, events and corporate B2B planning.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Brown reflects on her family’s legacy and the lasting impact Outrigger Hotels & Resorts has had on Hawaii’s tourism landscape. She also shares valuable lessons from her background in hospitality, the story behind launching Alpenglow Travel and how her passion for poetry — including her viral piece, "Pretty," written for her daughter — continues to shape the way she sees the world.
This episode is sponsored by Lindblad Expeditions - National Geographic.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts
Alpenglow Travel
Contact: info@alpenglowtravel.com
The viral poem "Pretty"
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories:
- Best Targeted Marketing Idea
- Best Group Booking Effort
- Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
- Saving the Day
- Best Use of Social Media
Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.
This episode features Lisa McCarl of McCarl Travel, nominated in the Best Group Booking Effort category.
This episode is sponsored by Lindblad Expeditions - National Geographic.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Lisa McCarl of McCarl Travel
Email Lisa: lisa.mccarl@gmail.com
Lisa on Facebook and LinkedIn
Lisa's partnership with the National Health Association
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories:
- Best Targeted Marketing Idea
- Best Group Booking Effort
- Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
- Saving the Day
- Best Use of Social Media
Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.
This episode features Sam Johnson of Prescription Travel, nominated in the Upward Bound, Rockstar Advisor Under 40 category.
This episode is sponsored by Lindblad Expeditions - National Geographic.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Sam Johnson of Prescription Travel
Sam's previous Humans in the Hot Seat Episode
Call Sam: (406) 570-9612
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Ken Shapiro, group vice president and editorial director for Northstar Travel Group (the parent company of TravelAge West), speaks with Stephanie Brooks, vice president of product and operations for the Globus family of brands.
Brooks’ passion for travel stems from seeing the power of shared experiences and personal connections, and she shares her own journey from aspiring teacher to tourism executive, shaped by summers spent working at a remote fishing lodge in Canada and an early role at the Banff Visitor Center. She also reflects on her two decades with Globus, including roles in product development, operations and supplier contracting.
Listeners will also hear Brooks’ insights into the misconceptions around escorted touring, as she highlights its modern-day flexibility, comfort and value. She also shares memorable travel experiences in Kenya, Vietnam and Newfoundland, and talks about an exciting new Globus offering in South Africa.
This episode is sponsored by The Globus Family of Brands.
IN THIS EPISODE
00:53 Meet Stephanie Brooks
01:35 Stephanie's Early Career and Influences
01:53 Transition to the Globus Family of Brands
08:59 Insights into Product Development and Operations
14:19 Challenges and Rewards in the Travel Industry
17:26 The Value of Escorted Touring
17:44 Stephanie's Favorite Destinations
25:57 Future Travel Plans and Final Thoughts
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Globus family of brands and www.globusjourneys.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff of the Humans of Travel, is currently running a 10-part mini-series on the 2025 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which recognizes some of the most forward-thinking and impactful travel advisors in the U.S.
Each year, the Trendsetter Awards recognize outstanding travel advisors across five unique categories:
- Best Targeted Marketing Idea
- Best Group Booking Effort
- Upward Bound: Rockstar Advisor Under 40
- Saving the Day
- Best Use of Social Media
Listeners will hear directly from this year's finalists about what makes their work stand out, including the creativity, the dedication, and the stories behind their nomination.
This episode features Jennifer Buck of Love Travel Collection, nominated in the Best Targeted Marketing Category.
This episode is sponsored by The Globus Family of Brands.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Jennifer Buck, Love Travel Collection
Love Travel Collection
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In Part 2 of our conversation with Matthew Upchurch, the chairman and CEO of Virtuoso discusses the transformative challenges that have shaped today’s travel advisor profession.
Listeners will gain insight into how the industry navigated the rise of online travel agencies, the strategic decision behind Virtuoso’s rebranding and the far-reaching influence of mobile technology and social media. Upchurch also speaks about his mission to elevate the role of travel advisors, his evolving definition of luxury and why cross-generational collaboration is vital to the future of the industry.
Listen to Part 1 here.
This episode is sponsored by The Globus Family of Brands.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Virtuoso
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As a second-generation travel industry leader, Matthew Upchurch — chairman and CEO of luxury travel network Virtuoso — offers a unique perspective on how the world of luxury travel has evolved over the past four decades.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, the first of a two-part conversation, Upchurch shares personal stories from his upbringing, the pioneering legacy of his father and the surprising origins of Virtuoso. You'll hear how the concept of a travel advisor collective emerged out of necessity in the post-World War II era, and how early collaborations set the foundation for what Virtuoso is today. Upchurch also reflects on how his perception of travel advisors has evolved throughout his career.
This episode is sponsored by The Globus Family of Brands.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Virtuoso
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today’s episode features Eli Wagner, founder of Wagner Bespoke Travel.
Wagner entered the industry about three years ago, and she has seen tremendous growth since, being named Virtuoso's Rising Star last year and surpassing $1 million in sales. She's also in the process of opening up a physical office in Santa Monica, California.
In this episode, Wagner details what led her to make the decision to open a physical space when so many travel advisors are moving home, and shares the benefits of working in an office with employees -- along with the financial risks involved.
This episode is sponsored by The Globus Family of Brands.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Wagner Bespoke Travel
Wagner Bespoke Travel's Instagram
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Paul Brady didn’t always want to be a journalist. But when he participated in a language-immersion program in Italy between high school and college, he fell in love with travel. Now, he’s the current news director and cruise expert for consumer publication Travel + Leisure.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, we’ll hear about what it’s like to work for one of the most well-known U.S.-based travel magazines today — what makes a compelling story, what a typical day looks like and what it really means when you’re tasked with creating content that needs to appeal to a wide range of travelers.
This episode is sponsored by The Globus Family of Brands.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Travel + LeisureHow to Pitch Travel + Leisure (staff contact information)
Paul Brady’s Instagram
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today’s episode features Susie Flores of Countdown Travels, aka Cruisin' Susie (@cruise_yes_please).
Flores began posting cruise videos to TikTok, and quickly gained traction on the social media platform. Now, she boasts nearly 100,000 followers (along with more than 8,000 on her Instagram) and runs her multimillion-dollar business largely through leads she gets through TikTok.
In this episode, Flores talks about her overall social media strategy (including how to be authentic online) and gives travel advisors tips on how to make social media part of their business model.
This episode is sponsored by The Globus Family of Brands.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Susie on Instagram and TikTok
Countdown Travels
Contact: info@countdowntravels.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today’s episode features John Sutherland, senior director of community impact at Tourism Cares.
Tourism Cares, a nonprofit organization within the travel industry, is dedicated to advancing positive social, environmental and economic impact to help the world's people and places thrive. The organization offers a professional membership for travel agents ($99 per year), along with free tools like the Meaningful Travel Map. They also offer events, education and consulting.
In this episode, Sutherland talks about what it really means to sell "meaningful travel" (and why it's important now, more than ever), and how advisors can engage with Tourism Cares.
Register for Tourism Cares' "How Travel Advisors Are Embracing Sustainable and Impactful Travel," taking place at 12 p.m. Eastern on May 19, 2025.
This episode is sponsored by The Globus Family of Brands.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Tourism Cares
Learning Opportunities for Travel Advisors
Meaningful Travel Map
Meaningful Travel Training
Meaningful Travel Client Checklist
Tourism Cares' Programs and Events
Tourism Cares Sustainable Help Desk Appointments
How Travel Advisors Are Embracing Sustainable and Impactful Travel webinar (on May 19, 2025)
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today’s episode features Asia Lantz, owner of Travel With Asia.
Lantz recently moved to the Phoenix, Arizona area and has an especially unique way of marketing her business. Rather than focusing on garnering leads online, she has built a network of clients within her new community by meeting them during her free time, whether it's in a workout class, by hosting trivia at a local brewery or through tasting wine.
Listeners will hear how Lantz has incorporated her community into local travel events, how she's taken these events and turned them into group bookings and more.
This episode is sponsored by The Globus Family of Brands.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Travel With Asia
Asia's private Facebook Group
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala ad the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today’s episode features Roman Chiporukha, the founder of SpaceVIP, a travel agency for space tourism.
Chiporukha founded SpaceVIP after he sold a $50 million ticket for a passenger to fly onboard Axiom’s Ax-1 mission — the first all-private space mission to the International Space Station. Roman is an advocate for “universal space literacy” and making space exploration more accessible to the private sector.
This episode is sponsored by The Travel Corporation.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
SpaceVIP
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly, and the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When Tom Marchant co-founded the tour operator Black Tomato with two friends, the term “experiential travel” wasn’t even part of the travel zeitgeist.
Now, 20 years later, Marchant and the Black Tomato team remain committed to crafting bespoke, deeply personalized itineraries that feed their clients’ adventurous spirit and insatiable curiosity.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Marchant shares what makes a Black Tomato trip so unique (including the origin story behind the company’s name), how the brand is staying ahead of the tech curve with innovations like its new AI-powered “Feelings Engine” — which suggests travel experiences based on how a user feels — and the impact his entrepreneur father had on his journey. He also reveals the hottest destinations on the horizon for intrepid travelers.
This episode is sponsored by The Travel Corporation.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Black Tomato
The Feelings Engine
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. She's also the Editor-in-Chief of print publication AGENTatHOME.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Travel advisor Kristie Keller of Addicted to Adventures entered the travel industry two years ago. Then, a chance encounter with Amadeus River Cruises' Executive Vice President, Marcus Leskovar, at ASTA's River Cruise Expo soon propelled her to success; since that meeting, she's booked seven groups (with 40-50 people, each) and has skyrocketed to become the No. 1 seller in her host agency, OTN. On this episode, she explains how meeting Leskovar helped pave the way for her sales success, and gives advice to advisors looking to follow in her footsteps.
This episode is sponsored by The Travel Corporation.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Get in touch with Kristie on Facebook
Amadeus River Cruises
OTN (Formerly Oasis Travel Network)
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.
Michael Schottey, the vice president of membership, marketing and communications at the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is the co-host for a brand-new podcast, Travel You Can Trust, with colleague Alvin Adriano. Here, he talks about the ideation for the show, what listeners can expect and how to find new episodes.
This episode is sponsored by The Travel Corporation.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
ASTA
Travel You Can Trust
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.
Today on Humans in the Hot Seat, we are welcoming Katie Brown, a travel advisor with Travelmation. Katie is an award-winning travel advisor; she entered the industry in February, 2020, just prior to the pandemic. In the past five years, Katie has booked over $6 million in travel, has planned trips to over 20 countries and was named as one of TravelAge West's Five Future Leaders to Watch in 2023.
Today, Katie will address a question that's on the minds of many travel advisors: How do you blend personal touch with automation in your workflow?
This episode is sponsored by The Travel Corporation.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Travelmation
Get in Touch With Katie on Instagram: @itskatiejobro
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Most readers of TravelAge West will recognize Mindy Poder's name from the top of the magazine’s masthead. As Editor-in-Chief, Poder oversees everything that happens at the brand, from managing content strategy and editorial mission to working with writers and editors, improving audience engagement and considering the ethical implications of AI use.
In the latest episode of Humans of Travel, Poder discusses her 14+ years at the publication, dispels some myths about being a travel journalist and shares her most embarrassing moments from her award-winning travel journalism career.
This episode is sponsored by The Travel Corporation.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
TravelAge West
Get in Touch With Poder on Instagram (@mindypoder) or via email (mpoder@travelagewest.com).
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces events including Future Leaders in Travel, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Note to listeners: Humans of Travel is on hiatus for the winter, with new, full-length episodes resuming Spring 2025. This is a bonus Humans in the Hot Seat Episode.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.
Angela Hughes, CEO of Trips & Ships Luxury Travel and developer of Luxury Travel University, penned an open letter to the travel industry (below) about what it really takes to get started as a travel advisor, and how to achieve success. Her letter went semi-viral in the industry, was picked up by travel trade media and shared via social media.
Something to consider when launching a travel business, Hughes writes, is that it’s not for everyone, and will necessitate financial and educational investment.
During this Humans in the Hot Seat episode, Hughes takes the mic to reiterate the top points in her letter, including her view that the barrier to entry for travel advisors is too low, clarifying the role of host agencies, and sharing what she looks for when independent contractors join her host agency. She’ll also offer her three-part success plan for new advisors.
This episode is sponsored by The Travel Corporation.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Angela's Open Letter to the Travel Industry (Appearing in Travel Research Online)
“Dear Travel Industry Colleagues & Newcomers,
I pen this open letter in response to concerning tendencies I’ve observed within our sector. It appears that some believe they can effortlessly infiltrate the travel industry with a minimal financial or educational commitment — a misconception that needs urgent correction.
From the onset, let’s be clear: to establish a business as an independent contractor necessitates financial and educational investment. If you’re unwilling to invest in your business, success will likely elude you. The assumption that host agencies will bear the brunt of the financial burden is ill-conceived.
Systems and tools, indispensable to the function of host agencies and independent contractors, carry associated costs. These resources are the bedrock upon which a successful business is built. Moreover, the wealth of relationships that populate our industry cannot be accessed without contributing financially and with time. These relationships are built upon decades of experience and financial commitment. And training also is a fundamental part of our industry, and it is not free. The cost of training is borne by either personal time, agency funds, or vendor marketing funds.
Host agencies are not travel schools; they provide essential resources and a framework to facilitate your success. As an industry professional with a master’s degree in Geography & Travel and Tourism and a host agency owner who has invested significantly in my education and continuing professional development, I can vouch for the value of these investments. We should be requiring more education, marketing skills & business skills in addition to the vendor training. Learning about a brand and product is way different than learning to sell a brand and convert a client.
Host agencies and their travel advisor IC partners benefit remarkably from the considerable financial investments of consortia, which expect growth in return. This symbiotic relationship forms the foundation of our industry.
It’s bewildering to see those who expect support and high earnings without any financial or educational commitment. In addition, this industry is fraught with risk and liability; it requires mutual understanding.
At our agency, the fees we charge offset the considerable expenses that accompany our brand, such as technology, marketing, mentoring, and training. We’re proud to welcome exceptional new advisors who are willing to invest in their professional growth from any industry.
The travel industry is not a playground for experimentation, a retirement plan, or an escape from current careers. We must strive collectively to maintain standards and deter those who seek short-lived exploits. We have dumbed down this industry and it is time for a correction. Have host agencies become like athletic gyms allowing anyone to join the gym in January? Every owner knows that the 80/20 rule is real and that 20% of the advisors are doing 80% of the business. And that is because most advisors are doing a handful of trips at best and many are personal. Harsh I know…but the truth stings.
In my four decades of experience, I have found that the key differentiator between successful advisors and those who falter is their willingness to invest in tools, resources, education, training, and consortia.
Also, your choice of consortium is inconsequential if you fail to utilize its full potential. I learned this lesson the hard way. Success hinges on a robust business development plan, which, unfortunately, most advisors lack.
Creating your “Why” is crucial. Passion for travel or the desire to finance personal trips is not a sufficient driver. You are not just an advisor; you are a business owner.
Success in the travel industry demands a structured business development plan, continuing business education, financial investment, and a considerable time commitment. Familiarize yourself with the potential risks and liabilities because predicaments are inevitable, and preparedness is key.
I extend a warm welcome to all newcomers to the travel industry. Whether your interest is a side hustle, a hobby, or full-time entrepreneurship, ensure that you have the necessary elements in place to navigate this travel road.
Remember, you get what you pay for. Your return on investment will be directly proportionate to your input.”
Trips & Ships Luxury Travel
Luxury Travel University
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Note to listeners: We're currently on hiatus until Spring 2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.
Greg Mortimer, the founder of cruise line Aurora Expeditions, is a pioneer in the adventure and exploration space — he’s traveled to many of the world's most remote and untouched regions, and has led more than 80 expeditions to Antarctica. In 1984, Mortimer made history by being part of the first Australian team to summit Mount Everest via its northeast ridge route without the use of supplemental oxygen, and he’s also summited several other peaks, such as Antarctica's Mount Minto and K2 in Asia.
In 1991, Mortimer founded Aurora Expeditions, which has a fleet of two expedition ships — Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle — and another on the way. During the episode, Mortimer will reflect on some of his most thrilling journeys. Listeners will also hear about his advocacy for environmental conservation and sustainability in the travel industry.
This episode is sponsored by The Travel Corporation.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Aurora Expeditions
About Greg
Mount Minto Documentary: The Loneliest Mountain
From TravelAge West:
Review: Antarctica Onboard Aurora Expeditions' Sylvia Earle
Review: Greg Mortimer from Aurora Expeditions
New ship announcement: Douglas Mawson
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Note to listeners: We're currently on hiatus until Spring 2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.
Veranda Adkins, co-founder of the Association of Black Travel Professionals (ABTP) is passionate about making the travel industry more inclusive.
In addition to helping run ABTP, Adkins is also a travel advisor with Travel Legacy, and prides herself in coaching entrepreneurs and being an influential speaker. Through her personal website, clients can book a multitude of different coaching tools to improve their business needs due to her more than 22 years of experience in the industry.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will hear Adkins reflect on her days as a young girl traveling with her mother before joining the travel industry as a human resources representative for Travel Impressions. She’ll explain how she decided to leave her corporate job behind to become a travel advisor, and what ultimately led her to start ABTP during the pandemic.
Finally, listeners will hear Adkins’ take on the area of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the travel industry, and how industry professionals can put inclusivity at the forefront of their businesses.
This episode is sponsored by The Travel Corporation (TTC).
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
https://verandaadkins.com/events/
https://www.abtprofessionals.org/leadership/
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Note to listeners: We're currently on hiatus until Spring 2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.
Jason Leppert, Cruise Editor for TravelAge West, has a long history onboard cruise ships. From embarking on Crystal Cruises’ inaugural voyage in 1990 to completing his 204th voyage just a few weeks ago, Leppert has spent more time onboard ships — and at sea — than most people do in their lifetime.
And Leppert has turned this passion for cruising into a career. His blog, “Popular Cruising,” has more than 47,000 subscribers on YouTube, and he regularly represents the TravelAge West brand as he reports on the ocean, river and expedition cruise industries, in addition to penning firsthand reviews of cruises.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Leppert details his childhood growing up while cruising with his family, and how his early vacations led him to fall in love with the travel style. He recounts his journeys on more than 200+ cruises, and shares how he makes sure he relays an accurate and honest opinion of the ships he experiences for his readers and viewers. Finally, listeners will hear Leppert’s take on cruising’s sustainability initiatives, as well as how he addresses “cruise skeptics.”
This episode was sponsored by Riverside Luxury Cruises.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Jason Leppert, Cruise Editor at TravelAge West
Popular Cruising on YouTube
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Note to listeners: Humans of Travel is on hiatus for the winter, with new, full-length episodes resuming Spring 2025.
In this episode of Humans of Travel — sponsored by Riverside Luxury Cruises — Ken Shapiro, vice president and editorial director, sits down with Jen Halboth, CEO of Riverside Luxury Cruises, for an honest conversation about her career journey and the evolving world of river cruising.
With her signature energy and passion, Halboth reflects on her dynamic transition from professional sports to the travel industry (yes, she really does have a championship ring), her nearly two-decade tenure at Avalon Waterways and what ultimately led her to take the helm at Riverside. She shares personal insights on leadership, facing new challenges, industry trends and the many lessons she’s learned along the way.
Halboth also delves into the rapid growth of river cruising, what sets Riverside Luxury Cruises apart from the crowd and upcoming developments in store for the company. She offers valuable advice for travel advisors looking to grow their business, along with personal anecdotes about her favorite moments on the rivers.
This episode is sponsored by Riverside Luxury Cruises.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Riverside Luxury Cruises
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Note to listeners: Humans of Travel is on hiatus for the winter, with new, full-length episodes resuming Spring 2025. This is a bonus Humans in the Hot Seat Episode, recorded at SmartFlyer's CORE conference in Lake Louise, Alberta, last month. This episode is released in conjunction with a Trade Secrets episode on email marketing, with SmartFlyer's Kayla Douglas.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.
This week, we are sitting down with Erina Pindar, Managing Partner and COO of luxury travel agency SmartFlyer.
Pindar is a veteran of Humans of Travel – her previous episode was recorded in 2020 with former host Valerie Chen. But for her return to the show, we chat all about what it takes to build a successful brand, beyond colors and fonts. How do brands remain authentic, but not "too perfect?" What was Pindar's goals when she rebranded SmartFlyer years ago? Find out this, and more, during our episode.
This episode is coming out out in conjunction with a new episode of Trade Secrets, a joint production of TravelAge West and Travel Weekly. On that podcast, we will be interviewing SmartFlyer's Kayla Douglas, director of content, about another unique form of branding: e-marketing. Head on over to the Trade Secrets feed for a listen.
Join us next week for an episode with our podcast sponsor, Riverside Luxury Cruises.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
SmartFlyer
Erina Pindar on Humans of Travel in 2020: SmartFlyer's Erina Pindar on How Her Childhood in Asia Shaped Her Worldview, Plus the 411 on Branding
Trade Secrets Podcast
Contact Pindar on Instagram:
@theSmartFlyer
@erinapindar
From TravelAge West: 5 Things We Learned at SmartFlyer's 2025 CORE Conference
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Note to listeners: We're currently on hiatus until Spring 2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.
Alle Pierce is an Emmy award-winning host, travel influencer, river cruise ship Godmother and founder of Gals Abroad Getaways, a travel company that designs group trips for like-minded women.
Before diving into the travel industry, Pierce built a successful career in broadcast journalism as a local news reporter. During this time, she honed her storytelling and public speaking skills, which would later become the foundation for her next venture — helping companies and tourism boards craft compelling brand stories.
On this episode of Humans of Travel, Pierce reflects on her journey from television host to entrepreneur, shares insights from her favorite projects (including a recent role covering the 2024 Paris Olympics), and opens up about how she stays authentic in the fast-paced world of social media. She also delves into the inspiration behind Gals Abroad Getaways, the lessons learned from her travel advisor mother and her vision for the future of her company.
This episode was sponsored by Riverside Luxury Cruises.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Alle Pierce's website and Instagram
Gals Abroad Getaways
Gals Abroad Getaways on Instagram
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Note to listeners: We're currently on hiatus until Spring 2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And this week, we are releasing a new sponsored episode featuring our partners at Collette.
In this sponsored episode of Humans of Travel, host Ken Shapiro, Vice President and Editorial Director of TravelAge West, TravelPulse and TravelPulse Canada, interviews Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, CEO of tour operator Collette. Leibl-Cote, who is only the fourth CEO and first woman to hold the position in the company’s 107-year history, shares insights on what it’s like to lead an iconic travel company.
Listeners will get an inside look at Leibl-Cote’s inspiring career journey, from growing up in a travel-focused family to her current leadership role. She shares personal anecdotes, such as a recent family trip to Africa and what it’s like being a “sports mom,” along with a few reflections on her favorite travel destinations and moments.
The conversation also dives into Collette’s evolution as a leader in group touring, the company’s focus on the modern, culturally curious traveler and how it has become a talent incubator within the travel industry. Leibl-Cote provides valuable insights on upcoming travel trends, tips for travel advisors and what makes group travel special.
This episode is sponsored by Collette.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Collette
From TravelAge West: A Look Into Collette's 100 Years as a Successful Tour Operator (2018)
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Note to listeners: We're currently on hiatus until Spring 2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.
Most members of the travel industry community know Samantha Brown as the host of PBS’ Samantha Brown's Places to Love, a long-running television show that allows viewers to tune in as Brown jets all over the world, showcasing some of the planet’s most fascinating destinations, communities and cultures.
During this episode of Humans of Travel, Brown reflects on her upbringing — her early relationship with travel, and how her interest in theater prepared her for a life in front of the screen. She’ll also share a memorable story about getting to her audition — and ultimately landing the role — for the Travel Channel’s Great Vacation Homes, and reflects on some of the most memorable moments from her career. Finally, listeners will hear about Brown’s focus on sustainability and human connection while traveling, and what she respects most about the travel advisor profession.
This episode is sponsored by the Collette.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Samantha Brown's website
Samantha Brown on Instagram
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Note to listeners: We're currently on hiatus until Spring 2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.
Danny Genung, the owner of Harr Travel, is a former middle school teacher-turned legacy travel advisor and a YouTube influencer in the cruise and resort space operating under the @HarrTravel channel. In addition to selling anywhere from 70-100 cruises per month, Genung is perhaps best known for his onscreen appearances during the cruise ship tour videos he posts daily for his 128,000 subscribers.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Genung speaks on the history of Harr Travel, which was started by his grandfather. Listeners will hear Genung talk about what it was like working with his grandfather at a young age, and how he has developed the business since taking it over. For travel advisors who are interested in learning more about creating videos to level up their businesses, Genung offers advice on tech tools, audience engagement and more.
This episode is sponsored by Collette.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Genung’ s YouTube
From TravelAge West: How a 40-Year-Old Travel Agency Is Achieving Its Best Sales Ever During COVID-19
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Note to listeners: We're currently on hiatus until Spring 2025, but we're replaying some of our favorite episodes each week until we return. And you're listening to one of those "encore" presentations right now.
Three years ago, Henley Vazquez created Fora Travel, a host agency that caters to a select group of new travel agents: part-timers, side-hustlers or even those who are just looking to dip their toes into a career in travel, but don’t know where to start. As a travel advisor herself — and a former staff member at Town and Country Magazine and Indagare — Vazquez says her mission is to bring new blood into the travel industry and support people at every stage of their career.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Vazquez shares the ins and outs of Fora — what she looks for in potential new advisors, why the model is appealing to non-full-time workers and what she says to people who think the barrier to entry for this career should be higher.
This episode is sponsored by Collette.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Fora Travel
Special Code for Humans of Travel Listeners: Foratravel.com/joinus
Application Code: HumansofTravel
Follow Fora on Instagram: @helloFora
Vazquez’s Speedtalking with Fora Podcast, on YouTube:
From TravelAge West
Why Do Travel Agents Have to Chase Their Commissions?
Part-Time Travel Agent? Fora Aims to Professionalize New Agents (and Side-Hustlers)
These Suppliers Pay Travel Agent Commissions On Time
Part-Time Travel Agents Make Up a Third of the Travel Advisor Workforce
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.
Over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the travel advisors named in the "5 Future Leaders to Watch List," the cover story within the October 2024 issue of TravelAge West. All of these travel advisors, attendees of Future Leaders in Travel, were chosen to appear in the cover story to acknowledge their work and their potential to be game-changers in the travel industry.
Today, we're sitting down with Brittany Taylor. Taylor is well-traveled (having visited more than 45 countries), and has embraced mentorship within the travel advising profession, being trained by Shelby Donley, the founder of Camelback Travel. In this episode, Taylor reflects on her success and offers advice to agents who are just getting started.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Camelback Odyssey Travel
Email Taylor: Brittanyt@camelbacktravel.com
Follow Taylor on Instagram @brittanytaylortravel
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
John Diorio has spent his entire career in travel, from the tour operator and wholesale space to Hotels.com and, most recently, Virgin Voyages.
Despite this, Diorio – now the vice president of North American sales for the cruise line — said his relationship with travel didn’t start until he enrolled in travel school at age 19; prior to that, his jaunts consisted of yearly family vacations from his hometown in New York to the Jersey Shore.
But after his very first flight (to Dayton, Ohio, in his early 20s), Diorio was hooked, and he hasn’t looked back since.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Diorio reflects on his professional journey leading up to his role at Virgin Voyages, which included the lessons learned in travel school (which teaches students how to work in every sector of the industry), and some of his favorite memories from his career. He’ll also share his thoughts on mentorship in the travel industry, and what it was like starting with Virgin Voyages three years before the product had officially launched.
Note: This episode is sponsored by Apple Leisure Group Vacations. Humans of Travel will go on a short hiatus; new episodes will return in March 2024.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Virgin Voyages
First Mates website
Brilliant for You Online Sales Guide
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.
Over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the travel advisors named in the "5 Future Leaders to Watch List," the cover story within the October 2024 issue of TravelAge West. All of these travel advisors, attendees of Future Leaders in Travel, were chosen to appear in the cover story to acknowledge their work and their potential to be game-changers in the travel industry.
Today, we're sitting down with Sam Johnson of Prescription Travel, an independent affiliate with Montecito Village Travel. Johnson credits his early success to growing up in Big Sky, Montana, where he held many hospitality jobs and was exposed to the work of travel advisors. Since he became an advisor himself, Johnson's sales have jumped from $100,000 last year to a projected $1.2 million this year. And while many wait to give back, he's already launched an internship program with the University of Georgia, and has coached 12 interns.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Future Leaders in Travel
5 Future Leaders to Watch List, 2024
Prescription Travel
Montecito Village Travel
Email Johnson: Sam@prescriptiontravel.com
Johnson's Instagram
@Presciption Travel (Instagram, Facebook)
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s award-winning podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In 1994, before the home-based travel advisor was a popular career choice in the travel industry, Michelle Fee co-founded Cruise Planners, a franchise travel agency model for home-based professionals, that would grow to become a staple in the industry.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Fee will reflect on what it was like during Cruise Planners’ early days — when the first cohort of advisors comprised only five people — to its present state of supporting and training hundreds of travel advisors on what it takes to open their own businesses.
Listeners will learn more about the franchise model, along with what they may need to know before opening one of their own. Additionally, Fee talks about her initial business challenges; the achievements and highlights of her decades-long career; and her advice for young leaders, especially women.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Cruise Planners
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Grace McBride got her start in the travel industry earlier than most — as an undergraduate at Cornell University. During her sophomore year, McBride worked as a marketing intern for JetBlue, where she helped write marketing and ad copy for the airline. After catching the travel bug, she joined MilesAhead, a travel agency founded by Cornell classmate Rob Karp.
But it was an entrepreneurship class that ultimately gave McBride and her friend, Sarah Peters, the idea for an entirely new travel business: TripKit, an itinerary builder and assistant service for luxury travel advisors (a company that the pair eventually sold in 2022).
In this episode of Humans of Travel, McBride takes listeners along on her entrepreneurial journey, sharing the impact her father — a florist from Long Island — had on her work ethic; the pros and cons of starting two companies while juggling school (and a pandemic); and how travel advisors and suppliers can engage with her newest venture: Lucia, a freelance marketplace for the travel industry.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
From TravelAge West: Lucia Gives Travel Businesses a New Way to Hire Freelance Workers
MilesAhead
TripKit
Lucia
Contact McBride: grace@letslucia.com
Rob Karp on Humans of Travel
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tara Minson refers to InteleTravel, a host agency supporting over 100,000 travel advisors, as the "Goliath" of the travel industry — and with good reason. Not only does the host agency have the largest network of advisors, but she also credits the company with bringing the most new agents into the profession.
Recently promoted to President of the host agency, Minson has deep roots in the travel industry. Her father, an entrepreneur, founded InteleTravel more than 33 years ago, and for the past 17 years, she’s led many of the company’s marketing, programs and communication initiatives. In this episode of Humans of Travel, Minson reflects on her childhood, her strong family ties and how travel has shaped her life from an early age. She also shares valuable lessons from her first boss, speaks on the qualities of leaders, and weighs in on the hot topic of new travel advisors entering the industry.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
InteleTravel
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.
Over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the travel advisors named in the "5 Future Leaders to Watch List," the cover story within the October 2024 issue of TravelAge West. All of these travel advisors, attendees of Future Leaders in Travel, were chosen to appear in the cover story to acknowledge their work and their potential to be game-changers in the travel industry.
Today’s episode features Jessica Brown of Smith Brown Travel, who first learned about travel advising from the audio social media platform Clubhouse. She’s a graduate of Gifted Travel Network’s MBA program and is an advocate for inclusion in the travel industry; her specialty in travel is catering to the needs of Black travelers, single parents and caregivers.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Future Leaders in Travel
5 Future Leaders to Watch List, 2024
SmithBrown Signature Travel (and @SmithBrownTravel on Instagram)
Clubhouse
Gifted Travel Network
Gifted’s Travel MBA Program
Host Agency Reviews
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.
Over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the finalists of the TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which were created to acknowledge the work of exceptional travel advisors. This year, TravelAge West honored travel advisors in five categories, and named a winner and a runner-up and each category.
Today, you’ll hear from the eleventh, and final, travel advisor in this series: Theresa Curbelo, Owner of BucketListTravel.Net, an affiliate of CruisePlanners. Theresa’s targeted sales effort was focused on a first responders’ trip to Dublin, Ireland. As part of her planning, she contacted a tour company in Dublin and created a private tour of the Dublin Fire Brigade Training Facility due to its rich history in Irish firefighting. Curbelo was named runner-up in the category of Best Group Booking Effort.
This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways.
Theresa's Trendsetter award was sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Theresa Curbelo, CruisePlanners
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“I have never been lonely when alone in the wilderness.”
So says J.R. Harris, a worldwide adventure trekker and a member of the prestigious Explorers Club, a global professional society of leaders that have ventured to the farthest reaches of the world, and beyond. (Other notable members include Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, filmmaker James Cameron, former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, astronaut Buzz Aldrin and oceanographer Sylvia Earle.)
Now in his seventies, Harris has no plans to slow down. In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will hear all about his love of solo travel, and his propensity to venture alone to some of the most remote, far-flung locales on the planet. They’ll also hear about Harris’ work as the DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) chair of the Explorers Club, and his role as the founder of the oldest African American-owned research and consulting firm in the country, JRH Marketing Services.
Harris will also share some of his best advice for curious travelers who, like him, were “born restless.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Explorers Club 50
The Explorers Club: Society of Forgotten Explorers
Way Out there: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker
"Born Curious" Documentary
Connect With Harris on Social Media:
www.jrinthewilderness.com
Instagram: @JRintheWilderness
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.
Over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the finalists of the TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which were created to acknowledge the work of exceptional travel advisors. This year, TravelAge West honored travel advisors in five categories, and named a winner and a runner-up and each category.
Today, you’ll hear from the ninth and tenth travel advisor in this series: Jessica Malerman and Nicole Rivera who, along with their colleague Shelby Reyes, organized a Taylor Swift Affinity Cruise setting sail in a couple weeks onboard Allure of the Seas. The Marvelous Mouse Travels' advisors won in the category of Best Group Booking Effort.
This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways.
Jessica and Nicole's Trendsetter award was sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Marvelous Mouse Travels
In My Cruise Era
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Alle Pierce is an Emmy award-winning host, travel influencer, river cruise ship Godmother and founder of Gals Abroad Getaways, a travel company that designs group trips for like-minded women.
Before diving into the travel industry, Pierce built a successful career in broadcast journalism as a local news reporter. During this time, she honed her storytelling and public speaking skills, which would later become the foundation for her next venture — helping companies and tourism boards craft compelling brand stories.
On this episode of Humans of Travel, Pierce reflects on her journey from television host to entrepreneur, shares insights from her favorite projects (including a recent role covering the 2024 Paris Olympics), and opens up about how she stays authentic in the fast-paced world of social media. She also delves into the inspiration behind Gals Abroad Getaways, the lessons learned from her travel advisor mother and her vision for the future of her company.
This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Alle Pierce's website and Instagram
Gals Abroad Getaways
Gals Abroad Getaways on Instagram
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rose Gray, the business relationship director at Fox World Travel, got her start in the travel industry by walking into the agency her family used for their own personal vacations, and convincing them to hire her. At the time, she says that travel advisors were more “order-takers” and less “consultative,” and Gray would spend her days handwriting airline tickets and typing itineraries on a typewriter. She then spent the next 35-plus years in the industry, adapting to various technologies as the profession evolved, all while exploring and embracing new ideas.
Now, as the business relationship director and tour manager at Fox World Travel (the 25th Largest Travel Agency on Travel Weekly’s Power List), Gray still works with other advisors and traveling clients, albeit in a different way. She leads groups of clients all over the world as a tour manager for the agency, and is often found broadcasting her own radio show and podcast from the road.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will hear Gray reflect on her decades in travel; how her female role models helped shape her; how she has embraced new technologies (hello, artificial intelligence!); and her best advice for new-to-industry travel advisors on how to be successful and have a fruitful, long-lasting career.
This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Fox World Travel
Gray's Radio Show and Podcast
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.
Over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the finalists of the TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which were created to acknowledge the work of exceptional travel advisors. This year, TravelAge West honored travel advisors in five categories, and named a winner and a runner-up and each category.
Today, you’ll hear from the eighth travel advisor in this series: Lainey Melnick, the runner-up in the category of Saving the Day. In order to help her clients have their dream wedding in Antarctica, Lainey not only booked their trip, but she found an officiant to sail at the same time and coordinated with Atlas Ocean Voyages so that the wedding could take place on a landing. Ultimately, Lainey saved the day and her clients got their dream wedding.
This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways.
Lainey's Trendsetter award was sponsored by Travel Insured International.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Dream Vacations - Lainey Melnick & Associates
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In addition to being a model, actress and licensed therapist, New Yorker Karmia Berry has always had a love for travel. In 2017, Berry decided to merge this love with her more than 25 years of experience working with youth communities by creating I Am C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D., a nonprofit organization that aims to empower marginalized youth communities through travel experiences, cultural exposure and mentorship.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Berry shares the origin story of I Am C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D (which stands for Confident, Unique, Leading, Tenacious, Unstoppable, Regal, Educated and Daring), and reveals how her past experiences — both as a Black traveler, and through her jobs working with underrepresented populations — and as an employee, has helped inspire the birth of this organization. Listeners will also hear about the various components of I Am C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D’s curriculum (which includes mentorship, personal development, passport sponsorship, and coordinated group trips, among other programs) and how it has influenced high school students in the New York City area. Travel advisors and suppliers will also learn how they can directly help the organization’s mission through fundraising, trip sponsorships and more.
This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
I am C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D. (Confident, Unique, Leading, Tenacious, Unstoppable, Regal, Educated, Daring)
Makeup and Breakup (YouTube), Streaming on a network called Allblk.
Coming to America (Berry’s favorite film)
Berry on Instagram: @Karmiaberry, @iamculturedinc
www.Karmiaberry.com
LinkedIn Karmia Berry
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Executive Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.
Over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the finalists of the TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which were created to acknowledge the work of exceptional travel advisors. This year, TravelAge West honored travel advisors in five categories, and named a winner and a runner-up and each category.
Today, you’ll hear from the seventh travel advisor in this series: Ann DeMers, the winner in the category of Saving the Day. After booking a family vacation on a Disney cruise, Ann got a call from the family saying they had arrived at their hotel in Cocoa Beach the night before the cruise, but they realized they left all of their legal travel documents at their home. Ann saved the day by booking herself on a nonstop flight first thing that Sunday morning from Rochester, New York, rented a car at the Orlando airport, drove to Port Canaveral, and hand-delivered the documents to the customer before their cruise. I hope you enjoy hearing Ann's story.
This episode was sponsored by AmaWaterways.
Ann's Trendsetter award was sponsored by Travel Insured International.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Email Ann: ann@besttravelpartners.com
Dream Vacations/Best Travel Partners
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Veranda Adkins, co-founder of the Association of Black Travel Professionals (ABTP) is passionate about making the travel industry more inclusive.
In addition to helping run ABTP, Adkins is also a travel advisor with Travel Legacy, and prides herself in coaching entrepreneurs and being an influential speaker. Through her personal website, clients can book a multitude of different coaching tools to improve their business needs due to her more than 22 years of experience in the industry.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will hear Adkins reflect on her days as a young girl traveling with her mother before joining the travel industry as a human resources representative for Travel Impressions. She’ll explain how she decided to leave her corporate job behind to become a travel advisor, and what ultimately led her to start ABTP during the pandemic.
Finally, listeners will hear Adkins’ take on the area of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the travel industry, and how industry professionals can put inclusivity at the forefront of their businesses.
This episode is sponsored by AmaWaterways.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
https://verandaadkins.com/events/
https://www.abtprofessionals.org/leadership/
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Executive Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Managing Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.
Over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the finalists of the TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which were created to acknowledge the work of exceptional travel advisors. This year, TravelAge West honored travel advisors in five categories, and named a winner and a runner-up and each category.
Today, you’ll hear from the sixth travel advisor in this series: Kirsten Andrade, the winner in the category of Best Targeted Marketing Idea. After Disney unveiled their Genie+ system, some guests were confused and frustrated. Recognizing a need for more resources, Kirsten leveraged her agency’s expertise to create a solution. Her already popular Facebook group developed the first-ever consumer-facing Genie Masterclass aimed at comprehensively teaching the system, leading to increased sales and new loyal followers.
This episode was sponsored by Allianz Partners.
Kirsten's Trendsetter award was sponsored by Princess Cruises.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Favorite Grampy Travels
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dee Ravenell, a former travel advisor, is now Senior Assistance Coordinator for Allianz Partners.
On this episode of Humans of Travel, Ravenell will share stories of how travel insurance can save the day, what she has learned during her time at Allianz and what travel advisors in particular need to know about travel insurance.
This episode was sponsored by Allianz Partners. It was hosted by Kenneth Shapiro, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Allyz Travel Smart App
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you’ve worked in the travel industry for any length of time, you’re probably familiar with Kristin Karst. The co-owner and executive vice president of river cruise line AmaWaterways, Karst is a staple at most travel industry conferences, perhaps best known for her bubbly personality, welcoming demeanor and close, personal relationships with travel advisors.
However, many travel industry colleagues may not know Karst’s unique backstory. She was born and grew up in Dresden, a German town along the Elbe River, in what was formerly Eastern Germany, under a regime that mostly kept Karst and her family isolated from the Western World.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Karst reflects on a childhood spent under the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, and how the limited travel her family was able to do allowed her to gain an appreciation for all that Eastern Europe had to offer and fostered an early love of tourism.
Karst will also dive into what it was like when the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, and how she got her start in the travel industry as a leisure manager at American Express Travel, a role that she kept until she moved to Southern California and met Rudi Schreiner, her husband-to-be and the former president of Viking Cruises.
Listeners will hear Karst reflect on the early days of AmaWaterways, how she keeps her work-life balance in check and what’s behind her unwavering positivity.
This episode is sponsored by Apple Leisure Group Vacations.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
AmaWaterways' debut in Colombia
TravelAge West’s 2023 WAVE Awards (AmaWaterways took home wins for River Cruise Line with the Highest Client Satisfaction; Best River Cruise Line for Families; and Best River Cruise Line for Luxury.
Get in touch with AmaWaterways:
1-800-626-0126
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Managing Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.
Over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the finalists of the TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which were created to acknowledge the work of exceptional travel advisors. This year, TravelAge West honored travel advisors in five categories, and named a winner and a runner-up and each category.
Today, you’ll hear from the fifth travel advisor in this series: Maurice Smith, the runner-up in the category of Best Targeted Marketing Idea. Maurice created a television segment called ATL & Co. On the Go With Eugene Toriko, which airs on 11Alive’s Atlanta and Company. The segment showcases partner hotels, destinations, and experiences that embody the agency’s mission, which is to inspire travelers to make choices that support environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and positive community impact, elevating awareness around sustainable tourism and encouraging a shift toward more mindful travel.
This episode was sponsored by Allianz Partners.
Maurice's Trendsetter award was sponsored by Princess Cruises.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Maurice's agency website: Eugene Toriko
Eugene Toriko on Instagram
Eugene Toriko on LinkedIn
ATL & Co. On the Go With Eugene Toriko
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jason Leppert, Cruise Editor for TravelAge West, has a long history onboard cruise ships. From embarking on Crystal Cruises’ inaugural voyage in 1990 to completing his 204th voyage just a few weeks ago, Leppert has spent more time onboard ships — and at sea — than most people do in their lifetime.
And Leppert has turned this passion for cruising into a career. His blog, “Popular Cruising,” has more than 47,000 subscribers on YouTube, and he regularly represents the TravelAge West brand as he reports on the ocean, river and expedition cruise industries, in addition to penning firsthand reviews of cruises.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Leppert details his childhood growing up while cruising with his family, and how his early vacations led him to fall in love with the travel style. He recounts his journeys on more than 200+ cruises, and shares how he makes sure he relays an accurate and honest opinion of the ships he experiences for his readers and viewers. Finally, listeners will hear Leppert’s take on cruising’s sustainability initiatives, as well as how he addresses “cruise skeptics.”
This episode was sponsored by Allianz Partners.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Jason Leppert, Cruise Editor at TravelAge West
Popular Cruising on YouTube
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Managing Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.
Over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the finalists of the TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which were created to acknowledge the work of exceptional travel advisors. This year, TravelAge West honored travel advisors in five categories, and named a winner and a runner-up and each category.
Today, you’ll hear from the fourth travel advisor in this series: Lauren Quirk, the runner-up in the category of Best Use of Social Media. Lauren’s agency, Travel With Character, has a truly unique social media strategy. Lauren created a series of travel-related comedy songs for her social media accounts that have original song lyrics and Broadway-style theatrics. By focusing on messages that encourage engagement and brand awareness, her social media accounts for about $500,000 in sales per year. What originally started as acoustic videos played on piano has become professionally produced tracks and music videos.
This episode was sponsored by the Iberostar Resorts.
Lauren's Trendsetter award was sponsored by Sandals Resorts.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Lauren's Social Media: @travelwithcharacter (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook)
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark Wolters was an early social media influencer — he created his YouTube channel, Wolters World, in 2009; since then, he’s uploaded more than 2,300 travel videos and racked up more than 227 million views and nearly 1 million subscribers. In 2014, he was named the No. 1 independent travel videographer by USA Today.
And when Wolters isn’t documenting his travel endeavors on YouTube, he’s a professor of marketing at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Wolters provides a crash course in social media marketing and advises travel businesses looking to build their brand and grow a following online.
Listeners will hear Wolters reflect on his own path to success, why he chose to feature honest travel advice (that shows both the good and the bad sides of traveling), the importance of remaining authentic online and the main challenges that wannabe influencers may face when starting out.
This episode is sponsored by Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Follow Mark Wolters on Social Media
Youtube:
Wolters World
Wolters World Eats
Wolters World Shorts
Professor Wolters
Wolters World on Facebook
Wolters World on Instagram
Wolters World on TikTok
Wolters’ Favorite influencers:
Megan Daily
Rob from Trip Hacks DC
Samuel and Audrey: @thatbackpacker
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is Emma Weissmann, Managing Editor at TravelAge West, and your host.
Over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the finalists of the TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which were created to acknowledge the work of exceptional travel advisors. This year, TravelAge West honored travel advisors in five categories, and named a winner and a runner-up and each category.
Today, you’ll hear from the third travel advisor in this series: Nikki Hendrix, the winner in the category of Best Use of Social Media. Nikki is the founder and CEO of Favorite Grampy Travels. What started out as a small, local Facebook group for Disney fans in Loudoun County, Virginia, blossomed into a network of 10 themed Facebook groups, the largest of which boast memberships of 212,000 and 237,000, each. They offer members interactive online Facebook events with advisors and preferred suppliers and, in turn, can nurture hundreds of relationships with potential clients each week. Today, you’ll hear from Nikki exactly how the Facebook group came about, and her goals in creating it.
This episode was sponsored by the Iberostar Resorts.
Nikki's Trendsetter award was sponsored by Sandals Resorts.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Favorite Grampy Travels
Favorite Grampy Travels on Facebook
Nikki on Facebook
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jenn Lee, the former vice president of industry engagement and support for host agency Travel Planners International (TPI), made her Humans of Travel debut in the podcast’s very first episode in 2020.
Now, she’s making her return to Humans of Travel four years later in her new role as president of Vacation Planners, the just-launched franchise division of TPI.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will hear all about the new Vacation Planners brand, and why franchising can be a desirable option for travel businessowners. We will also dive deeper into what makes Jenn Lee who she is — the choices and the past experiences that have shaped her, including a name change and a childhood defined by constant change. She’ll also reflect on lessons learned as a young mother, and why she believes it’s important to practice forgiveness every day.
This episode was sponsored by the Iberostar Resorts.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
From Travel Weekly: Why Jenn Lee Hates Independent Contractors
Trade Secrets Podcast on Succession Planning for Travel Advisors: So, You Want to Sell Your Business? Here's How
Trade Secrets: Vocabulary episode with Jenn Lee: Travel Advisors, Stop Using These Phrases Right Now
Vacation Planners (launching in October)
Email Jenn: jenn@vacationplanners.com
Jenn on Facebook
Jenn's Fiercely Forward Facebook Group
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello everyone. And welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is the second episode in our TravelAge West Trendsetter series; over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the finalists of the TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which were created to acknowledge the work of exceptional travel advisors. This year, TravelAge West honored travel advisors in five Trendsetter categories, and named a winner and runner-up in each category.
Today, we are speaking with Mary Beth Lynn, who was named the runner-up of the TravelAge West Upward Bound, Rock Star Advisor Under 40 Trendsetter award.
On this episode, we are speaking with Mary Beth Lynn with Your Vacation Plan. Mary Beth created an education course for fellow advisors called Assistants That Work. Through the program, she teaches business owners the processes, systems and methods they can use to grow their businesses. Her program is designed to empower travel advisors to regain control of their time and lives, and she has had more than 3,400 agents sign up for her free Life-Changing Assistants Masterclass. Another advisor said of Mary Beth that “she embodies the community-over-competition model in the travel industry.”
This episode was sponsored by the Iberostar Resorts.
Mary Beth's Trendsetter award was sponsored by Inclusive Collection, Part of World of Hyatt.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Assistants that Work
Mary Beth Lynn of Your Vacation Plan
Email Mary Beth: marybeth@assistantsthatwork.com
Instagram: @assistantsthatwork
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello everyone. And welcome to humans in the hot seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. This is the first episode in our TravelAge West Trendsetter series; over the coming weeks, we will be interviewing the finalists of the TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards, which were created to acknowledge the work of exceptional travel advisors. This year, TravelAge West honored travel advisors in five Trendsetter categories, and named a winner and runner-up in each category.
Today, we are speaking with Jordana Izzo who was named the winner of the TravelAge West Upward Bound, Rock Star Advisor Under 40 Trendsetter award.
Despite her young age, Jordana was recently named Director of Accessible Travel at Travelmation, where she also created the first Accessible Travel Certification for the agency. Jordana also coaches her own team of agents, while still managing a million-dollar book of business. In this episode of Humans in the Hot Seat, Jordana explains her personal connection to accessible travel, and gives tips to advisors looking to broaden their book of business to include accessible travel.
This episode was sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands.
Jordana’s Trendsetter award was sponsored by Inclusive Collection, Part of World of Hyatt.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Jordana Izzo, travel advisor and director of accessible travel at Travelmation
Jordana Izzo’s article in TravelAge West: Community Voices: How I Plan Travel for My Autistic Son
Jordana’s Instagram: @jordanaizzotravel
Email Jordana: jordanaizzo@travelmation.net
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Whitney Shindelar, owner of Undiscovered Sunsets, wears many professional hats: In addition to being a travel advisor, she’s the founder of the Masters in Travel online community of advisors; the host of the Masters in Travel podcast; and the creator of The Hive, a new technology platform that revolutionizes the way knowledge and insights are shared between travel agents.
Prior to becoming an advisor, Shindelar spent much of her 20s living in Shanghai, China, where she taught English before transitioning to work at Le Meridien Shanghai (first in a role within the food and beverage department, and then in Operations Excellence).
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Shindelar describes the lessons she learned while living and working abroad, and what it was like to handle operational challenges in a large luxury hotel. She reflects on making a career switch to travel advising after an especially impactful trip to Germany, and what her early pain points were when she was just starting off as a travel advisor.
Listeners will also hear about Shindelar’s latest venture, The Hive, and learn why she decided to create the Masters in Travel podcast and online community during the pandemic.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Whitney Shindelar on Trade Secrets: How Do I Find My Travel Industry Mentor?
Undiscovered Sunsets
Masters in Travel Podcast
Masters in Travel Online Community
@MastersinTravel on Instagram
@thehive.travel on Instagram
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Most members of the travel industry community know Samantha Brown as the host of PBS’ Samantha Brown's Places to Love, a long-running television show that allows viewers to tune in as Brown jets all over the world, showcasing some of the planet’s most fascinating destinations, communities and cultures.
During this episode of Humans of Travel, Brown reflects on her upbringing — her early relationship with travel, and how her interest in theater prepared her for a life in front of the screen. She’ll also share a memorable story about getting to her audition — and ultimately landing the role — for the Travel Channel’s Great Vacation Homes, and reflects on some of the most memorable moments from her career. Finally, listeners will hear about Brown’s focus on sustainability and human connection while traveling, and what she respects most about the travel advisor profession.
This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Samantha Brown's website
Samantha Brown on Instagram
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello everyone. And welcome to humans in the hot seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today, we're speaking with travel advisor Erica Carr, founder of BookitBox Travel and a member of Gifted Travel Network.
Carr has a unique business model and takes client gifting to the next level — we'll hear all about her creative approach to marketing, and her best piece of marketing advice for travel advisors who are hoping to set themselves apart from the crowd.
This episode was sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands.
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hi everyone, it's Emma Weissman, the host of Humans of Travel from Travel Age West. We've decided to re release a few of our favorite Humans of Travel interviews on the weeks where we aren't dropping new episodes. And you're listening to one of those encore presentations right now.
In addition to being an author, a TedX speaker and a frequent media contributor, Sahara Rose De Vore is the founder of The Travel Coach Network (TCN).
Now, you may be wondering — what is a travel coach? What types of clients do they work with, and what’s the difference between a travel coach and a travel advisor, or a traditional travel agent?
In the latest episode of Humans of Travel, De Vore breaks down the specifics of her travel career. Travel coaches, like De Vore, help individuals or companies — such as tour operators, DMCs, travel agencies or corporate meeting planners — hone in on the psychology of travel, and how they can best alter their marketing or improve their company’s culture based on a human-centric approach, one that takes into account their consumers’ unique mindsets, fears, obstacles, professional goals and unique personal experiences.
In addition to being a travel coach who focuses specifically on wellness, De Vore helps budding travel coaches develop their businesses through TCN and through her Travel Coach Certification Program, an accredited program from the International Coaching Federation.
Listeners will also hear about De Vore’s own travel experiences, which include going solo to 84 countries across the world, and how she pushes herself out of her comfort zone while living with an anxiety disorder.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Travel Coach Network
De Vore on Instagram
The Travel Coach Network on Instagram
De Vore on Linkedin
De Vore on Facebook
The Travel Coach on Facebook
The Travel Coach Network Podcast
Free Beginner's Guide to Travel Coaching
Women Thrive Through Travel MasterFind Virtual Event 2023
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
2:30: Meet Sahara Rose De Vore, a wellness travel coach and the founder of The Travel Coach Network
3:00: What is a travel coach, and who would generally use them?
5:15: De Vore breaks down the differences between a travel coach and a travel advisor.
7:00: De Vore explains the significance of TCN’s accreditation from the International Coaching Federation.
9:25: De Vore shares the most common challenges that travel coaches have when beginning their businesses.
14:09: De Vore reflects on her childhood growing up with a single mom, and how she navigates her public-facing persona as an introvert who is living with anxiety.
18:50: De Vore talks about what it was like traveling solo to 84 countries.
24:00: De Vore speaks on why she hopes to reshape how people view travel.
29:30: As a wellness coach, what trends is De Vore seeing in the wellness space?
32:45: Weissmann asks De Vore a round of rapid-fire questions.
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello everyone, and welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today, we are joined by Dr. Gene Delaune, senior medical consultant for Allianz Travel Insurance.
During this episode, listeners will hear about Dr. Delaune's past as an ER doctor, what it means to be a medical consultant for a travel insurance company, and advice on what to look for in a travel insurance policy.
This episode is sponsored by All-Inclusive By Marriott Bonvoy.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Allianz Travel Insurance
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Greg Mortimer, the founder of cruise line Aurora Expeditions, is a pioneer in the adventure and exploration space — he’s traveled to many of the world's most remote and untouched regions, and has led more than 80 expeditions to Antarctica. In 1984, Mortimer made history by being part of the first Australian team to summit Mount Everest via its northeast ridge route without the use of supplemental oxygen, and he’s also summited several other peaks, such as Antarctica's Mount Minto and K2 in Asia.
In 1991, Mortimer founded Aurora Expeditions, which has a fleet of two expedition ships — Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle — and another on the way. During the episode, Mortimer will reflect on some of his most thrilling journeys. Listeners will also hear about his advocacy for environmental conservation and sustainability in the travel industry.
This episode is sponsored by Marriott Bonvoy.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Aurora Expeditions
About Greg
Mount Minto Documentary: The Loneliest Mountain
From TravelAge West:
Review: Antarctica Onboard Aurora Expeditions' Sylvia Earle
Review: Greg Mortimer from Aurora Expeditions
New ship announcement: Douglas Mawson
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello everyone, and welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat. Today, we are joined by Richard Lebowitz, who oversees a team at Forbes Travel Guide that aims to bring awareness to star-rated hotels across the global luxury travel advisor community.
Lebowitz is no newbie in the travel industry; he’s had over 30 years of experience in travel and hospitality, 25 of them with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts in various leadership positions, including as Regional Vice President of Luxury Lifestyle and Leisure of North America for the global sales office.
He was also Senior Vice President of the Hotel and Resort Program at Signature Travel Network and, at the onset of the pandemic, he took a role as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Sharecare, which is a digital health and wellness company. While at Sharecare, Lebowitz rolled out Verified with Forbes Travel Guide initiative, a health security verification program for the hotel and travel industry.
During this episode, you’ll hear about Forbes Travel Guide’s global rating system for luxury hotels, and the tools available to travel advisors who are sending their clients to these properties. We’ll also touch on The Forbes Travel Guide verification program for advisors.
This episode is sponsored by All Inclusive By Marriott Bonvoy.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Forbes Travel Guide (For more information on award-winners, articles and more)
Travel Advisor Portal
support@forbestravelguide.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kristy Durso, owner of Incredible Memories Travel, is a passionate advocate that everyone should be able to travel, regardless of an individual’s unique disability. A full-time wheelchair user since 2019, she has used her own travel experiences (and those of her husband and three children, who also live with disabilities) to dig deeper into the world of accessible travel.
Now known as an expert in this niche, Durso has made it her goal to educate other travel advisors and inspire and advocate for travelers from every walk of life. In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will hear about Durso’s own journey as the wife of a military veteran and mother to three children living with disabilities; her path toward becoming Miss Wheelchair Texas in 2022; and her views on the accessible travel landscape (including what the industry does right, and what it does very, very wrong).
Listeners will also hear about Durso’s sales process, including the questions she asks clients with accessibility needs, the conversations she has with supplier partners, and the changes she makes to her trip-planning process depending on the type of disability a client has (mobility, cognitive, hearing- or vision-related limitations and more). She also gives advice to other travel advisors who are interested in marketing to clients within the disability community (which encompasses one-fourth of U.S. adults), and the importance of using person-first language and inclusive marketing materials and tactics for reaching this group.
Want to learn more about this travel niche? Check out our Travel Agent Guide for Planning Accessible Travel.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Miss Wheelchair Texas
Incredible Memories Travel
kristy@incrediblememoriestravel.com
Durso on Instagram: @Kristygoes
Durso on Facebook: Kristy Durso
Accessible Travel Network on Facebook
TravelAbility (creator of the Accessibility Playbook)
Durso’s Video with Wheel the World
A recent movie that Durso likes: The Upside
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Join Kenneth Shapiro, Vice President, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West, as he takes the host seat during this sponsored episode of Humans of Travel, featuring Philip Blackwell, vice president of sales and business development for Travel Insured International.
In this episode, Shapiro asks Blackwell about his role as a coach for youth hockey players, including the lessons he's learned from his team, and how these lessons inspire him both in the corporate world and in life in general.
Listeners will also hear about how Blackwell got into the travel industry, how the insurance landscape has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic, and top tips for travel advisors selling insurance policies to their clients.
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Travel Insured International
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Danny Genung, the owner of Harr Travel, is a former middle school teacher-turned legacy travel advisor and a YouTube influencer in the cruise and resort space operating under the @HarrTravel channel. In addition to selling anywhere from 70-100 cruises per month, Genung is perhaps best known for his onscreen appearances during the cruise ship tour videos he posts daily for his 128,000 subscribers.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Genung speaks on the history of Harr Travel, which was started by his grandfather. Listeners will hear Genung talk about what it was like working with his grandfather at a young age, and how he has developed the business since taking it over. For travel advisors who are interested in learning more about creating videos to level up their businesses, Genung offers advice on tech tools, audience engagement and more.
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Genung’ s YouTube
From TravelAge West: How a 40-Year-Old Travel Agency Is Achieving Its Best Sales Ever During COVID-19
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello everyone, and welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of the Humans of Travel podcast.
Today's episode features Julie Patterson, founder of Wanderfully Planned, who gives listeners a crash course in Instagram social media strategy for travel advisors.
Patterson led an educational session on social media last year at the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, and she will take listeners through her process for posting — including how she uses the platform Clickup for planning — how she organizes her content, how she handles social media posting when she’s traveling, and the top mistakes she sees other travel advisors make when posting.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
ClickUp
Patterson on the Masters in Travel podcast
Get in Touch with Patterson: @WanderfullyPlanned on Instagram
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you have any interest in the cruise industry, the chances are you know Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales, trade support and service for Royal Caribbean International. Freed’s career has spanned more than four decades; after spending 29 years at Carnival Cruise Line, she moved over to Royal Caribbean International in 2008.
In her 20s, Freed’s tenacity and ambition propelled her to early success; she was a senior vice president by the time she was 36, and she was named the first female chairperson of Cruise Lines International Association in 1998. Additionally, her deep relationships within the travel advisor community have earned her industry-wide recognition and have cemented her as one of the most well-known executives in the cruise industry.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Freed opens up about her early career and her unconventional path to landing a job at Carnival Cruise Line. She also talks about what it was like to work under the leadership of Bob Dickinson, Carnival’s former president and CEO, who was a mentor to Freed and an advocate for her throughout her career.
Listeners will also hear about Freed’s own views on mentorship (she suggests bypassing a single mentor in favor of a “board of directors”); what she loves about working in sales; and why the title on a business card can sometimes get in the way of forming valuable connections.
Finally, Freed details why she chose to “jump ship” and leave Carnival for a competing cruise line, and she shares a few highlights from her time at Royal Caribbean.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options (JAFCO)
Vicki’s Coffee Talks
Reach Freed via phone: (305) 539-6031
Freed’s email: vfreed@rccl.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello everyone, and welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of the Humans of Travel podcast.
Today, we are speaking with Jessica Klement, the vice president of advocacy for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). There’s no typical day on the Hill for Klement, who spends her time lobbying members of Congress and fighting for the rights of travel advisors across the country. In this episode, Klement will describe ASTA’s top priorities for 2024 – including the FAA reauthorization — and she’ll share some of the benefits of ASTA membership.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA)
Contact ASTA:
Follow on Instagram: @astatraveladvisors
Email: govtaffairs@asta.org
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two years ago, Henley Vazquez created Fora Travel, a host agency that caters to a select group of new travel agents: part-timers, side-hustlers or even those who are just looking to dip their toes into a career in travel, but don’t know where to start. As a travel advisor herself — and a former staff member at Town and Country Magazine and Indagare — Vazquez says her mission is to bring new blood into the travel industry and support people at every stage of their career.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Vazquez shares the ins and outs of Fora — what she looks for in potential new advisors, why the model is appealing to non-full-time workers and what she says to people who think the barrier to entry for this career should be higher.
Listeners will also hear about Vazquez’s own relationship with travel, and what Fora has in the works for 2024.
This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Fora Travel
Special Code for Humans of Travel Listeners: Foratravel.com/joinus
Application Code: HumansofTravel
Follow Fora on Instagram: @helloFora
Vazquez’s Speedtalking with Fora Podcast, on YouTube:
From TravelAge West
Why Do Travel Agents Have to Chase Their Commissions?
Part-Time Travel Agent? Fora Aims to Professionalize New Agents (and Side-Hustlers)
These Suppliers Pay Travel Agent Commissions On Time
Part-Time Travel Agents Make Up a Third of the Travel Advisor Workforce
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello everyone, and welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of the Humans of Travel podcast.
Today, we are speaking with Ashley Taylor, a travel advisor at Key to the World Travel. She talks about her former career as a hospice nurse, and her transition to travel — and she’ll explain what she believes to be the connection between those two professions, in two very different industries. She'll also offer some advice for travel advisors just getting started in the business.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Key to the World Travel
Contact Ashley Taylor:
Follow on Instagram: @Ashleykttw
Email: Ashley.taylor@keytotheworldtravel.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello everyone, and welcome to Season 5 of Humans of Travel. We are kicking off our fifth season with an episode of Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel.
Today’s episode features Karen Coleman-Ostrov, a franchise owner with Dreams Vacations. Coleman-Ostrov took her first cruise more than 30 years ago, and now specializes in cruising and owns a franchise with Dreams Vacations. Here, she’ll explain why she chose to become a franchisee (rather than an agency employee or an independent contractor), and what advisors should know when considering this business model.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Dreams Vacations
From TravelAge West: Which Travel Advisor Model Is the Best Fit for You?
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Award-winning travel photographer Mark Edward Harris has been to an astounding 102 countries — including many that evade the average traveler and, as he puts it, places that are “seldom seen and even lesser understood.”
Many times, Harris is traveling for business, on assignment for publications such as Vanity Fair, LIFE, The New York Times, Newsweek, Time, National Geographic Traveler, Vogue and TravelAge West, among others — and he’s the recipient of many prestigious photography awards for his work.
He’s also the author of several travel photography books, including “Inside Iran,” “North Korea,” “The Way of the Japanese Bath” and, most recently, a book about orangutans called “The People of the Forest.”
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Harris dives into some of his most thrilling adventures, from his time in North Korea and his coverage of the Tokyo Olympics to his experience photographing orangutans for “People of the Forest.” He also reflects on the times when it’s been more appropriate to put down the camera, and how he gets his subjects to trust him. Plus, he offers some advice for succeeding as a travel photographer.
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
1:00 Meet Mark Edward Harris, award-winning travel photographer
2:30: How did Harris get interested in photography, and travel photography specifically?
9:20: Harris gives us the scoop behind the photo on the cover of his book "North Korea."
12:15: It's not all about pressing the shutter, according to Harris.
15:15: Harris talks about the ethics of travel photography — and when it's more appropriate to put the camera down.
22:00: Harris offers advice for wannabe travel photographers.
27:45: What camera/equipment does Harris recommend?
31:00: Harris explains how to best shoot action shots and speaks about his time covering the Tokyo Olympics
35:00: Harris talks about finding stories in his own backyard, rather than going to far-flung locales.
36:30: What’s next for Harris?
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Harris’ Instagram
Harris’ Website
Harris’ Books:
The People of the Forest
The Way of the Japanese Bath
North Korea
South Korea
The Travel Photo Essay: Describing a Journey Through Images
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Since 2004, Shannon Stowell has been at the helm of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) — the largest global network of adventure travel leaders in the industry — which includes tour guides, operators, lodges, advisors, destination management organizations, media and more. He believes that tourism has the potential to be a powerful and protective force – if it’s done right.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Stowell takes listeners on a journey through some of his life’s biggest adventures, from making the natural landscapes of Salida, Colo., his playground as a teenager to taking his first international trip to Fiji and experiencing an especially impactful trip to Kurdistan (in Northern Iraq) a few years ago with his son, Ashton.
Stowell also explains the nuances of the term “adventure travel,” which is defined by the themes of cultural immersion, physical action or natural experiences (or a combination of the three), and how his own definition of adventure travel has shifted due to a recent health scare.
Listeners will also learn about the ATTA’s mission of promoting sustainable travel — including how members of the travel industry can get onboard with this initiative — and the future of the adventure travel segment as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
ATTA: www.adventuretravel.biz
Tomorrow’s Air (permanent carbon recapture subscription): www.tomorrowsair.com
Contact the ATTA: Info@adventuretravel.biz
ATTA’s free community membership program: https://www.adventuretravelnews.com/atta-opens-doors-with-new-free-community-membership-program
Stowell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonstowell/
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Most people in the travel industry have crossed paths with Terry Dale, who has served as the president and CEO of the U.S. Tour Operators Association (also known as USTOA) since 2011. But many may not know that although he currently resides in Brooklyn, N.Y., Dale’s roots are firmly planted in Brooklyn, Iowa, a town of 900 that served as the backdrop for his childhood on the Dale family farm.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will learn about Dale’s early vacations (to Iowa’s State Fair) and his entrance into the travel industry via an entry-level job with Cedar Rapids Tourism in Iowa. They’ll also hear about the career growing pains Dale faced as he hopped between tourism boards in the U.S. (including a tense run-in with the mayor of Providence, R.I.) and how he navigated 9/11 as the executive vice president of NYC & Co.
Finally, Dale will share more information about USTOA’s 50th Anniversary, and how the association and the traditional travel style of touring (what he calls the “T word”) has evolved since he joined the association.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA)
TravelAge West article on USTOA's 50th Anniversary
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome back to Humans of Travel! We’re back from our winter hiatus, and we’re gearing up to bring you a brand-new season featuring conversations from some of the most innovative and inspiring voices in travel.
Our first guest is Beth Santos, the founder of Wanderful, a virtual and in-person community of more than 40,000 women of diverse ages and backgrounds, all connected through their love of travel. Santos has been recognized by Business Insider as one of 17 Changemakers Transforming the Hospitality Industry, and she’s been named as one of 12 Inspiring People to Follow by Conde Nast Traveler.
She’s a self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur and community builder who has set out to disrupt travel for women worldwide, starting Wanderful during her time living off the coast of Western Africa. Since then, it’s morphed into a robust member community with online resources and education, along with chapter events in more than 50 global cities.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Santos gives her take on women’s place in travel planning and decision making, and what society gets wrong about female travel (hint: it doesn’t follow the “Taken narrative”). She also takes listeners through her own journey, from the early days of blogging about Sao Tome and Principe to the evolution of Wanderful and what it offers its community of members.
Know a great Human of Travel who has a compelling story to share? Send us an email at letters@travelagewest.com.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Wanderful
Santos’ website
Santos on LinkedIn
Santos on Instagram: @maximumbeth
Santos’ recent favorite book: The Last Resort
Santos’ podcast: 85%
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Antoine Wilson works six days per week as an air traffic controller at Miami International Airport, where he spends his eight-hour shifts scanning radar and monitoring the South Florida airspace from Miami down to the Florida Keys.
And during his day off, he turns his attention to his second — and third — businesses: advising travel clients with A.D. Elite Travels, and working on the launch of his newest venture, Melanated Safaris.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Wilson shares the ins and outs his three careers, which he embarked on after declining a conditional offer to work with the CIA. Listeners will hear about the formation of A.D. Elite Travels, where Wilson has made it his mission to get passports in the hands of as many youth and minority communities as possible (starting with his younger brother).
They’ll also hear the story of how Wilson decided to dip his toes into the supplier arena. He recently partnered with a Tanzanian-based guide he met on social media to create Melanated Safaris, which he says will offer “the next generation of African safaris,” beginning with this month’s inaugural tour.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
A.D. Elite Travels
Wilson’s Instagram
Melanated Safaris
The Future Leaders in Travel Retreat
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Most travel advisors are familiar with Edyta Teper who, over the course of a nearly 30-year-old career in travel, held positions at Jet Set Tours, Carnival Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, Virtuoso, Virgin Voyages and Travel2. She’s a repeat winner of the TravelAge West WAVE Award for being a favorite sales representative, and now she’s turned her attention to the Last Frontier, joining Space Perspective as head of global sales, trade partnerships.
While there’s no doubt that Teper is beloved by the travel advisor community, many may not know her unique backstory.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Teper reflects on a moment that changed her life forever: The day she left her home in communist Poland at age 10 with her then-28-year-old mother and 3-year-old brother, embarking on a multi-country journey that eventually led her family to Austria, where they sought political asylum.
Listeners will also hear about Teper’s moves to Australia (for high school and college) and Los Angeles, where she took an internship at Jet Set Tours in a move that kickstarted her travel industry career.
Finally, Teper will talk about her latest venture: selling luxury spaceflight experiences with Space Perspective, which brings passengers to the edge of space during a six-hour ride up into the atmosphere in a space balloon. She’ll share some common misconceptions about space travel, and give tips to travel agents who want to sell space tourism to clients.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Space Perspective
Get in Touch With Edyta: edyta@spaceperspective.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Adam Sachs, an award-winning culinary journalist and magazine editor, is the brains behind Silversea Cruises' S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program.
But prior to joining the cruise industry, Sachs graced the masthead of several magazines, from his first gig as a fact-checker for Conde Nast Traveler to his time at GQ and as Editor-in-Chief of Saveur, a food-focused entertainment and culinary travel magazine.
Through his written work, he aims to celebrate the culture of the places he’s visited — and the people he’s met — through the lens of what's on a plate.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, the three-time James Beard award-winning writer reflects on his early career as a foodie journalist and some of the most meaningful stories he’s written, from an around-the-world trip on a single airline ticket to a New Zealand escapade planned completely by the Kiwis he met along the way.
Listeners will also hear Sachs’ take on how the food media landscape has changed, and what he predicts for the future of travel and food journalism.
And finally, Sachs dives into the ins and outs of Silversea’s new S.A.L.T. program, an onboard and onshore deep dive into the culinary culture of a sailing's ports of call.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Silversea Cruises' S.A.L.T. Program
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stephanie Lee, the founder of Host Agency Reviews — what she calls “Yelp for the B2B side of travel" — is a true expert in the host agency sector. Lee spends her days helping connect new travel agents to the resources they need to start their agencies, and gives veteran advisors ways to enhance their professional toolkits, as well.
In addition to running HostAgencyReviews.com, she has an e-newsletter with nearly 15,000 subscribers; she’s the host of the Travel Agent Chatter podcast; and she’s the author of “The Road Map to Becoming a Travel Advisor Course” for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Lee recounts what it was like growing up with interracial parents in rural Minnesota and reflects on the years before Host Agency Reviews — as a teacher in Uganda, and as an activities director for a women’s transitional housing shelter.
Listeners will also hear what went into the making of Host Agency Reviews and the advice Lee has for travel advisors looking to affiliate with a host agency. Lee also shares about one of the biggest challenges to date: a diagnosis that changed her life, and a years-long battle with cryoglobulinemia vasculitis, a rare auto-immune disease.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Host Agency Reviews
Travel Agent Chatter Podcast
The Road Map to Becoming a Travel Advisor Course (ASTA)
Learn More About Cryoglobulinemia Vasculitis
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Charlie Clifford, co-founder of Tumi Luggage and a current director and co-founder of ROAM Luggage, is no newbie to the travel industry.
After all, ever since he created Tumi in the 1970s, he’s spent his days thinking about the business of travel — and what products we, as travelers, need to do it well.
Although he’s no longer at Tumi, Clifford hasn’t left the world of luggage. But his latest venture, ROAM, is decidedly different from its predecessor; rather than featuring the “black-on-black" luggage trend that Tumi is famous for, ROAM puts an emphasis on bright colors, made-in-the-U.S.A. manufacturing and full suitcase customization, even down to the trim, zippers and wheels.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Clifford details his early life, from his upbringing in rural New Jersey to his first international adventure — a two-year term in the Peace Corps in Peru that opened his eyes to the wider world, and eventually sparked the idea for Tumi Luggage.
He'll also give listeners an inside look at the struggles of building a business from the ground up, and how he overcame the challenges in the travel industry (economic recessions, 9/11 and the like) along the way.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
ROAM Luggage
ROAM Luggage on Instagram
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Join Mary Pat Sullivan, executive vice president of marketing and partnerships for TravelAge West, as she takes the host seat during this sponsored episode of Humans of Travel, featuring Jacki Marks, executive vice president of ALG Vacations.
Marks is well-known for her passion, dedication and belief that partnerships and success go hand in hand. She leads a team of more than 250, developing strategies to propel the growth and profitability of ALG Vacations and travel agencies nationwide, with decades of experience in all aspects of leisure travel, including revenue management, marketing, sales support and group travel. Her leadership has been instrumental in providing the industry-leading customer service that ALG Vacations offers advisors and their clients.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Marks reflects on her decades-long career in travel, which began when she responded to a classified ad and took a job at FunJet Vacations 27 years ago. As she says: “I walked through those doors … and never walked out.”
Marks will also share what it takes to balance her work and family life, and why ALG Vacations decided to bring a kindness movement to the travel industry.
This episode is sponsored by Apple Leisure Group Vacations.
Note: Humans of Travel will be on hiatus, with new full-length episodes returning in March 2024. In the meantime, encore presentations will be released weekly.
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
John Diorio has spent his entire career in travel, from the tour operator and wholesale space to Hotels.com and, most recently, Virgin Voyages.
Despite this, Diorio – now the vice president of North American sales for the cruise line — said his relationship with travel didn’t start until he enrolled in travel school at age 19; prior to that, his jaunts consisted of yearly family vacations from his hometown in New York to the Jersey Shore.
But after his very first flight (to Dayton, Ohio, in his early 20s), Diorio was hooked, and he hasn’t looked back since.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Diorio reflects on his professional journey leading up to his role at Virgin Voyages, which included the lessons learned in travel school (which teaches students how to work in every sector of the industry), and some of his favorite memories from his career. He’ll also share his thoughts on mentorship in the travel industry, and what it was like starting with Virgin Voyages three years before the product had officially launched.
Note: This episode is sponsored by Apple Leisure Group Vacations. Humans of Travel will go on a short hiatus; new episodes will return in March 2024.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Virgin Voyages
First Mates website
Brilliant for You Online Sales Guide
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello everyone, and welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today’s episode features Joanne Michaud of Dreams Vacations. After leaving her career as a healthcare executive, Michaud decided to buy a travel franchise in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here, she discusses her decision to enter the travel industry, and how her marketing strategy has evolved to the point where she hasn’t spent a dime on paid advertising (in fact, almost all her business comes from repeat clients, referrals, or through Google).
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Dreams Vacations
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel.
Today, you’ll hear from Andrea Morita, founder of The Colombian Trip, a DMC that offers boutique, concierge-style touring for travelers to Colombia.
During the episode, Andrea will share why she believes The Colombian Trip represents a celebration of Colombia’s heart and soul. And, as a native Colombian herself, she’ll also reflect on how she merges the love of her homeland with her career in travel, and how she ensures her business leaves a positive impact on the local communities she works with.
Finally, she’ll discuss her top tips for travel advisors vetting DMC partners.
This episode was sponsored by The Colombian Trip.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Contact Morita: andreamorita@thecolombiantrip.com
The Colombian Trip
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today's episode features Abby Meyer of Sky High Travel. In just a few short years, Meyer's business has exploded, thanks in part to her agency's strong presence in St. Louis.
Here, Meyer shares how her community engagement and use of local media has propelled her to success. Her agency has been named the No. 1 travel agency in St. Louis with STL Magazine and, as of the time we recorded this episode, she was nominated for the same honor with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Sky High Travel
SH Travel Team on Facebook
@Travel.With.Sky.High on Instagram
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hi everyone, this is Emma Weissmann, and welcome to another episode of Humans in the Hot Seat. This is actually a bonus episode — it’s coming out the day before Thanksgiving, which is a bit unusual for us, but this topic was an especially timely one. We'll hear from Kari Dillon, the owner of Marvelous Mouse Travels, the agency behind the viral “In My Eras” Taylor Swift-themed cruise that has recently hit the world by storm.
Now, if you know me in real life, you know I’m a huge Swiftie, so of course I immediately reached out to Dillon to learn more about it. We'll hear how the cruise came about, what went into creating this cruise, and what Dillon wants other travel agents to know about planning this type of affinity cruise, and then going viral. I hope you enjoy.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
From TravelAge West:
Who Is Marvelous Mouse Travels, and Why Is it Hosting a Taylor Swift-Themed Cruise?
Here's How to Book the Waitlisted 'In My Cruise Era' Taylor Swift Cruise
Marvelous Mouse Travels
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Grace McBride got her start in the travel industry earlier than most — as an undergraduate at Cornell University. During her sophomore year, McBride worked as a marketing intern for JetBlue, where she helped write marketing and ad copy for the airline. After catching the travel bug, she joined MilesAhead, a travel agency founded by Cornell classmate Rob Karp.
But it was an entrepreneurship class that ultimately gave McBride and her friend, Sarah Peters, the idea for an entirely new travel business: TripKit, an itinerary builder and assistant service for luxury travel advisors (a company that the pair eventually sold in 2022).
In this episode of Humans of Travel, McBride takes listeners along on her entrepreneurial journey, sharing the impact her father — a florist from Long Island — had on her work ethic; the pros and cons of starting two companies while juggling school (and a pandemic); and how travel advisors and suppliers can engage with her newest venture: Lucia, a freelance marketplace for the travel industry.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
From TravelAge West: Lucia Gives Travel Businesses a New Way to Hire Freelance Workers
MilesAhead
TripKit
Lucia
Contact McBride: grace@letslucia.com
Rob Karp on Humans of Travel
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today's episode features Joseph Fehlen, owner of Small Town Wanderer. Fehlen lives in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, a small Midwestern town with a population of 8,000.
Here, you'll hear how Fehlen incorporates his rural background directly into his branding and marketing, and how he encourages his neighbors — about 60 to 70% of whom have never traveled before — to venture outside their comfort zones. A big part of Fehlen's job, he says, is gaining a level of trust with his clients, and helping them overcome any physical, logistical or psychological obstacles to traveling.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Small Town Wanderer
Instagram: @Small_Town_Wanderer
Email Fehlen: joseph@smalltownwanderer.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The youngest of 13 children, Stephanie M. Jones spent her childhood in Detroit soaking up entrepreneurial skills as a shampoo girl for her single mother, who worked as a hairdresser and cosmetologist. In high school, she was voted “Best Dressed” and “Most Likely to Succeed” (thanks in part to her habit of wearing dresses and carrying a briefcase to school), and she vowed at an early age to be her own boss by the time she was 30 years old.
Now, Jones is perhaps best known for her roles as the founder and CEO of the Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance (CHAT); the creator of the National Blacks and Tourism Collaborative; and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board for the U.S. Department of Commerce. But she's also someone who — after many years of facing her own professional challenges — has made it her life's mission to serve others by creating a more equitable space for underserved groups, from single mothers to small business owners and everyone in between.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Jones dives into some of her early pursuits, from working as a secretary in a discriminatory work environment to her time marketing small businesses and creating My Daughter’s Keeper, a nonprofit organization to help cultivate healthy relationships between mothers and their adolescent daughters.
Listeners will also hear about Jones’ latest mission: To create tangible opportunities for Black and Brown small businesses to market themselves and attract the attention of tourism industry stakeholders across the U.S.
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
01:00 Meet Stephanie M. Jones, the founder and CEO of the Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance (CHAT), the creator of the National Blacks and Tourism Collaborative, and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board for the U.S. Department of Commerce
02:25: Jones tells listeners about her childhood in Detroit, where she grew up as the youngest of 13 children.
09:18: Jones reflects on one of her first jobs, where she had her first experience with racism and discrimination in the workplace.
17:35: Jones moves on to help open the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
25:15 Listeners hear the origin story behind Jones' first nonprofit, "My Daughter's Keeper."
33:20: Jones speaks about her transition into the travel industry and her mission to help small Black and Brown businesses operating within the tourism landscape.
39:30: Jones shares how her travel industry colleagues can get involved with her initiatives.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Black Cultural Heritage Tours
Blacks in Travel and Tourism Collaborative
Contact Stephanie: Stephanie@blacksintourism.org
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel.
Today’s episode features Beci Mahnken, owner of Mouse Fan Travel, an affiliate of MEI-Travel. Mahnken is well-known throughout the travel industry for her deep and expansive knowledge of Disney. She’s a Travel + Leisure A-List Agent for Disney Destinations, and she leads a team of more than 80 vacation planners at Mouse Fan Travel. Here, you’ll hear Mahnken talk about how her partnerships with WDW Radio and RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com have helped her brand herself as an expert, while still remaining nimble enough to explore other niches.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Mahnken on social media: @Becimahnken
WDW Radio
Mouse Fan Travel
MEI-Travel.com
Email Mahnken: beci@meitravel.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“I have never been lonely when alone in the wilderness.”
So says J.R. Harris, a worldwide adventure trekker and a member of the prestigious Explorers Club, a global professional society of leaders that have ventured to the farthest reaches of the world, and beyond. (Other notable members include Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, filmmaker James Cameron, former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, astronaut Buzz Aldrin and oceanographer Sylvia Earle.)
Now in his seventies, Harris has no plans to slow down. In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will hear all about his love of solo travel, and his propensity to venture alone to some of the most remote, far-flung locales on the planet. They’ll also hear about Harris’ work as the DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) chair of the Explorers Club, and his role as the founder of the oldest African American-owned research and consulting firm in the country, JRH Marketing Services.
Harris will also share some of his best advice for curious travelers who, like him, were “born restless.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Explorers Club 50
The Explorers Club: Society of Forgotten Explorers
Way Out there: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker
"Born Curious" Documentary
Connect With Harris on Social Media:
www.jrinthewilderness.com
Instagram: @JRintheWilderness
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hello everyone, and welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today’s episode features two cruise planners advisors – Tawnee Sons and Julie Irovando of World2Sea, who were just named the runners up in the TravelAge West Trendsetter award for Best Group Booking Effort, an award sponsored by Sandals Resorts. In just eight months, Tawnee and Julie organized a Tampa Bay Bucaneers fan cruise with Celebrity Cruises. You’ll hear how the pair secured a partnership with the sports team, and how they worked with local media in the community and social media influencers to spread the word about the cruise. You’ll also hear their tips for booking a group of this magnitude and what they plan to differently for year 2.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Contact Sons and Irovando:
tsons@cruiseplanners.com
jirovando@cruiseplanners.com
Tampa Bay Bucs Cruise
Instagram: @TBBucsCruise
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Semcha Ledad may very well have the job many people have nightmares about. In the age of chaos at airports, Ledad oversees operations for Air France and KLM in her role as station manager at Miami International Airport.
On this episode of Humans of Travel, Ken Shapiro, Vice President/Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West takes the host seat. Listeners will get some great insight from someone who is behind the scenes at one of the busiest airports in the world. Ledad reflects on the challenges that she sees as opportunities for problem-solving, how she keeps calm when things are hectic around her, what she would like travel advisors and passengers to know about the airport experience and what makes Air France and KLM so special.
Ledad also shares more about her childhood growing up in New York City, her favorite destinations and what she sees in the airports she travels through on her own trips.
This episode is sponsored by Air France and KLM.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Air France and KLM's Trade Portal
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today’s episode features Celeste Peters of Caribbean Travel Queen. Peters recently won TravelAge West’s Trendsetter award in the category of Best Group Booking Effort, an award sponsored by Sandals Resorts.
You’ll hear how Peters turned her first group booking – an event for house music DJs and their fans – into a successful annual gathering. This year, she’s planning the second installment of the same event for 500 people. She’ll explain why she thinks the trend toward hotel buyouts is here to stay, how other travel advisors can successfully book events and the unexpected challenges that popped up for her in the process of booking this group.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Caribbean Travel Queen
Caribbean Travel Queen on:
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rose Gray, the business relationship director at Fox World Travel, got her start in the travel industry by walking into the agency her family used for their own personal vacations, and convincing them to hire her. At the time, she says that travel advisors were more “order-takers” and less “consultative,” and Gray would spend her days handwriting airline tickets and typing itineraries on a typewriter. She then spent the next 35-plus years in the industry, adapting to various technologies as the profession evolved, all while exploring and embracing new ideas.
Now, as the business relationship director and tour manager at Fox World Travel (the 25th Largest Travel Agency on Travel Weekly’s Power List), Gray still works with other advisors and traveling clients, albeit in a different way. She leads groups of clients all over the world as a tour manager for the agency, and is often found broadcasting her own radio show and podcast from the road.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will hear Gray reflect on her decades in travel; how her female role models helped shape her; how she has embraced new technologies (hello, artificial intelligence!); and her best advice for new-to-industry travel advisors on how to be successful and have a fruitful, long-lasting career.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Fox World Travel
Gray's Radio Show and Podcast
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today’s episode features Angela Adto, owner of AZA Luxury Travel, who was named runner up in the category of Best Use of Social Media at the TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards this year, an award that was sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands.
Adto estimates that her social media is responsible for about $500,000, or about one-third of her yearly business. Here, she’ll walk us through what she keeps in mind when planning content for social, and how she keeps on top of changing trends. She’ll also offer tips and tricks for travel advisors looking to elevate their social media game.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Connect with Adto:
Email: info@azaluxurytravel.com.
Instagram:
@AngelaAdto
@AzaLuxuryTravel
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Editor’s Note: This episode of Humans of Travel includes discussions on the topics of infant death, child loss and grief.
Erika Richter, the senior director of communications for the American Society of Travel Advisors, (also known as ASTA) has been a tireless advocate for travel advisors. She is well-known in the industry — by travel advisors and suppliers alike — and has spent nearly eight years as a spokesperson for the association.
A Michigan native who started her professional career on the Hill in Washington, D.C., Richter spent years gathering experience and honing her skills in advocacy, public relations and communications until a personal tragedy led her to push for a new kind of change.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Richter recounts the horrific day that changed her life forever — the day she lost her two-week-old daughter, Emma, in August 2018.
Richter shares how she spent her time in the months following, including the moment she found out that Emma had died due to positional asphyxiation from Fisher-Price’s Rock ‘n Play Sleeper — an inclined infant sleep product that was recalled in 2019 — and her subsequent fight to hold the CEOs of Fisher-Price and Mattel (the owner of Fisher-Price) accountable by providing written and video testimony earlier this year during a Congressional hearing with the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
In This Episode
2:00: Meet Erika Richter, the senior director of communications for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA)
2:30: What does a typical day look like working for ASTA?
3:55: What did Richter do prior to working for ASTA?
11:20: Richter recounts her experience losing her daughter, Emma, in August 2018.
19:25: Richter reflects on the moment that she learned Emma died due to positional asphyxiation from Fisher-Price’s Rock ‘n Play Sleeper.
26:00: Richter embarks on a fight to hold the CEOs of Fisher-Price and Mattel accountable during a hearing with the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
30:50: Richter shares an excerpt from her written testimony.
35:30: Richter speaks on the importance of updating the law, closing regulatory loopholes and educating consumers about the dangers of inclined sleepers.
41:30: What’s next for Richter as we head into 2022?
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Full Congressional Committee Hearing: Sleeping Danger: The Rock ‘n Play Sleeper and Failures in Infant Product Safety
The Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021
Study Concludes Design of Rock ’n Play, Other Infant Sleepers Led to Deaths (The Washington Post)
Fisher-Price Invented a Popular Baby Sleeper Without Medical Safety Tests and Kept Selling It, Even as Babies Died (The Washington Post)
New Evidence Shows More Infant Deaths Tied to Inclined Sleepers Than Previously Reported (Consumer Reports)
Contact Richter
Email: erichter@asta.org / richter.erika@gmail.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today’s episode features travel advisor Allison Jones of Destinations to Explore. Jones recently won TravelAge West’s Trendsetter award in the category of Best Use of Social Media, an award sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands.
Jones' YouTube channel and her blog, Jones Family Travel, has skyrocketed in popularity over the years. She began vlogging on the road with her family when her children were young – they’re now teenagers – and she uses her content to teach travelers about the destination she’s visiting.
Her “influencing” has also had a beneficial side effect: She’s brought new travel advisors into the industry. Here, she’ll talk all about the evolution of Jones Family Travel, and what she keeps in mind when working as an influencer and with supplier partners.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Destinations to Explore
Destinations in Florida
Jones Family Travel
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In addition to being a model, actress and licensed therapist, New Yorker Karmia Berry has always had a love for travel. In 2017, Berry decided to merge this love with her more than 25 years of experience working with youth communities by creating I Am C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D., a nonprofit organization that aims to empower marginalized youth communities through travel experiences, cultural exposure and mentorship.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Berry shares the origin story of I Am C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D (which stands for Confident, Unique, Leading, Tenacious, Unstoppable, Regal, Educated and Daring), and reveals how her past experiences — both as a Black traveler, and through her jobs working with underrepresented populations — and as an employee, has helped inspire the birth of this organization. Listeners will also hear about the various components of I Am C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D’s curriculum (which includes mentorship, personal development, passport sponsorship, and coordinated group trips, among other programs) and how it has influenced high school students in the New York City area. Travel advisors and suppliers will also learn how they can directly help the organization’s mission through fundraising, trip sponsorships and more.
This episode is sponsored by Apple Leisure Group Vacations.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
I am C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D. (Confident, Unique, Leading, Tenacious, Unstoppable, Regal, Educated, Daring)
Makeup and Breakup (YouTube), Streaming on a network called Allblk.
Coming to America (Berry’s favorite film)
Berry on Instagram: @Karmiaberry, @iamculturedinc
www.Karmiaberry.com
LinkedIn Karmia Berry
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today’s episode features Claire Maguire of Island Girl Travel and Vacations, a Cruise Planners Affiliate.
Maguire, who recently was named runner up for TravelAge West’s Trendsetter Award for Best Targeted Marketing Idea, which was sponsored by Princess Cruises.
Here, you’ll hear Maguire talk about her pandemic-era project: writing a book called Make Your Bucket List Trip a Reality, which was published on Amazon and rated No. 1 in New Releases for Adventure Travel Books.
Since she published her book, Maguire's business has exploded; she booked more travel in the first five weeks of 2023 than she did in all of 2018 and 2019 combined, and by marketing the principles of this book, she booked a group of 80 to the Greek Islands – many of them hadn’t previously had a passport.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Maguire's new websites:
www.bucketlisttraveltrips.com
www.antarcticatravelagent.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The daughter of an immigrant parent, Sarah Groen said she always felt that she was expected to succeed.
And, thanks to her “failure is not an option” mindset, she found success swiftly in her early adult life — from positions in oil and gas investment banking to co-founding her own startup and working as an executive for Uber.
However, in 2018, Groen found herself burnt out from the corporate world and in need of a new venture. She applied to the mentorship program at Brownell (one of America’s oldest travel agencies) and Bell + Bly Travel — a luxury agency where clients are often spending upward of $1,000 per day — was born.
Since joining the travel industry, Groen has won Virtuoso’s Most Innovative Travel Advisor award for 2021 for her work during the COVID-19 pandemic (which includes recording some 100 episodes for her newly launched podcast, Luxury Travel Insider, where she interviews authorities in the luxury travel space about the latest updates and trending destinations).
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Groen reflects on the moments she fell in love with traveling (during a trip to Germany at age 15, and then again during two study abroad tours in college), and what it was like paving the way as a female entrepreneur in largely male-dominated industries prior to her career in travel.
She also speaks about how she’s had to adapt and change a few of her workaholic tendencies, and shares advice for travel advisors looking to break into the luxury space.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Sarah’s Podcast: Luxury Travel Insider
Bell & Bly Travel
Sarah’s Instagram: @Sarahgoesglobal
Brownell Travel
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today’s episode features Casey Kiler of Blue Springs Travel. Casey was recently named the winner in the TravelAge West’s Trendsetter Awards for Best Targeted Marketing Idea, sponsored by Princess Cruises.
Here, you’ll hear Kiler talk about her unique, out-of-the-box solution for clients traveling on a Frontier Airlines charter flight to Cancun from Kansas City. To avoid costly bag fees, Casey has found the perfect “personal item” -sized bag on Amazon, one that fits five days worth of clothing. She then marketed the bag via social media and took her initiative even a step further – gifting the bag to each of her clients booked on the charter flight – even the kids.
Casey says this was all about “finding a solution, saving the clients’ money and doing the right thing for them, which is what travel agents are supposed to be doing.”
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Kiler on Facebook: Blue Springs Travel
TikTok: KCTravelsFromKC
Instagram: @bstravl
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you’ve worked in the travel industry for any length of time, you’re probably familiar with Kristin Karst. The co-owner and executive vice president of river cruise line AmaWaterways, Karst is a staple at most travel industry conferences, perhaps best known for her bubbly personality, welcoming demeanor and close, personal relationships with travel advisors.
However, many travel industry colleagues may not know Karst’s unique backstory. She was born and grew up in Dresden, a German town along the Elbe River, in what was formerly Eastern Germany, under a regime that mostly kept Karst and her family isolated from the Western World.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Karst reflects on a childhood spent under the Socialist Unity Party of Germany, and how the limited travel her family was able to do allowed her to gain an appreciation for all that Eastern Europe had to offer and fostered an early love of tourism.
Karst will also dive into what it was like when the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, and how she got her start in the travel industry as a leisure manager at American Express Travel, a role that she kept until she moved to Southern California and met Rudi Schreiner, her husband-to-be and the former president of Viking Cruises.
Listeners will hear Karst reflect on the early days of AmaWaterways, how she keeps her work-life balance in check and what’s behind her unwavering positivity.
This episode is sponsored by Apple Leisure Group Vacations.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
AmaWaterways' debut in Colombia
TravelAge West’s 2023 WAVE Awards (AmaWaterways took home wins for River Cruise Line with the Highest Client Satisfaction; Best River Cruise Line for Families; and Best River Cruise Line for Luxury.
Get in touch with AmaWaterways:
1-800-626-0126
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel. Today’s episode features Nikki Miller of Travel With Nikki, who was named Runner Up for TravelAge West’s Upward Bound, Rock Star Advisor Under 40, an award sponsored by World of Hyatt, Inclusive Collection. Here, you’ll hear Nikki talk about how the industry has changed since she became a travel advisor in 2009, and what led her to create Your Voyage Vocation, a community for travel advisors to learn how to successfully run a lucrative business, from getting ahold of financials to setting boundaries with clients.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Danny Guerrero, the vice president of North America Strategy at MMGY Global, always knew he was different. But despite facing tremendous odds in his childhood — including years spent watching his father struggle with substance abuse and feeling out of place as a Latino at an all-white school in San Diego — Guerrero pushed forward on his journey of self-discovery and has since turned many of life’s lemons into lemonade.
Guerrero’s interests and experiences in public relations, multicultural marketing and brand strategy have propelled him to prominence in the travel industry. He’s active in the Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (DEI) space, (winning an Outstanding Achievement Award from the World Travel & Tourism Council for Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in the Travel Industry earlier this year), and he’s pioneered research for MMGY that places a lens on the needs of underrepresented groups — most recently, Black and Latinx travelers.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Guerrero dives into his journey of cultural connection and self-acceptance. He opens up about being the first person in his family to go to a four-year university, the moment he confronted his sexuality, and how he used his interests in politics and tourism to propel his career forward.
He also talks about what’s needed in the travel industry to make it a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Inroads: inroads.org
MMGY Travel Intelligence: www.mmgyglobal.com
Future Leaders in Travel Retreat: www.futureleadersintravel.com
Latinx Study: www.mmgyintel.com
Danny’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome to Humans in the Hot Seat, a spinoff series of Humans of Travel.
Twice per month, we'll be sitting down with a travel pro for a condensed, Humans of Travel-style interview. These five- to 10-minute episodes will be released on the Humans of Travel feed during the weeks when we don't have full-length episodes.
Our first hot seat interview features Theresa Chu-Bermudez of Get Out! Custom Travels, who recently won TravelAge West's Upward Bound, Rockstar Advisor Under 40 award, which was sponsored by World of Hyatt, Inclusive Collection.
Here, you'll hear Theresa talk about the Tin Lounge, a travel industry news podcast that she started during the pandemic with fellow advisor Korinne Johnson, and Fam With Intention, a travel advisor course all about making the most of a fam trip
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hi, everyone. It's Emma Weissmann, the host of the Humans of Travel podcast. And I'm excited to announce the launch of a new Humans of Travel spinoff series: Humans in the Hot Seat.
Twice per month, I'll be sitting down with a travel pro for a condensed, Humans of Travel-style interview. These five- to 10-minute episodes will be released in the Humans of Travel feed during the weeks when we don't have full episodes.
If you've ever wanted a crash course in business from a trendsetting travel advisor, or to get into the minds of the seasoned vets and future leaders of our industry, make sure you're subscribed to the main Humans of Travel podcast page to be in the know for when we release new episodes.
Humans in the Hot Seat will be coming to you this summer. If you'd like to submit your recommendation for a human to add to our hot seat, send us an email at letters@travelagewest.com. Looking forward to the conversation.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark Wolters was an early social media influencer — he created his YouTube channel, Wolters World, in 2009; since then, he’s uploaded more than 2,300 travel videos and racked up more than 227 million views and nearly 1 million subscribers. In 2014, he was named the No. 1 independent travel videographer by USA Today.
And when Wolters isn’t documenting his travel endeavors on YouTube, he’s a professor of marketing at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Wolters provides a crash course in social media marketing and advises travel businesses looking to build their brand and grow a following online.
Listeners will hear Wolters reflect on his own path to success, why he chose to feature honest travel advice (that shows both the good and the bad sides of traveling), the importance of remaining authentic online and the main challenges that wannabe influencers may face when starting out.
This episode is sponsored by Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Follow Mark Wolters on Social Media
Youtube:
Wolters World
Wolters World Eats
Wolters World Shorts
Professor Wolters
Wolters World on Facebook
Wolters World on Instagram
Wolters World on TikTok
Wolters’ Favorite influencers:
Megan Daily
Rob from Trip Hacks DC
Samuel and Audrey: @thatbackpacker
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
At the age of 29, Asta Lassesen was already one of the youngest CFOs in the cruise industry — but she was not done there. A few years later, she became the first female CEO of Hurtigruten Expeditions, one of the oldest companies in the travel industry.
In this episode, sponsored by Hurtigruten Expeditions, Kenneth Shapiro (Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West) steps in for Emma Weissmann to chat with Lassesen about her experience working as a young female chief executive for a company with a long history. Listeners will also hear about Lassesen’s childhood in Norway, where she grew up as a member of a fishing family. (Hint: She started working at age 7.)
Lassesen will also highlight Hurtigruten’s current cruise offerings and the company’s plans for the future, which include sailing to amazing destinations far beyond its core polar itineraries. She also discusses what’s behind Hurtigruten’s strong push for sustainable cruising, and what she would like to see from her cruise industry peers.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Hurtigruten Expeditions: www.hurtigruten.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omny.fm/listener for privacy information.
Whitney Shindelar, owner of Undiscovered Sunsets, wears many professional hats: In addition to being a travel advisor, she’s the founder of the Masters in Travel online community of advisors; the host of the Masters in Travel podcast; and the creator of The Hive, a new technology platform that revolutionizes the way knowledge and insights are shared between travel agents.
Prior to becoming an advisor, Shindelar spent much of her 20s living in Shanghai, China, where she taught English before transitioning to work at Le Meridien Shanghai (first in a role within the food and beverage department, and then in Operations Excellence).
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Shindelar describes the lessons she learned while living and working abroad, and what it was like to handle operational challenges in a large luxury hotel. She reflects on making a career switch to travel advising after an especially impactful trip to Germany, and what her early pain points were when she was just starting off as a travel advisor.
Listeners will also hear about Shindelar’s latest venture, The Hive, and learn why she decided to create the Masters in Travel podcast and online community during the pandemic.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Whitney Shindelar on Trade Secrets: How Do I Find My Travel Industry Mentor?
Undiscovered Sunsets
Masters in Travel Podcast
Masters in Travel Online Community
@MastersinTravel on Instagram
@thehive.travel on Instagram
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Scott Koepf is a familiar face — especially within the cruise industry — and a true jack of all trades. Prior to his career in travel, Koepf went to college on a football scholarship, founded his own fraternity, and left with a joint degree in business and opera performance.
His athletic ability, leadership skills and on-stage charisma has landed him the industry nicknames “The Sales Coach” and “The Singing Salesman,” and have also translated to other chapters of his life, from pursuing a big break in Hollywood –— where he met his wife, Pam, during an audition –— to entertaining passengers onboard cruise ships. Koepf is also a recent recipient of Cruise Lines International Association’s Lifetime Achievement award, and he currently helps cruise specialists learn the tricks of the trade as the senior vice president of strategic planning for Cruise Planners.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Koepf talks about what he has learned in his 35 years in the travel industry, from his time working as a cruise ship entertainer to taking the ultimate leap of faith: Buying a cruise franchise with his wife’s game show winnings.
We’ll also hear about the challenges Koepf has faced as a business owner, and his advice for new-to-industry travel advisors.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Cruise Planners: www.cruiseplanners.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In addition to being an author, a TedX speaker and a frequent media contributor, Sahara Rose De Vore is the founder of The Travel Coach Network (TCN).
Now, you may be wondering — what is a travel coach? What types of clients do they work with, and what’s the difference between a travel coach and a travel advisor, or a traditional travel agent?
In the latest episode of Humans of Travel, De Vore breaks down the specifics of her travel career. Travel coaches, like De Vore, help individuals or companies — such as tour operators, DMCs, travel agencies or corporate meeting planners — hone in on the psychology of travel, and how they can best alter their marketing or improve their company’s culture based on a human-centric approach, one that takes into account their consumers’ unique mindsets, fears, obstacles, professional goals and unique personal experiences.
In addition to being a travel coach who focuses specifically on wellness, De Vore helps budding travel coaches develop their businesses through TCN and through her Travel Coach Certification Program, an accredited program from the International Coaching Federation.
Listeners will also hear about De Vore’s own travel experiences, which include going solo to 84 countries across the world, and how she pushes herself out of her comfort zone while living with an anxiety disorder.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Travel Coach Network
De Vore on Instagram
The Travel Coach Network on Instagram
De Vore on Linkedin
De Vore on Facebook
The Travel Coach on Facebook
The Travel Coach Network Podcast
Free Beginner's Guide to Travel Coaching
Women Thrive Through Travel MasterFind Virtual Event 2023
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
2:30: Meet Sahara Rose De Vore, a wellness travel coach and the founder of The Travel Coach Network
3:00: What is a travel coach, and who would generally use them?
5:15: De Vore breaks down the differences between a travel coach and a travel advisor.
7:00: De Vore explains the significance of TCN’s accreditation from the International Coaching Federation.
9:25: De Vore shares the most common challenges that travel coaches have when beginning their businesses.
14:09: De Vore reflects on her childhood growing up with a single mom, and how she navigates her public-facing persona as an introvert who is living with anxiety.
18:50: De Vore talks about what it was like traveling solo to 84 countries.
24:00: De Vore speaks on why she hopes to reshape how people view travel.
29:30: As a wellness coach, what trends is De Vore seeing in the wellness space?
32:45: Weissmann asks De Vore a round of rapid-fire questions.
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Viola de Velasco has been in the travel industry for more than 30 years, starting first as a corporate travel advisor in Los Angeles and eventually becoming the vice president of sales operations at tech-forward host agency, Avoya Travel.
Her love of exploring the world began during her childhood in Nicaragua, where de Velasco spent her vacations exploring the tropical landscapes of the Central American country with her three younger siblings in tow. When unrest and revolution caused her to leave her home behind and move to the U.S., de Velasco quickly made a name for herself in Los Angeles’ international banking scene before shifting gears and becoming a corporate travel advisor for law firms across the city.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, de Velasco shares what it was like working as a travel advisor in the 1980s, when perks of the job included heavily discounted airline tickets and glamorous weekend shopping trips to Hong Kong and Paris. She’ll also detail the shift toward automation in travel, and how she’s helping today’s travel advisors up their skill sets through her role at Avoya.
We’ll also hear about an especially memorable pre-pandemic trip to Spain, where de Velasco embarked on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, walking 72 miles and discovering physical and spiritual strengths she didn’t know she had.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Avoya's Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/AvoyaTravelNetwork
Avoya's LinkedIn Page: www.linkedin.com/company/avoya-travel
Avoya's Consumer-Facing Website: www.avoyatravel.com
Avoya's Advisor-Facing Website: www.avoyanetwork.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kristy Durso, owner of Incredible Memories Travel, is a passionate advocate that everyone should be able to travel, regardless of an individual’s unique disability. A full-time wheelchair user since 2019, she has used her own travel experiences (and those of her husband and three children, who also live with disabilities) to dig deeper into the world of accessible travel.
Now known as an expert in this niche, Durso has made it her goal to educate other travel advisors and inspire and advocate for travelers from every walk of life. In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will hear about Durso’s own journey as the wife of a military veteran and mother to three children living with disabilities; her path toward becoming Miss Wheelchair Texas in 2022; and her views on the accessible travel landscape (including what the industry does right, and what it does very, very wrong).
Listeners will also hear about Durso’s sales process, including the questions she asks clients with accessibility needs, the conversations she has with supplier partners, and the changes she makes to her trip-planning process depending on the type of disability a client has (mobility, cognitive, hearing- or vision-related limitations and more). She also gives advice to other travel advisors who are interested in marketing to clients within the disability community (which encompasses one-fourth of U.S. adults), and the importance of using person-first language and inclusive marketing materials and tactics for reaching this group.
Want to learn more about this travel niche? Check out our Travel Agent Guide for Planning Accessible Travel.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Miss Wheelchair Texas
Incredible Memories Travel
kristy@incrediblememoriestravel.com
Durso on Instagram: @Kristygoes
Durso on Facebook: Kristy Durso
Accessible Travel Network on Facebook
TravelAbility (creator of the Accessibility Playbook)
Durso’s Video with Wheel the World
A recent movie that Durso likes: The Upside
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
00:45: Weissmann introduces the episode.
2:15: Meet Kristy Durso, owner of Incredible Memories Travel.
3:50: Durso speaks about the Miss Wheelchair Texas competition.
8:00: Durso shares more about her family, many of whom are living with disabilities.
12:00: Durso is an accessible travel expert. What questions are other advisors asking her about this space?
13:20: Durso gives her 30,000-foot-view on the accessible travel landscape.
15:00: What does the Americans With Disabilities Act get right? What does it get wrong?
24:00: What qualifying questions does Durso have when it comes to working with clients with accessibility needs?
28:00: Durso talks about the training she wrote that teaches travel professionals how to better accommodate individuals living with disabilities.
32:00: Weissmann shares some statistics on the disability community, including that more than a quarter of U.S. adults are currently living with some form of disability, and that it is not a homogenous group.
35:41: Accessible travel is considered a niche. Durso reflects on why it shouldn’t be.
36:25: Durso speaks on the importance of using person-first language when speaking to clients with accessibility needs.
41:35: Weissmann encourages listeners to check out TravelAbility and the Accessibility Playbook.
42:04: Weissmann asks Durso a round of rapid-fire questions.
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As a 22-year-old, after backpacking around the world, Bruce Poon Tip, founder of tour operator G Adventures and the current chairman of G Travel Community, basically invented a new type of travel product that emphasized more local experiences and interactions, and sought a deeper connection with destinations and the people who live there. Over the years, G Adventures has become a leader in this kind of travel all over the world. The company’s brands have won numerous awards — including several TravelAge West WAVE awards.
Tip himself has emerged as a strong voice for responsible travel, writing books, speaking around the world — including at the United Nations — and recently producing “The Last Tourist,” a feature film.
In this episode, Tip returns to Humans of Travel to talk about his view of the travel industry today. (He was previously on the podcast in April 2020 talking about his background and the early days of his company.) Now, Tip shares his take on how the COVID-19 pandemic changed the travel industry and what it taught him personally, as well as how he sees the state of responsible travel and community engagement today. Tip also discusses how he sees G Adventures evolving to continue to be a leader in the industry.
Throughout the episode, listeners will hear Tip share his insights on what travel advisors can do to improve their business and build better relationships with their customers. As one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the travel industry, Tip has very straightforward thoughts on how agents can achieve their goals. It’s a conversation with one of the true visionaries in travel, and you won’t want to miss it.
Know a great Human of Travel who has a compelling story to share? Send us an email at letters@travelagewest.com.
This sponsored interview was conducted by Kenneth Shapiro, Vice President/Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West. This episode is sponsored by G Adventures.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Humans of Travel, April 27, 2020: Bruce Poon Tip on Lessons From Getting Fired, Asian Representation and Founding G Adventures on Two Maxed-Out Credit Cards
G Adventures
Planeterra
“Looptail” By Bruce Poon Tip
“Unlearn, The Year the Earth Stood Still” By Bruce Poon Tip
“The Last Tourist” Film
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Welcome back to Humans of Travel! We’re back from our winter hiatus, and we’re gearing up to bring you a brand-new season featuring conversations from some of the most innovative and inspiring voices in travel.
Our first guest is Beth Santos, the founder of Wanderful, a virtual and in-person community of more than 40,000 women of diverse ages and backgrounds, all connected through their love of travel. Santos has been recognized by Business Insider as one of 17 Changemakers Transforming the Hospitality Industry, and she’s been named as one of 12 Inspiring People to Follow by Conde Nast Traveler.
She’s a self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur and community builder who has set out to disrupt travel for women worldwide, starting Wanderful during her time living off the coast of Western Africa. Since then, it’s morphed into a robust member community with online resources and education, along with chapter events in more than 50 global cities.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Santos gives her take on women’s place in travel planning and decision making, and what society gets wrong about female travel (hint: it doesn’t follow the “Taken narrative”). She also takes listeners through her own journey, from the early days of blogging about Sao Tome and Principe to the evolution of Wanderful and what it offers its community of members.
Know a great Human of Travel who has a compelling story to share? Send us an email at letters@travelagewest.com.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Wanderful
Santos’ website
Santos on LinkedIn
Santos on Instagram: @maximumbeth
Santos’ recent favorite book: The Last Resort
Santos’ podcast: 85%
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Since 2004, Shannon Stowell has been at the helm of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) — the largest global network of adventure travel leaders in the industry — which includes tour guides, operators, lodges, advisors, destination management organizations, media and more. He believes that tourism has the potential to be a powerful and protective force – if it’s done right.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Stowell takes listeners on a journey through some of his life’s biggest adventures, from making the natural landscapes of Salida, Colo., his playground as a teenager to taking his first international trip to Fiji and experiencing an especially impactful trip to Kurdistan (in Northern Iraq) a few years ago with his son, Ashton.
Stowell also explains the nuances of the term “adventure travel,” which is defined by the themes of cultural immersion, physical action or natural experiences (or a combination of the three), and how his own definition of adventure travel has shifted due to a recent health scare.
Listeners will also learn about the ATTA’s mission of promoting sustainable travel — including how members of the travel industry can get onboard with this initiative — and the future of the adventure travel segment as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
ATTA: www.adventuretravel.biz
Tomorrow’s Air (permanent carbon recapture subscription): www.tomorrowsair.com
Contact the ATTA: Info@adventuretravel.biz
ATTA’s free community membership program: https://www.adventuretravelnews.com/atta-opens-doors-with-new-free-community-membership-program
Stowell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonstowell/
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sherwin Banda, president of African Travel, Inc., was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, during apartheid, a tumultuous time when the country was governed under the principles of segregation and discrimination based on race. He describes what it meant to be classified as “colored” while growing up, and how his family dealt with the various challenges that came with that designation.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Banda explains how he transitioned into a decades-long career in hospitality, beginning with the night shift at a Cape Town hotel, until he became the first Black General Manager of a five-star hotel in South Africa. He also explains what it was like for South Africa to transition to a democratic country, and more presently, the parallels between that time and the conversations we are currently having in the U.S. about race. He also explains the ways that African Travel’s parent company, The Travel Corporation, have handled the challenges of diversity and representation in the travel industry.
Finally, he gives tips for travelers heading to Africa for the first time, along with suggested itineraries through African Travel Inc., the longest established luxury safari operator that’s focused exclusively on the African continent.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Africantravelinc.com
Instagram: @AfricanTravelInc, @SherwinBanda
Email: Sherwin.banda@africantravelinc.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Travel advisor Korrine Johnson is a wearer of many hats: She’s an advisor for Journeys Travel Company, where she and her business partner manage a team of five; she’s a co-host of The TIN Lounge podcast (where she breaks down the latest travel headlines and news); and she’s the founder of Travel Biz Boss — a consultancy for travel agents who need help automating and streamlining their businesses’ back-end systems.
But before her entrepreneurial spirit drove her toward success in the travel industry, Johnson faced her own set of unique challenges and milestones. She spent her childhood moving around the country with her mother and younger brother (after leaving an abusive situation with her biological father); she sharpened her business acumen by working in the optical industry; and she became a fierce advocate for human rights after watching her wife, Tracy, lose her job in education solely because of her sexual orientation.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Johnson describes how she often drew on the strength of her mother to drive her forward in life, and how she was able to use the skills she learned selling high-end eyewear to create a successful travel agency. She also gives advice to agents looking to start from the ground up — as she did — whether it is by fine-tuning email marketing strategies or implementing systems that allow advisors to be taken seriously from the get-go.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The TIN Lounge podcast
Travel Biz Boss
Journeys Travel Company
Johnson's Instagram: @travelbizboss, @lifeasadv
Johnson's Email: hello@travelbizboss.com, hello@thetinlounge.com
BUSINESS TOOLS/SOFTWARE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Canva
Trello
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As a child, travel journalist Mark Chesnut often dodged discomfort by hopping on the nearest plane, train or bus. Raised by a single mother in New York State and navigating the world as a young gay boy in the 1970s, he is the first to admit that he often turned to travel as both a physical — and figurative — escape.
From creating imaginary airlines to “gate raiding” at local airports and posing as a female travel agent to get free airplane posters, Chesnut has long used his enthusiasm about travel to tap into his creativity — a skill that he puts to daily use while working as an award-winning freelance travel writer for publications such as HuffPost (formerly The Huffington Post), Forbes Travel Guide, Travel Weekly and TravelAge West, among others.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Chesnut takes listeners along on his journey toward radical self-acceptance. He describes the challenges of coming out to his traditional-but-supportive mother, his transformative trips across the globe and how, through persistence, he was able to turn his passions into a career. We’ll also hear about how Chesnut’s role as a travel writer has shifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how he has dealt with the rise of “travel shaming.”
Note: Chesnut’s memoir, tentatively titled “Prepare for Departure: A Travel Writer’s Notes on Life, Death and Growing Up Different,” will be published by Vine Leaves Press. It will be available for pre-order in May 2022.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Instagram: @mundera
Twitter: @MunderaMedia
Latin Flyer Travel Blog: LatinFlyer.com
Youtube: YouTube.com/LatinFlyerTV
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Happy New Year, everyone! This is Emma Weissmann, the host of the Humans of Travel podcast and the managing editor of TravelAge West. I wanted to let you know that we’ll be taking a short break from releasing new episodes of Humans of Travel, but we’ll be back and launching our new season in March of 2023.
Don’t worry though – you’ll still be getting best-of episodes that we’ll re-release to the Humans of Travel feed every other week as we’re gearing up for this new season.
I’ll see you back right here in March for some more great conversations with the MVPs and rising stars of the travel industry. And in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out if you know a great Human of Travel with a compelling story to share for consideration in an upcoming episode. You can reach us at letters@travelagewest.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dondra Ritzenthaler is the senior vice president of sales, trade support and services for the Americas at Celebrity Cruises, where she’s been for almost 20 years (after spending more than 20 years working for American Airlines).
From a young age, Ritzenthaler considered herself a competitive go-getter, whether it was by practicing volleyball serves long after her other teammates left the gym; challenging her siblings to foot races and hair-pulling contests (yes, really); or, later, schooling her office colleagues in fantasy football.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Ritzenthaler takes listeners through her own personal journey, from her modest upbringing in rural Texas to being named a 2021 Power Woman by Moves Magazine last year. They will also hear about the challenges she’s faced, including losing a college scholarship after a sports injury, applying for the same job three times at American Airlines, and uprooting her family and moving them cross-country for a new job.
She’ll also speak on the importance of women learning to be “brave, not perfect,” and how the lessons she’s learned during her 40-plus-year career in business have ultimately shaped her views on team building, social fairness and equality.
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
1:00: Meet Dondra Ritzenthaler, the senior vice president of sales, trade support and services for the Americas at Celebrity Cruises.
2:15: Ritzenthaler recounts a skit she recently did on-stage with Royal Caribbean’s Vicki Freed at Travel Weekly’s CruiseWorld.
5:00: Ritzenthaler shares more about her upbringing in the rural town of Palestine, Texas, where she lived with her parents, her older brother and her younger sister.
8:45: How did Ritzenthaler’s dynamic with her siblings lead her to develop a competitive nature?
10:30: Ritzenthaler recalls a time when volleyball was key to her identity, and how a sports injury led to a lost college scholarship and a re-shaping of her sense of self.
15:40: Ritzenthaler has advice for anyone in business who is looking to build out a productive, efficient team.
22:08: Last year, Ritzenthaler was named a 2021 Power Woman by Moves Magazine, and she’s got some advice for young women building their careers.
26:45: Ritzenthaler explains why it’s important to lead with social fairness and equality in mind.
30:15: What was Ritzenthaler’s path to Celebrity Cruises? She details a more than 20-year stint at American Airlines.
32:00: Ritzenthaler recounts a challenging time when she applied for the same job three times at American Airlines.
35:09: Ritzenthaler makes the decision to move her family to Miami for a role with Celebrity Cruises.
37:08: Host Emma Weissmann asks Ritzenthaler a round of rapid-fire questions.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Ritzenthaler’s Facebook
Email Ritzenthaler: dritzenthaler@celebritycruises.com
Celebrity Cruises
Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder by Reshma Saujani
Power Women by Moves Magazine
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Heather Christopher is the owner of Heather Christopher Travel Consulting; co-owner of Travel Pro Theory; and co-founder of Wanderlust Wedding Co. Through Travel Pro Theory’s eponymous podcast, Christopher (alongside co-host Kate Thomas of FIT operator North & Leisure) dives deep into important business topics such as “graduating” clients, charging service fees and more. It’s clear that Christopher is endlessly passionate about the travel industry — particularly as it pertains to her fellow travel advisors.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Christopher reveals how losing her father at a young age influenced her decision to enter the industry as an advisor. She also discusses how the advisor industry has evolved throughout her 14-year tenure thus far — particularly compared to when she was the youngest in the room — and what she believes are its major pain points (hint: the lack of a barrier to entry and marginal education).
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Heather Christopher’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/heatherchristophertravel
Heather Christopher Travel Consulting: www.heatherchristophertravel.com
Travel Pro Theory: www.travelprotheory.com
Wanderlust Wedding Co.: www.wanderlustwedco.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you’re a travel advisor who works in the United States, your rights as a small-business owner or independent contractor have been defended and — in many cases, protected — by Eben Peck, executive vice president of advocacy for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Peck will share what it’s like on the Hill in Washington, D.C., where he works hand-in-hand with members of Congress to make sure the rights of travel advisors are top of mind for lawmakers.
Listeners will also hear about Peck’s upbringing in Boston, where he attended the oldest public high school in the country (with an impressive alumni list that includes founding fathers and former presidents). He’ll reflect on lessons learned during his first job in construction, and how he transitioned to politics, government affairs and advocacy over the course of his career.
Peck also speaks on the benefits of ASTA membership, and the problems the association still faces with awareness and membership (of the 160,000 travel industry employees ASTA serves, only 17,000 are members).
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
1:00: Meet Eben Peck, executive vice president of advocacy for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).
1:35: Peck shares more about his role at ASTA.
2:30: Peck details a career win (protecting the rights of Independent Contractors in California when Assembly Bill 5 was introduced) and a career challenge (securing loans for travel agencies under the CARES Act.).
5:30: How does Peck develop relationships with lawmakers? Does politics ever get in the way of progress?
9:30: Peck details his childhood in Boston, where he attended the oldest public high school in the country. He also speaks of his relationship with his father, who helped him develop a love of history.
14:00: Who was a young Eben Peck, fresh out of college? What were his goals and ambitions?
15:30: Peck talks about his first job outside of school at Turner Construction.
18:00: Peck moves to Washington, D.C. and lands his first job in government in Senator Olympia Snowe’s office before heading to the Corporation of Public Broadcasting.
27:00: Why should travel advisors become members of ASTA? What are the benefits of membership? Are there any ASTA events coming up?
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
From TravelAge West: How the Travel Industry Is Taking Action Against AB5 (Assembly Bill 5)
American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA)
ASTA Membership
ASTA’s Advocacy Portal
ASTA’s Professional Development Resources
ASTA’s Calendar of Events
Eben Peck's LinkedIn
Reach Peck via Email: epeck@asta.org
Reach Peck via Phone: (703) 739-6842
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode is brought to you by TravelAge West.
OUR GUEST
Rob Karp had his career all figured out at an early age — in fact, a day before he turned 15 years old in 2012, he officially launched MilesAhead. At the time, MilesAhead specialized in helping friends and family turn frequent flyer points into plane tickets. However, the company has since evolved to encompass a thriving, multimillion-dollar luxury travel concierge, and Karp has rightfully earned the respect of the travel industry.
In today’s episode of Humans of Travel, Karp looks back at what propelled him to launch MilesAhead when he was still in high school, and what it was like to grow the business while he attended Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. He reveals if he has any regrets from those especially exacting periods of his life, in addition to sharing the process of working with friends and what it’s like being a member of Generation Z.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
MilesAhead: www.milesahead.co
MilesAhead’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/milesaheadco
Rob Karp’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/robkarp_
An In-Depth Guide to Generation Z Travelers: www.travelagewest.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Most people in the travel industry have crossed paths with Terry Dale, who has served as the president and CEO of the U.S. Tour Operators Association (also known as USTOA) since 2011. But many may not know that although he currently resides in Brooklyn, N.Y., Dale’s roots are firmly planted in Brooklyn, Iowa, a town of 900 that served as the backdrop for his childhood on the Dale family farm.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, listeners will learn about Dale’s early vacations (to Iowa’s State Fair) and his entrance into the travel industry via an entry-level job with Cedar Rapids Tourism in Iowa. They’ll also hear about the career growing pains Dale faced as he hopped between tourism boards in the U.S. (including a tense run-in with the mayor of Providence, R.I.) and how he navigated 9/11 as the executive vice president of NYC & Co.
Finally, Dale will share more information about USTOA’s 50th Anniversary, and how the association and the traditional travel style of touring (what he calls the “T word”) has evolved since he joined the association.
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
1:00: Meet Terry Dale, president and CEO of United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA)
2:00: How has Dale seen USTOA evolve since he came onboard?
3:30: Dale talks about his childhood living in Brooklyn, Iowa (a town of 900 people).
7:30: Dale reflects on his earliest travel experiences — to the Iowa State Fair.
12:00: Dale lands his first travel industry job at the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Tourism Board.
15:30: Dale speaks of a challenging career relationship, when he butted heads with the mayor of Providence, R.I., during his time at the Visit Providence.
21:00: Dale gives listeners some background about what it’s like to work for a destination.
22:00: Listeners hear how Dale navigated 9/11 during his time at NYC & Co.
28:30: Dale talks about his family, which includes his husband (Rich), his sons and his three grandchildren.
31:00: Dale talks about the evolution of packaged travel (or touring) and its perception of being an antiquated mode of travel. He also shares updates on the future of the association, which will place a heavy emphasis on sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA)
TravelAge West article on USTOA's 50th Anniversary
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kasey Austin got an early start in the travel industry — at age 6, to be exact. Though its legacy dates back to 1974, Austin Adventures was purchased by Dan Austin, Kasey’s father, in 1995. From that point on, Kasey’s childhood was constantly surrounded by all things Austin Adventures. She even helped to guide a Yellowstone National Park tour that same year.
During summer breaks throughout middle school and high school in her hometown of Billings, Mont., Kasey would take on tasks such as cleaning up equipment, stuffing brochures and what she calls, “basically everything that no one else wanted to do.” And after learning the business from the ground up, she went on to become a guide, eventually vice president of operations and, most recently, president — a promotion that became official last November.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Kasey shares why she wasn’t always sure that she wanted to pursue the Austin family calling of running an adventure travel business. (In fact, her degree was in education.) Ultimately, it was a decision that felt right, and she hasn't looked back since. She also reveals her tips for working with family members and maintaining a work-life balance.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Austin Adventures: www.austinadventures.com
Kasey Austin’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/kasey.austin.395
Kasey Austin’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/kasey_morrissey
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you have any interest in the cruise industry, the chances are you know Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales, trade support and service for Royal Caribbean International. Freed’s career has spanned more than four decades; after spending 29 years at Carnival Cruise Line, she moved over to Royal Caribbean International in 2008.
In her 20s, Freed’s tenacity and ambition propelled her to early success; she was a senior vice president by the time she was 36, and she was named the first female chairperson of Cruise Lines International Association in 1998. Additionally, her deep relationships within the travel advisor community have earned her industry-wide recognition and have cemented her as one of the most well-known executives in the cruise industry.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Freed opens up about her early career and her unconventional path to landing a job at Carnival Cruise Line. She also talks about what it was like to work under the leadership of Bob Dickinson, Carnival’s former president and CEO, who was a mentor to Freed and an advocate for her throughout her career.
Listeners will also hear about Freed’s own views on mentorship (she suggests bypassing a single mentor in favor of a “board of directors”); what she loves about working in sales; and why the title on a business card can sometimes get in the way of forming valuable connections.
Finally, Freed details why she chose to “jump ship” and leave Carnival for a competing cruise line, and she shares a few highlights from her time at Royal Caribbean.
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
1:00: Meet Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales and trade support and service for Royal Caribbean International.
2:25: After graduating college, did Freed ever consider a career in travel?
3:00: Freed talks about one of her first stints in the industry – an internship with Ask Mr. Foster (now Carlson Travel).
3:45: Freed reflects on her perception of cruising in her early 20s.
6:00: Freed shares what it was like when she first heard Bob Dickinson speak at a Cruise Week event.
8:00: Freed discusses her multi-month journey to landing a job at Carnival Cruise Line.
16:15: Freed discloses her own views on mentorship, and details one particularly successful mentor/mentee relationship she’s had. She also gives advice for listeners looking to build up a “board of directors.”
22:50: Freed talks about her promotion and move to Florida, and how she felt when she was asked to take on a larger role at Carnival.
26:06: Freed reflects on her decision to leave Carnival Cruise Line and join Royal Caribbean International
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options (JAFCO)
Vicki’s Coffee Talks
Reach Freed via phone: (305) 539-6031
Freed’s email: vfreed@rccl.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melbourne, Australia-based Jenny Gray is a senior product manager at Intrepid Travel, which offers more than 1,000 adventure travel itineraries all over the world, including on all seven continents and in 120-plus countries.
Gray caught the travel bug long before she began working at Intrepid about 10 years ago. Born in Sydney, Australia, she spent much of her childhood living and attending an international school in Fiji — a beloved place that taught her to celebrate diversity. After working at a ski vacation wholesaler in Australia, she next moved to London for a job at Exodus Travels. Then, Gray says, she was “in the right place at the right time,” as Exodus Travels and Intrepid Travel merged. Back to Australia she went, taking on Intrepid’s role of regional product manager for the Middle East and Africa.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Gray shares why she championed the tour operator’s female-led range of Women’s Expedition Trips, which was launched in 2018 on International Women’s Day. The product is near and dear to her heart.
She also opens up about an ongoing challenge in her personal life: battling infertility, which was followed by a devastating miscarriage late last year. She hopes that by sharing her story, other women facing the same challenges will feel less alone.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Intrepid Travel: www.intrepidtravel.com
Intrepid Travel’s Women’s Expeditions: www.intrepidtravel.com/us/womens-expeditions
Intrepid Travel’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/intrepidtravel
Intrepid Travel’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/intrepidtravel
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Antoine Wilson works six days per week as an air traffic controller at Miami International Airport, where he spends his eight-hour shifts scanning radar and monitoring the South Florida airspace from Miami down to the Florida Keys.
And during his day off, he turns his attention to his second — and third — businesses: advising travel clients with A.D. Elite Travels, and working on the launch of his newest venture, Melanated Safaris.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Wilson shares the ins and outs his three careers, which he embarked on after declining a conditional offer to work with the CIA. Listeners will hear about the formation of A.D. Elite Travels, where Wilson has made it his mission to get passports in the hands of as many youth and minority communities as possible (starting with his younger brother).
They’ll also hear the story of how Wilson decided to dip his toes into the supplier arena. He recently partnered with a Tanzanian-based guide he met on social media to create Melanated Safaris, which he says will offer “the next generation of African safaris,” beginning with this month’s inaugural tour.
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
0:50: Meet Antoine Wilson, a travel advisor who has been named a “Future Leader to Watch Out For” at last year’s Future Leaders in Travel Retreat (powered by TravelAge West).
1:50: Wilson has three careers – how does he do it all?
2:00 Wilson shares what it was like to start a career as a travel advisor in 2018, and how his business evolved with the challenges of the pandemic.
6:00: Wilson reflects on his early life and his decision to pursue a joint degree in Transportation/Supply Chain Management and Business Administration.
7:40: Wilson details his decision to decline a conditional offer for employment from the CIA.
11:40: Wilson discusses what it’s like to be a full-time air traffic controller.
21:15: Wilson chats about his business, A.D. Elite Travels, and why he’s made it his mission to help young Americans and People of Color acquire their first passports.
27:30: Weissmann and Wilson chat about the problem of representation within the travel industry.
29:40: Wilson shares more details about his latest venture, Melanated Safaris, and how fellow travel advisors can work with him.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
A.D. Elite Travels
Wilson’s Instagram
Melanated Safaris
The Future Leaders in Travel Retreat
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SmartFlyer is highly respected in the tourism industry, and those familiar with the luxury travel agency probably know the name Erina Pindar, as well. As SmartFlyer’s managing director, Pindar has helped to define the company’s brand vision and voice over the last 10 years. Today, she also oversees its business development initiatives; assists with its online and social media presence; and much more. Not to mention, Pindar continues to design custom itineraries for SmartFlyer’s top-level clients.
Though she often jets around the world for both work and play, Pindar actually discovered her love for traveling at a young age. Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, she spent much of her childhood traveling in Asia, all before immigrating to the U.S. — specifically, to a small town outside Charlotte, N.C. — as a teenager.
In today’s episode of Humans of Travel, Pindar looks back at that pivotal time of her life. She also discusses a changing travel industry, including her thoughts on being an influential voice — especially for young people of color.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
SmartFlyer: www.smartflyer.com
SmartFlyer’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesmartflyer
Erina Pindar’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/erinapindar
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Editor’s Note: This episode of Humans of Travel includes a firsthand account of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Julia Kulik, owner of Kyiv-based JC Travel Ukraine (also known as Enjoy Ukraine) has spent her travel industry career welcoming inbound tourists to Ukraine and Moldova via customizable private and group tours. That is, until earlier this year, when Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion into her home country.
Forced to leave her husband, Alex, behind due to a governmental mandate that forbids men of a certain age to leave the country, Kulik fled to the Netherlands with her then-10-year-old daughter, Polina. The two currently rent a small guest house in a Dutch village and are living as refugees.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Kulik reflects on the moment she knew her life would be changed forever: waking up to early-morning explosions that signaled the start of the war, and formatting her plan to escape the country.
Listeners will hear details of that escape, as well as how Kulik’s life has changed since that fateful day. She’ll also discuss the war’s impact on her business, and what she hopes the future will hold for JC Travel Ukraine, her family and her own country. In addition, Kulik will speak on the importance of spreading awareness about the Russia-Ukraine war, and about her desire to connect more with travel industry colleagues via freelance marketing and social media work.
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
01:30: Meet Julia Kulik, owner of JC Travel Ukraine, an inbound tour operator based in Kyiv, Ukraine
2:00: Kulik shares news about her new life with Polina in the Netherlands, and what her husband, Alex, is doing in Ukraine.
06:00: Kulik reflects on the day that Russian president Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.
09:00: Without a set plan in place, Kulik quickly begins planning her escape to the Netherlands with Polina.
11:30: Kulik details her journey, by car, through Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Austria and Germany.
12:30: Weissmann and Kulik discuss the importance of having hope during hard times.
18:00: Kulik talks about her business, JC Travel Ukraine, and how the pandemic and current conflict is affecting it.
19:30: What does the future hold for Kulik and for her business?
22:00: Kulik explains why it's important not to turn a blind eye when it comes to the world, and why it's important to gather news from more than one source.
24:00: How can the travel industry support Kulik during this time?
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
JC Travel Ukraine
Get in Touch With Julia via Email: enjoy.ukraine@gmail.com
Julia's Facebook
Julia's Instagram
Julia's YouTube Channel
Alex's PayPal: sk_alex@enjoy-ukraine.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As managing director of global public relations for Virtuoso, Misty Belles understands the value of a travel advisor perhaps better than most. A master of storytelling and marketing, she works tirelessly to share this insight, in addition to championing the invitation-only consortium’s own luxury member agencies and supplier partners.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, however, Belles is telling a different story: her own. She talks about what it was like growing up in a small Texan town — on a working cattle ranch, no less — as well as her childhood dreams of traveling to far-off places such as New York City and Paris.
Belles also shares her decision behind switching career paths (she studied journalism in college), and why public relations felt like a better fit. Last, but not least, Belles looks back at how travel has changed over her 20-year tenure working at Virtuoso.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Virtuoso: www.virtuoso.com
Virtuoso’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/virtuosoltd
Virtuoso’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/virtuosotravel
Virtuoso’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/virtuoso
Virtuoso’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosotravel
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Most travel advisors are familiar with Edyta Teper who, over the course of a nearly 30-year-old career in travel, held positions at Jet Set Tours, Carnival Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, Virtuoso, Virgin Voyages and Travel2. She’s a repeat winner of the TravelAge West WAVE Award for being a favorite sales representative, and now she’s turned her attention to the Last Frontier, joining Space Perspective as head of global sales, trade partnerships.
While there’s no doubt that Teper is beloved by the travel advisor community, many may not know her unique backstory.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Teper reflects on a moment that changed her life forever: The day she left her home in communist Poland at age 10 with her then-28-year-old mother and 3-year-old brother, embarking on a multi-country journey that eventually led her family to Austria, where they sought political asylum.
Listeners will also hear about Teper’s moves to Australia (for high school and college) and Los Angeles, where she took an internship at Jet Set Tours in a move that kickstarted her travel industry career.
Finally, Teper will talk about her latest venture: selling luxury spaceflight experiences with Space Perspective, which brings passengers to the edge of space during a six-hour ride up into the atmosphere in a space balloon. She’ll share some common misconceptions about space travel, and give tips to travel agents who want to sell space tourism to clients.
Note: This episode is sponsored by Windstar Cruises.
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
02:00: Meet Edyta Teper, head of global sales, trade partnerships for Space Perspective
3:30: Teper believes that relationship-building and supporting the travel advisor community has led to her success.
05:45: Teper reflects on her early life in communist-run Poland.
09:00: At age 10, Teper and her family escape Poland and seek political asylum in Austria.
15:00: Teper shares a defining moment in her life, when she experienced true kindness from border patrol agents in Austria.
18:00: Teper attends Star of the Sea, an all-girls school in Australia.
23:00: While earning a degree in travel and tourism management, Teper heads to Los Angeles for an internship with Jet Set Tours, a move that kickstarts her travel industry career.
27:45: Teper shares her past successes with other roles within the travel industry.
30:00: Listeners will learn about Space Perspective, the world's first luxury space tourism flight that takes clients to the edge of space.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Space Perspective
Get in Touch With Edyta: edyta@spaceperspective.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
At first, @DameTraveler might appear to be just another Instagram account with pretty pictures, but those who read between the lines understand that the Dame Traveler brand has long evolved to cultivate and empower an impactful community of travelers around the globe. Noticing a lack of Instagram accounts that showcase the work of female travel photographers, its founder, Nastasia Yakoub, began the account in 2014 while on bed rest recovering from a workplace injury.
Through passionate dedication and a clear vision, Yakoub grew the account to its some 593,000 followers today. She has also launched the successful Dame Traveler blog and, more recently, published a book titled Dame Traveler: Live the Spirit of Adventure. But so much of how Dame Traveler — an authentic space that encourages independent women to travel — came to be is due to Yakoub’s own personal background, principles, challenges and successes.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Yakoub takes listeners through a childhood heavily influenced by her Chaldean-American background; her education and work in nursing; and the very beginning of Dame Traveler, as well as the inspiration behind it. She also reveals how she confronts anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, from solo trips in Italy to long, meditative walks in her home of New York City.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Dame Traveler Blog: www.dametraveler.com
Dame Traveler’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/dametraveler
Nastasia Yakoub’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/nastasiaspassport
Love Letter to New York City Instagram: www.instagram.com/lovelettertonewyorkcity
Dame Traveler: Live the Spirit of Adventure: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/622677/dame-traveler-by-nastasia-yakoub
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Adam Sachs, an award-winning culinary journalist and magazine editor, is the brains behind Silversea Cruises' S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program.
But prior to joining the cruise industry, Sachs graced the masthead of several magazines, from his first gig as a fact-checker for Conde Nast Traveler to his time at GQ and as Editor-in-Chief of Saveur, a food-focused entertainment and culinary travel magazine.
Through his written work, he aims to celebrate the culture of the places he’s visited — and the people he’s met — through the lens of what's on a plate.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, the three-time James Beard award-winning writer reflects on his early career as a foodie journalist and some of the most meaningful stories he’s written, from an around-the-world trip on a single airline ticket to a New Zealand escapade planned completely by the Kiwis he met along the way.
Listeners will also hear Sachs’ take on how the food media landscape has changed, and what he predicts for the future of travel and food journalism.
And finally, Sachs dives into the ins and outs of Silversea’s new S.A.L.T. program, an onboard and onshore deep dive into the culinary culture of a sailing's ports of call.
Note: This episode is sponsored by Windstar Cruises.
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
01:00 Meet award-winning culinary journalist, Adam Sachs
04:00: Sachs details his early life in Louisville, Ky. and a childhood that didn't include food experimentation.
06:50: Two English teachers helped Sachs develop his love of writing in high school.
14:30: Sachs moves to New York, and his first magazine job was with Conde Nast Traveler as a fact-checker.
16:50: Sachs shares a behind-the-scenes look at two past stories he's written: An around-the-world trip on a single airline ticket, and a trip to New Zealand.
21:50: Sachs reflects on how the food media landscape has changed over the years, and what the future might look like for food and travel journalism.
29:55: Sachs gives listeners a deep-dive on Silversea's new S.A.L.T. project and its components: S.A.L.T. Lab, S.A.L.T. Bar and S.A.L.T. Experiences.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Silversea Cruises' S.A.L.T. Program
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Arnie Weissmann is perhaps best known in the travel industry for his roles as the editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly, and executive vice president and editorial director for Northstar Travel Group (the parent company of Travel Weekly and TravelAge West). But Arnie didn’t just land in travel journalism by accident; rather, the unique experiences of his younger years — which were fueled by an insatiable curiosity to explore the world around him — greatly shaped him into the man he is today.
In the first installment of this two-part Humans of Travel interview, Arnie speaks with his daughter, Emma Weissmann, our guest host and the Associate Editor for TravelAge West. The father-daughter duo discuss the defining moments of Arnie’s adolescent years, which include frequenting Chicago blues clubs as a teenager, spending six months working in a cafeteria in Boston and more. He also reflects on his first foray into the world of media: As a student journalist for Spectrum, the campus magazine at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he penned interviews with such subjects as Andy Warhol and Muhammad Ali.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Travel Weekly: www.travelweekly.com
Arnie Weissmann’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/arnieweissmann
Arnie Weissmann’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/awtravelweekly
Arnie Weissmann’s From the Window Seat weekly column: www.travelweekly.com/From-the-Window-Seat
Travel42 (formerly Weissmann Travel Reports): www.travel-42.com
Arnie Weissmann’s From the Window Seat weekly column: www.travelweekly.com/From-the-Window-Seat
Travel42 (formerly Weissmann Travel Reports): www.travel-42.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stephanie Lee, the founder of Host Agency Reviews — what she calls “Yelp for the B2B side of travel" — is a true expert in the host agency sector. Lee spends her days helping connect new travel agents to the resources they need to start their agencies, and gives veteran advisors ways to enhance their professional toolkits, as well.
In addition to running HostAgencyReviews.com, she has an e-newsletter with nearly 15,000 subscribers; she’s the host of the Travel Agent Chatter podcast; and she’s the author of “The Road Map to Becoming a Travel Advisor Course” for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Lee recounts what it was like growing up with interracial parents in rural Minnesota and reflects on the years before Host Agency Reviews — as a teacher in Uganda, and as an activities director for a women’s transitional housing shelter.
Listeners will also hear what went into the making of Host Agency Reviews and the advice Lee has for travel advisors looking to affiliate with a host agency. Lee also shares about one of the biggest challenges to date: a diagnosis that changed her life, and a years-long battle with cryoglobulinemia vasculitis, a rare auto-immune disease.
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
01:00 Meet Stephanie Lee, founder of Host Agency Reviews.
02:38: Lee details the difference between a host agency and a consortium.
04:50: Lee tells listeners about her experience growing up as a child of a mixed-race couple in rural Minnesota.
09:20: Lee reflects on her college experience, where she satiated her curiosity by taking a variety of different classes before graduating with a degree in Liberal Arts and Environmental Studies.
11:35: Lee shares the ins and outs of two previous jobs: working as a teacher in Uganda, and as an activities director at a women’s transitional shelter.
19:00: Lee decides to enter the travel industry and works for her mom’s travel agency.
22:45: Lee parts ways from her family’s agency and starts Host Agency Reviews.
28:15: Lee gives advice to new travel advisors looking to find a host agency.
31:00: As Host Agency Reviews gains momentum, Lee faces a new challenge with her health.
37:55: After being diagnosed with cryoglobulinemia vasculitis, a rare autoimmune disease, Lee realizes the importance of advocating for her health.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Host Agency Reviews
Travel Agent Chatter Podcast
The Road Map to Becoming a Travel Advisor Course (ASTA)
Learn More About Cryoglobulinemia Vasculitis
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Arnie Weissmann is perhaps best known in the travel industry for his roles as the editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly, and executive vice president and editorial director for Northstar Travel Group (the parent company of Travel Weekly and TravelAge West). But Arnie didn’t just land in travel journalism by accident; rather, the unique experiences of his younger years — which were fueled by an insatiable curiosity to explore the world around him — greatly shaped him into the man he is today.
In the first installment of this two-part Humans of Travel interview, Arnie speaks with his daughter, Emma Weissmann, our guest host and the Associate Editor for TravelAge West. The father-daughter duo discuss the defining moments of Arnie’s adolescent years, which include frequenting Chicago blues clubs as a teenager, spending six months working in a cafeteria in Boston and more. He also reflects on his first foray into the world of media: As a student journalist for Spectrum, the campus magazine at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he penned interviews with such subjects as Andy Warhol and Muhammad Ali.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Travel Weekly: www.travelweekly.com
Arnie Weissmann’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/arnieweissmann
Arnie Weissmann’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/awtravelweekly
Arnie Weissmann’s From the Window Seat weekly column: www.travelweekly.com/From-the-Window-Seat
Travel42 (formerly Weissmann Travel Reports): www.travel-42.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Charlie Clifford, co-founder of Tumi Luggage and a current director and co-founder of ROAM Luggage, is no newbie to the travel industry.
After all, ever since he created Tumi in the 1970s, he’s spent his days thinking about the business of travel — and what products we, as travelers, need to do it well.
Although he’s no longer at Tumi, Clifford hasn’t left the world of luggage. But his latest venture, ROAM, is decidedly different from its predecessor; rather than featuring the “black-on-black" luggage trend that Tumi is famous for, ROAM puts an emphasis on bright colors, made-in-the-U.S.A. manufacturing and full suitcase customization, even down to the trim, zippers and wheels.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Clifford details his early life, from his upbringing in rural New Jersey to his first international adventure — a two-year term in the Peace Corps in Peru that opened his eyes to the wider world, and eventually sparked the idea for Tumi Luggage.
He'll also give listeners an inside look at the struggles of building a business from the ground up, and how he overcame the challenges in the travel industry (economic recessions, 9/11 and the like) along the way.
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
01:00 Meet Charlie Clifford, the co-founder of Tumi and CEO of ROAM Luggage
02:05: Clifford tells listeners about his childhood in suburban New Jersey
5:00 Clifford details his time in the Midwest, where he attended college at Indiana University.
09:00: Clifford reflects on his two-year term in Peru while in the Peace Corps, his first international adventure and the period in his life where his eyes were opened to the wider world.
18:00: Clifford has the idea for a luggage company, which he calls Tumi.
25:00: Tumi finds quick success, but Clifford also faced challenges to the business.
29:45: Clifford speaks about where he was on 9/11, and how the tragedy affected the business.
38:15: Clifford shares what listeners need to know about ROAM Luggage, his latest venture.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
ROAM Luggage
ROAM Luggage on Instagram
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We've all heard a tall tale or two, but when it comes to UnCruise Adventures’ CEO Captain Dan Blanchard — well, he's the real thing. Throughout his career, Captain Dan has been committed to showing his guests “what real wild is.”
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Captain Dan recalls his earliest seafaring days, both on his family’s tugboat and as a member of the Sea Scouts. He also discusses his foray into the cruise industry, and how the lessons he learned as a young entrepreneur are helping UnCruise Adventures navigate the uncharted waters of the COVID-19 pandemic several decades later.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
UnCruise Adventures' website: www.uncruise.com
Video - A Day with Captain Dan Blanchard: https://youtu.be/6K0Wg8RPf-k
UnCruise on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnCruise
UnCruise on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncruise
UnCruise on YouTube: www.youtube.com/uncruise
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Thanks to the generosity of his grandmother, Aaron traveled to four continents and a dozen countries before he was old enough to vote. Those early adventures convinced him that travel is an essential part of life.
Aaron satisfies his passions for travel, teaching, and entertaining by helping travel industry clients create memorable and profitable audio and video content. Recent clients include Travel Weekly, VisitBritain, AirTreks, Travel Age West, The Family Travel Association, and many others.
Aaron was born in Texas, raised in SoCal, and currently lives in Sacramento, CA with his wife and two children (who are growing up too fast!)
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The youngest of 13 children, Stephanie M. Jones spent her childhood in Detroit soaking up entrepreneurial skills as a shampoo girl for her single mother, who worked as a hairdresser and cosmetologist. In high school, she was voted “Best Dressed” and “Most Likely to Succeed” (thanks in part to her habit of wearing dresses and carrying a briefcase to school), and she vowed at an early age to be her own boss by the time she was 30 years old.
Now, Jones is perhaps best known for her roles as the founder and CEO of the Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance (CHAT); the creator of the National Blacks and Tourism Collaborative; and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board for the U.S. Department of Commerce. But she's also someone who — after many years of facing her own professional challenges — has made it her life's mission to serve others by creating a more equitable space for underserved groups, from single mothers to small business owners and everyone in between.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Jones dives into some of her early pursuits, from working as a secretary in a discriminatory work environment to her time marketing small businesses and creating My Daughter’s Keeper, a nonprofit organization to help cultivate healthy relationships between mothers and their adolescent daughters.
Listeners will also hear about Jones’ latest mission: To create tangible opportunities for Black and Brown small businesses to market themselves and attract the attention of tourism industry stakeholders across the U.S.
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
01:00 Meet Stephanie M. Jones, the founder and CEO of the Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance (CHAT), the creator of the National Blacks and Tourism Collaborative, and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board for the U.S. Department of Commerce
02:25: Jones tells listeners about her childhood in Detroit, where she grew up as the youngest of 13 children.
09:18: Jones reflects on one of her first jobs, where she had her first experience with racism and discrimination in the workplace.
17:35: Jones moves on to help open the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
25:15 Listeners hear the origin story behind Jones' first nonprofit, "My Daughter's Keeper."
33:20: Jones speaks about her transition into the travel industry and her mission to help small Black and Brown businesses operating within the tourism landscape.
39:30: Jones shares how her travel industry colleagues can get involved with her initiatives.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Black Cultural Heritage Tours
Blacks in Travel and Tourism Collaborative
Contact Stephanie: Stephanie@blacksintourism.org
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode is brought to you by TravelAge West.
OUR GUEST
MaSovaida Morgan had a steady job as an in-house editor for Lonely Planet. However, desiring the excitement of the open road, she decided to transition to a new role for the travel publication: freelance guidebook author, which requires her to conduct heavy research while immersed in a destination for up to weeks at a time.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, the charismatic and inspiring Morgan shares how she first got into journalism and later found herself in the travel industry, as well. Being a woman of color, Morgan also discusses the dark underbelly of travel: racism. She shares a few discouraging experiences and how she chose to deal with such prejudice. Additionally, she talks about her mental health journey and how she confronts her depression.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
MaSovaida Morgan: www.masovaida.com
MaSovaida Morgan’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/masovaida
MaSovaida Morgan’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/masovaidamorgan
MaSovaida Morgan’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/masovaida
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Award-winning travel photographer Mark Edward Harris has been to an astounding 102 countries — including many that evade the average traveler and, as he puts it, places that are “seldom seen and even lesser understood.”
Many times, Harris is traveling for business, on assignment for publications such as Vanity Fair, LIFE, The New York Times, Newsweek, Time, National Geographic Traveler, Vogue and TravelAge West, among others — and he’s the recipient of many prestigious photography awards for his work.
He’s also the author of several travel photography books, including “Inside Iran,” “North Korea,” “The Way of the Japanese Bath” and, most recently, a book about orangutans called “The People of the Forest.”
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Harris dives into some of his most thrilling adventures, from his time in North Korea and his coverage of the Tokyo Olympics to his experience photographing orangutans for “People of the Forest.” He also reflects on the times when it’s been more appropriate to put down the camera, and how he gets his subjects to trust him. Plus, he offers some advice for succeeding as a travel photographer.
INSIDE THIS EPISODE
1:00 Meet Mark Edward Harris, award-winning travel photographer
2:30: How did Harris get interested in photography, and travel photography specifically?
9:20: Harris gives us the scoop behind the photo on the cover of his book "North Korea."
12:15: It's not all about pressing the shutter, according to Harris.
15:15: Harris talks about the ethics of travel photography — and when it's more appropriate to put the camera down.
22:00: Harris offers advice for wannabe travel photographers.
27:45: What camera/equipment does Harris recommend?
31:00: Harris explains how to best shoot action shots and speaks about his time covering the Tokyo Olympics
35:00: Harris talks about finding stories in his own backyard, rather than going to far-flung locales.
36:30: What’s next for Harris?
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Harris’ Instagram
Harris’ Website
Harris’ Books:
The People of the Forest
The Way of the Japanese Bath
North Korea
South Korea
The Travel Photo Essay: Describing a Journey Through Images
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Editor’s Note: This episode of Humans of Travel includes discussions on the topics of infant death, child loss and grief.
Erika Richter, the senior director of communications for the American Society of Travel Advisors, (also known as ASTA) has been a tireless advocate for travel advisors. She is well-known in the industry — by travel advisors and suppliers alike — and has spent nearly eight years as a spokesperson for the association.
A Michigan native who started her professional career on the Hill in Washington, D.C., Richter spent years gathering experience and honing her skills in advocacy, public relations and communications until a personal tragedy led her to push for a new kind of change.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Richter recounts the horrific day that changed her life forever — the day she lost her two-week-old daughter, Emma, in August 2018.
Richter shares how she spent her time in the months following, including the moment she found out that Emma had died due to positional asphyxiation from Fisher-Price’s Rock ‘n Play Sleeper — an inclined infant sleep product that was recalled in 2019 — and her subsequent fight to hold the CEOs of Fisher-Price and Mattel (the owner of Fisher-Price) accountable by providing written and video testimony earlier this year during a Congressional hearing with the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
In This Episode
2:00: Meet Erika Richter, the senior director of communications for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA)
2:30: What does a typical day look like working for ASTA?
3:55: What did Richter do prior to working for ASTA?
11:20: Richter recounts her experience losing her daughter, Emma, in August 2018.
19:25: Richter reflects on the moment that she learned Emma died due to positional asphyxiation from Fisher-Price’s Rock ‘n Play Sleeper.
26:00: Richter embarks on a fight to hold the CEOs of Fisher-Price and Mattel accountable during a hearing with the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
30:50: Richter shares an excerpt from her written testimony.
35:30: Richter speaks on the importance of updating the law, closing regulatory loopholes and educating consumers about the dangers of inclined sleepers.
41:30: What’s next for Richter as we head into 2022?
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Full Congressional Committee Hearing: Sleeping Danger: The Rock ‘n Play Sleeper and Failures in Infant Product Safety
The Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2021
Study Concludes Design of Rock ’n Play, Other Infant Sleepers Led to Deaths (The Washington Post)
Fisher-Price Invented a Popular Baby Sleeper Without Medical Safety Tests and Kept Selling It, Even as Babies Died (The Washington Post)
New Evidence Shows More Infant Deaths Tied to Inclined Sleepers Than Previously Reported (Consumer Reports)
Contact Richter
Email: erichter@asta.org / richter.erika@gmail.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The first thing you need to know about John Chernesky, senior vice president of North America sales and trade marketing for Princess Cruises, is that he often does professional presentations with a puppet that bears a striking resemblance to himself.
That’s just one example of Chernesky’s unusual approach — and the way he approaches life with a robust sense of humor. All these qualities, and more, help make him one of the most popular cruise industry personalities.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, sponsored by Princess Cruises, Kenneth Shapiro (Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West) steps in for Emma Weissmann to chat with Chernesky about his childhood, parenting his twin sons and how much he values travel. He also discusses the dark days at the start of the pandemic, his affinity for “The Love Boat,” cruising’s outlook for 2022 and experiencing MedallionClass Technology onboard a Princess Cruises ship.
And, of course, the origins of the puppet.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Facebook: PrincessVPSales
Princess Cruises: www.princess.com
Agent Portal: www.onesourcecruises.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this bonus episode of Humans of Travel, Michelle Sutter, vice president of North American Sales for Holland America Line, chats with Ken Shapiro, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West, at the recent CruiseWorld conference in Miami.
Sutter shares stories from her recent sailing in Europe, her advice for advisors, her pandemic silver lining and more.
To see the video version of the interview, visit https://www.travelagewest.com/media/cw-connection]
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this bonus episode of Humans of Travel, Jackie Friedman, president of Nexion Travel Group, visits with Ken Shapiro, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West, at the recent CruiseWorld conference in Miami.
Friedman talks about what Nexion provides for travel advisors, the outlook for 2022 and more.
To see the video version of the interview, visit https://www.travelagewest.com/media/cw-connection.
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The daughter of an immigrant parent, Sarah Groen said she always felt that she was expected to succeed.
And, thanks to her “failure is not an option” mindset, she found success swiftly in her early adult life — from positions in oil and gas investment banking to co-founding her own startup and working as an executive for Uber.
However, in 2018, Groen found herself burnt out from the corporate world and in need of a new venture. She applied to the mentorship program at Brownell (one of America’s oldest travel agencies) and Bell + Bly Travel — a luxury agency where clients are often spending upward of $1,000 per day — was born.
Since joining the travel industry, Groen has won Virtuoso’s Most Innovative Travel Advisor award for 2021 for her work during the COVID-19 pandemic (which includes recording some 100 episodes for her newly launched podcast, Luxury Travel Insider, where she interviews authorities in the luxury travel space about the latest updates and trending destinations).
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Groen reflects on the moments she fell in love with traveling (during a trip to Germany at age 15, and then again during two study abroad tours in college), and what it was like paving the way as a female entrepreneur in largely male-dominated industries prior to her career in travel.
She also speaks about how she’s had to adapt and change a few of her workaholic tendencies, and shares advice for travel advisors looking to break into the luxury space.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Sarah’s Podcast: Luxury Travel Insider
Bell & Bly Travel
Sarah’s Instagram: @Sarahgoesglobal
Brownell Travel
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Before putting his professional expertise and personal passion to the ultimate test by traveling around the world for a year with his wife and two young children, Rainer Jenss was a vice president and 13-year veteran of the National Geographic Society. As Publisher of National Geographic Kids from 2002-2008, Jenss helped transform the publication into the most widely read consumer magazine for children in the world.
Since returning from the trip around the world with his family, Jenss has been a dedicated advocate for family travel as an essential part of every child’s education. By creating the Family Travel Association, Jenss aimed to establish a collective and unified industry voice to help change the way families travel.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Jenss opens up about the personal challenges of immigrating to the U.S. from Germany as a child, his desire to integrate travel into his professional ambitions, the road to discovery brought about by a trip around the world with his family and the healing power of travel during a personal health crisis.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
TravelAge West Community Voices: Travel Is Just What the Doctor Ordered: www.travelagewest.com/Industry-Insight/Opinion/Community-Voices-Travel-Is-Just-What-the-Doctor-Ordered
Family Travel Association: www.familytravel.org
Smart Family Travel: www.smartfamilytravel.com
National Geographic Kids: kids.nationalgeographic.com
Full episode notes at www.TravelAgeWest.com/Podcast
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Danny Guerrero, the vice president of North America Strategy at MMGY Global, always knew he was different. But despite facing tremendous odds in his childhood — including years spent watching his father struggle with substance abuse and feeling out of place as a Latino at an all-white school in San Diego — Guerrero pushed forward on his journey of self-discovery and has since turned many of life’s lemons into lemonade.
Guerrero’s interests and experiences in public relations, multicultural marketing and brand strategy have propelled him to prominence in the travel industry. He’s active in the Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (DEI) space, (winning an Outstanding Achievement Award from the World Travel & Tourism Council for Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in the Travel Industry earlier this year), and he’s pioneered research for MMGY that places a lens on the needs of underrepresented groups — most recently, Black and Latinx travelers.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Guerrero dives into his journey of cultural connection and self-acceptance. He opens up about being the first person in his family to go to a four-year university, the moment he confronted his sexuality, and how he used his interests in politics and tourism to propel his career forward.
He also talks about what’s needed in the travel industry to make it a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Inroads: inroads.org
MMGY Travel Intelligence: www.mmgyglobal.com
Future Leaders in Travel Retreat: www.futureleadersintravel.com
Latinx Study: www.mmgyintel.com
Danny’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
At the age of 29, Asta Lassesen was already one of the youngest CFOs in the cruise industry — but she was not done there. A few years later, she became the first female CEO of Hurtigruten Expeditions, one of the oldest companies in the travel industry.
In this episode, sponsored by Hurtigruten Expeditions, Kenneth Shapiro (Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West) steps in for Emma Weissmann to chat with Lassesen about her experience working as a young female chief executive for a company with a long history. Listeners will also hear about Lassesen’s childhood in Norway, where she grew up as a member of a fishing family. (Hint: She started working at age 7.)
Lassesen will also highlight Hurtigruten’s current cruise offerings and the company’s plans for the future, which include sailing to amazing destinations far beyond its core polar itineraries. She also discusses what’s behind Hurtigruten’s strong push for sustainable cruising, and what she would like to see from her cruise industry peers.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Hurtigruten Expeditions: www.hurtigruten.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Scott Koepf is a familiar face — especially within the cruise industry — and a true jack of all trades. Prior to his career in travel , Koepf went to college on a football scholarship, founded his own fraternity, and left with a joint degree in business and opera performance.
His athletic ability, leadership skills and on-stage charisma has landed him the industry nicknames “The Sales Coach” and “The Singing Salesman,” and have also translated to other chapters of his life, from pursuing a big break in Hollywood –— where he met his wife, Pam, during an audition –— to entertaining passengers onboard cruise ships. Koepf is also a recent recipient of Cruise Lines International Association’s Lifetime Achievement award, and he currently helps cruise specialists learn the tricks of the trade as the senior vice president of strategic planning for Cruise Planners.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Koepf talks about what he has learned in his 35 years in the travel industry, from his time working as a cruise ship entertainer to taking the ultimate leap of faith: Buying a cruise franchise with his wife’s game show winnings.
We’ll also hear about the challenges Koepf has faced as a business owner, and his advice for new-to-industry travel advisors.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Cruise Planners: www.cruiseplanners.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Geoffrey Kent, founder and co-chairman of Abercrombie & Kent (A&K), is credited with launching the safari experience as high-end travelers and travel advisors know it today. But even before the founding of A&K in 1962, Kent already experienced an extraordinary number of adventures — from a rambunctious childhood spent on his family’s Kenyan farm, to being kicked out of school at age 16 for getting caught with a forbidden motorbike. (Shortly after, Kent rode said motorbike on an action-packed, two-month trek from Nairobi, Kenya to Cape Town, South Africa.)
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Kent vividly chronicles these escapades, in addition to the many more that followed after he and his parents formed A&K as a safari company. He also shares stories about the early days of A&K, such as being the first safari outfitter to introduce refrigeration in the bush and how he initially attracted luxury clientele.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Abercrombie & Kent: www.abercrombiekent.com
Geoffrey Kent’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/geoffrey_kent
Abercrombie & Kent’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/aktravel_usa
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Viola de Velasco has been in the travel industry for more than 30 years, starting first as a corporate travel advisor in Los Angeles and eventually becoming the vice president of sales operations at tech-forward host agency, Avoya Travel.
Her love of exploring the world began during her childhood in Nicaragua, where de Velasco spent her vacations exploring the tropical landscapes of the Central American country with her three younger siblings in tow. When unrest and revolution caused her to leave her home behind and move to the U.S., de Velasco quickly made a name for herself in Los Angeles’ international banking scene before shifting gears and becoming a corporate travel advisor for law firms across the city.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, de Velasco shares what it was like working as a travel advisor in the 1980s, when perks of the job included heavily discounted airline tickets and glamorous weekend shopping trips to Hong Kong and Paris. She’ll also detail the shift toward automation in travel, and how she’s helping today’s travel advisors up their skill sets through her role at Avoya.
We’ll also hear about an especially memorable pre-pandemic trip to Spain, where de Velasco embarked on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, walking 72 miles and discovering physical and spiritual strengths she didn’t know she had.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Avoya's Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/AvoyaTravelNetwork
Avoya's LinkedIn Page: www.linkedin.com/company/avoya-travel
Avoya's Consumer-Facing Website: www.avoyatravel.com
Avoya's Advisor-Facing Website: www.avoyanetwork.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is the Digital Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Following a childhood and a young adulthood full of adventure in her former home of Bermuda, Hinds pursued higher education in the U.S., earning an undergraduate degree in civil and environmental engineering and a master’s degree in construction management. Eventually, the travel industry entered the picture, and Hinds was able to combine her love of exploration and her respect of the environment into a successful career.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Hinds shares how she has discovered her purpose through challenges, including working in homogeneous, male-dominated fields. She also offers advice on how to support sustainability efforts, in addition to practical, honest tips for aspiring entrepreneurs.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
JustaTAAD's website: www.justataad.com
Email JustaTAAD: reachus@justataad.com
JustaTAAD on Instagram: www.instagram.com/justataad
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
If you’ve been in the travel industry for any length of time, you’ve most likely heard of Valerie Wilson. Wilson, who is the founder, CEO, chairman and owner of Valerie Wilson Travel, is so well-known amongst luxury suppliers that many call upon her to advise them as they explore how to improve their offerings .
And what once started as a three-person business in 1981 has since grown to encompass more than 300 associates across 12 U.S. offices.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Wilson gives listeners a taste of her life beyond, and before, travel. We’ll hear about Wilson’s early years working in New York City’s fashion scene as a designer and model. She’ll describe the moment she fell in love with travel — during her honeymoon to Spain in 1967 — and her subsequent foray into the travel industry as a travel advisor.
Wilson will also talk about the ins and outs of running her business alongside her two daughters — Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg and Kimberly Wilson Wetty — and what she envisions for the future of the agency now that it’s joined forces with FROSCH.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Valerie Wilson Travel: www.valeriewilsontravel.com
Valerie Wilson's World: The Top Hotels & Resorts (Second Edition)
FROSCH: www.frosch.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Amanda Ervin and Jimmy Lierow are on a mission to represent the marginalized plus-size community in the travel industry. They’re also passionate about encouraging these individuals that they, too, can travel — regardless of their physical size.
The charismatic couple met in 2014 and quickly discovered a shared passion for travel. (They even embarked on an international cruise together after dating for just three months). While still working full-jobs outside of the travel industry, they launched YouTube channel Chubby and Away, which chronicles their extensive trips around the world. One such trip is a yearlong, adventure-packed stint in Asia — a place they have lovingly nicknamed “The Land of Tiny People.”
The duo also hosts a podcast called The PudgeCast, which offers travel tips and interviews with other travelers, all with an emphasis on plus-size travel. Last but not least, they recently opened their own travel agency, The Chubby & Away Travel Agency, in December 2019.
In this Humans of Travel episode, Ervin and Lierow explain that they prioritize inclusivity as well as good health — and want people to feel comfortable in their own skin. The two also offer tips on how the industry can do better in serving the plus-size travel segment, and share examples of a few notable suppliers that are already demonstrating great service.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Chubby and Away: www.chubbyandaway.com
Chubby and Away YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/chubbyandaway
The PudgeCast: www.chubbyandaway.com/podcast
Chubby & Away Travel Agency: www.chubbyandaway.com/travelagency
Chubby and Away Facebook: www.facebook.com/chubbyandaway
Chubby and Away Instagram: www.instagram.com/chubbyandaway
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Since 2004, Shannon Stowell has been at the helm of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) — the largest global network of adventure travel leaders in the industry — which includes tour guides, operators, lodges, advisors, destination management organizations, media and more. He believes that tourism has the potential to be a powerful and protective force – if it’s done right.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Stowell takes listeners on a journey through some of his life’s biggest adventures, from making the natural landscapes of Salida, Colo., his playground as a teenager to taking his first international trip to Fiji and experiencing an especially impactful trip to Kurdistan (in Northern Iraq) a few years ago with his son, Ashton.
Stowell also explains the nuances of the term “adventure travel,” which is defined by the themes of cultural immersion, physical action or natural experiences (or a combination of the three), and how his own definition of adventure travel has shifted due to a recent health scare.
Listeners will also learn about the ATTA’s mission of promoting sustainable travel — including how members of the travel industry can get onboard with this initiative — and the future of the adventure travel segment as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
ATTA: www.adventuretravel.biz
Tomorrow’s Air (permanent carbon recapture subscription): www.tomorrowsair.com
Contact the ATTA: Info@adventuretravel.biz
ATTA’s free community membership program: https://www.adventuretravelnews.com/atta-opens-doors-with-new-free-community-membership-program
Stowell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonstowell/
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This special encore episode of Humans of Travel is brought to you by TravelAge West.
Across the travel industry and beyond, most people know Bruce Poon Tip as the founder of G Adventures, the world’s largest small group adventure travel company. He also established Planeterra Foundation, G Adventures’ nonprofit partner, which channels travelers’ dollars into underserved communities around the world. Through these accomplishments, he has addressed the United Nations and World Bank; delivered keynote speeches at TEDx events; and much more.
But what most people don’t know is that Poon Tip’s entrepreneurial drive began far ahead of G Adventures’ launch in 1990. Growing up as part of a Chinese-Venezuelan immigrant family in Calgary, Canada, a young Poon Tip started three businesses before even turning 13 — including contracting 11-year-olds to deliver his newspapers on multiple routes. Not to mention, he bred rabbits in his parents’ backyard.
At age 16, after getting fired from Denny’s two weeks into the job, and then getting fired on his first day at McDonald’s, Poon Tip realized that he was better off being his own boss.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Poon Tip shares with listeners the roots of his early ambition, as well as G Adventures’ genesis story. He also explains how being a minority has influenced his career — and reveals a clever strategy that was necessary to move his business forward.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
G Adventures: www.gadventures.com
Bruce Poon Tip’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/brucepoontip
Bruce Poon Tip’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/brucepoontip
“Looptail: How One Company Changed the World by Reinventing Business” by Bruce Poon Tip
“Do Big Small Things” by Bruce Poon Tip
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sherwin Banda, president of African Travel, Inc., was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, during apartheid, a tumultuous time when the country was governed under the principles of segregation and discrimination based on race. He describes what it meant to be classified as “colored” while growing up, and how his family dealt with the various challenges that came with that designation.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Banda explains how he transitioned into a decades-long career in hospitality, beginning with the night shift at a Cape Town hotel, until he became the first Black General Manager of a five-star hotel in South Africa. He also explains what it was like for South Africa to transition to a democratic country, and more presently, the parallels between that time and the conversations we are currently having in the U.S. about race. He also explains the ways that African Travel’s parent company, The Travel Corporation, have handled the challenges of diversity and representation in the travel industry.
Finally, he gives tips for travelers heading to Africa for the first time, along with suggested itineraries through African Travel Inc., the longest established luxury safari operator that’s focused exclusively on the African continent.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Africantravelinc.com
Instagram: @AfricanTravelInc, @SherwinBanda
Email: Sherwin.banda@africantravelinc.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This special encore episode of Humans of Travel is brought to you by TravelAge West.
OUR GUEST
Denella Ri'chard is a world traveler, television personality, travel industry executive, public speaker and travel writer. Her television show, “Traveling with Denella Ri'chard,” airs on both the CJC Network and the CW Network, and her column, "Traveling With Denella Ri'chard," can be read in Global One Magazine.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Ri’chard speaks candidly about growing up in Louisiana, and how earning a broadcast journalism degree from Southern University — coupled with a year living in Zimbabwe — has opened doors for a career in travel. As an advocate for hiring diverse talent, Ri’chard also speaks about the challenges that people of color face in the travel industry and beyond.
Ri’chard also opens up about her recent pivot from a career in the cruise industry to launching her own television show, “Traveling With Denella Ri'chard," during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Denella Ri’chard’s website Traveling with Denella Ri'chard
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Travel advisor Korrine Johnson is a wearer of many hats: She’s an advisor for Journeys Travel Company, where she and her business partner manage a team of five; she’s a co-host of The TIN Lounge podcast (where she breaks down the latest travel headlines and news); and she’s the founder of Travel Biz Boss — a consultancy for travel agents who need help automating and streamlining their businesses’ back-end systems.
But before her entrepreneurial spirit drove her toward success in the travel industry, Johnson faced her own set of unique challenges and milestones. She spent her childhood moving around the country with her mother and younger brother (after leaving an abusive situation with her biological father); she sharpened her business acumen by working in the optical industry; and she became a fierce advocate for human rights after watching her wife, Tracy, lose her job in education solely because of her sexual orientation.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Johnson describes how she often drew on the strength of her mother to drive her forward in life, and how she was able to use the skills she learned selling high-end eyewear to create a successful travel agency. She also gives advice to agents looking to start from the ground up — as she did — whether it is by fine-tuning email marketing strategies or implementing systems that allow advisors to be taken seriously from the get-go.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The TIN Lounge podcast
Travel Biz Boss
Journeys Travel Company
Johnson's Instagram: @travelbizboss, @lifeasadv
Johnson's Email: hello@travelbizboss.com,hello@thetinlounge.com
BUSINESS TOOLS/SOFTWARE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Canva
Trello
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This special encore episode of Humans of Travel is brought to you by TravelAge West.
OUR GUEST
Jenn Lee - Vice president of sales and marketing for Travel Planners International
Jenn is known for her infectious energy, fabulous curls and tell-it-like-it-is mentality, and in this inaugural episode of Humans of Travel, she doesn’t hold back on getting real. The charismatic Lee shares the secrets behind all that energy (hint: one essential component is wine), as well as how she greets each morning before heading into another busy day.
We also get a peek into Lee’s childhood, which was full of love and support but also constant change — including father figures and, at one point, even her first name.
What’s more, there were bumps on her career path, including getting fired, switching industries and filing for bankruptcy. But Lee learned from these challenges and eventually got to where she is today: successfully guiding an entrepreneurial-minded travel advisor community.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Jenn Lee’s Instagram: instagram.com/jennleetravel Jenn Lee’s Facebook: facebook.com/JenniferErtelLee Travel Planners International: travelplannersinternational.com “Jessica’s Daily Affirmation” YouTube video: youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As a child, travel journalist Mark Chesnut often dodged discomfort by hopping on the nearest plane, train or bus. Raised by a single mother in New York State and navigating the world as a young gay boy in the 1970s, he is the first to admit that he often turned to travel as both a physical — and figurative — escape.
From creating imaginary airlines to “gate raiding” at local airports and posing as a female travel agent to get free airplane posters, Chesnut has long used his enthusiasm about travel to tap into his creativity — a skill that he puts to daily use while working as an award-winning freelance travel writer for publications such as HuffPost (formerly The Huffington Post), Forbes Travel Guide, Travel Weekly and TravelAge West, among others.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Chesnut takes listeners along on his journey toward radical self-acceptance. He describes the challenges of coming out to his traditional-but-supportive mother, his transformative trips across the globe and how, through persistence, he was able to turn his passions into a career. We’ll also hear about how Chesnut’s role as a travel writer has shifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how he has dealt with the rise of “travel shaming.”
Note: Chesnut’s memoir, tentatively titled “Prepare for Departure: A Travel Writer’s Notes on Life, Death and Growing Up Different,” will be published by Vine Leaves Press. It will be available for pre-order in May 2022.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Instagram: @mundera
Twitter: @MunderaMedia
Latin Flyer Travel Blog: LatinFlyer.com
Youtube: YouTube.com/LatinFlyerTV
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Emma Weissmann is Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
TravelAge West's Humans of Travel podcast is returning with new episodes for 2021. Join your new host, Emma Weissmann, senior editor at TravelAge West, as she seeks out exceptional people within the travel industry and gets to the heart of who they really are.
Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
For more information, visit www.travelagewest.com/Podcasts/Humans-of-Travel.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Before putting his professional expertise and personal passion to the ultimate test by traveling around the world for a year with his wife and two young children, Rainer Jenss was a vice president and 13-year veteran of the National Geographic Society. As Publisher of National Geographic Kids from 2002-2008, Jenss helped transform the publication into the most widely read consumer magazine for children in the world.
Since returning from the trip around the world with his family, Jenss has been a dedicated advocate for family travel as an essential part of every child’s education. By creating the Family Travel Association, Jenss aimed to establish a collective and unified industry voice to help change the way families travel.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Jenss opens up about the personal challenges of immigrating to the U.S. from Germany as a child, his desire to integrate travel into his professional ambitions, the road to discovery brought about by a trip around the world with his family and the healing power of travel during a personal health crisis.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
TravelAge West Community Voices: Travel Is Just What the Doctor Ordered: www.travelagewest.com/Industry-Insight/Opinion/Community-Voices-Travel-Is-Just-What-the-Doctor-Ordered
Family Travel Association: www.familytravel.org
Smart Family Travel: www.smartfamilytravel.com
National Geographic Kids: kids.nationalgeographic.com
Full episode notes at www.TravelAgeWest.com/Podcast
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Thanks to the generosity of his grandmother, Aaron Schlein traveled to four continents and a dozen countries before he was old enough to vote. Those early adventures convinced him that travel is an essential part of life.
Schlein satisfies his passions for travel, teaching, and entertaining by helping travel industry clients create memorable and profitable audio and video content. Recent clients include Travel Weekly, VisitBritain, AirTreks, Travel Age West, The Family Travel Association, and many others.
Schlein was born in Texas, raised in SoCal, and currently lives in Sacramento, Calif. with his wife and two children (who are growing up too fast!)
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Denella Ri'chard is a world traveler, television personality, travel industry executive, public speaker and travel writer. Her television show, “Traveling with Denella Ri'chard,” airs on both the CJC Network and the CW Network, and her column, "Traveling With Denella Ri'chard," can be read in Global One Magazine.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Ri’chard speaks candidly about growing up in Louisiana, and how earning a broadcast journalism degree from Southern University — coupled with a year living in Zimbabwe — has opened doors for a career in travel. As an advocate for hiring diverse talent, Ri’chard also speaks about the challenges that people of color face in the travel industry and beyond.
Ri’chard also opens up about her recent pivot from a career in the cruise industry to launching her own television show, “Traveling With Denella Ri'chard" during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Denella's website: www.travelingwithdenella.com
Traveling with Denella Ri'chard TV Show: www.travelingwithdenella.com/travel-show-2
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Thanks to the generosity of his grandmother, Aaron traveled to four continents and a dozen countries before he was old enough to vote. Those early adventures convinced him that travel is an essential part of life.
Aaron satisfies his passions for travel, teaching, and entertaining by helping travel industry clients create memorable and profitable audio and video content. Recent clients include Travel Weekly, VisitBritain, AirTreks, Travel Age West, The Family Travel Association, and many others.
Aaron was born in Texas, raised in SoCal, and currently lives in Sacramento, CA with his wife and two children (who are growing up too fast!)
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We've all heard a tall tale or two, but when it comes to UnCruise Adventures’ CEO Captain Dan Blanchard — well, he's the real thing. Throughout his career, Captain Dan has been committed to showing his guests “what real wild is.”
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Captain Dan recalls his earliest seafaring days, both on his family’s tugboat and as a member of the Sea Scouts. He also discusses his foray into the cruise industry, and how the lessons he learned as a young entrepreneur are helping UnCruise Adventures navigate the uncharted waters of the COVID-19 pandemic several decades later.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
UnCruise Adventures' website: www.uncruise.com
Video - A Day with Captain Dan Blanchard: https://youtu.be/6K0Wg8RPf-k
UnCruise on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnCruise
UnCruise on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncruise
UnCruise on YouTube: www.youtube.com/uncruise
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Thanks to the generosity of his grandmother, Aaron traveled to four continents and a dozen countries before he was old enough to vote. Those early adventures convinced him that travel is an essential part of life.
Aaron satisfies his passions for travel, teaching, and entertaining by helping travel industry clients create memorable and profitable audio and video content. Recent clients include Travel Weekly, VisitBritain, AirTreks, Travel Age West, The Family Travel Association, and many others.
Aaron was born in Texas, raised in SoCal, and currently lives in Sacramento, CA with his wife and two children (who are growing up too fast!)
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Following a childhood and a young adulthood full of adventure in her former home of Bermuda, Hinds pursued higher education in the U.S., earning an undergraduate degree in civil and environmental engineering and a master’s degree in construction management. Eventually, the travel industry entered the picture, and Hinds was able to combine her love of exploration and her respect of the environment into a successful career.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Hinds shares how she has discovered her purpose through challenges, including working in homogeneous, male-dominated fields. She also offers advice on how to support sustainability efforts, in addition to practical, honest tips for aspiring entrepreneurs.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
JustaTAAD's website: www.justataad.com
Email JustaTAAD: reachus@justataad.com
JustaTAAD on Instagram: www.instagram.com/justataad
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Valerie Chen is the Deputy Digital Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
At first, @DameTraveler might appear to be just another Instagram account with pretty pictures, but those who read between the lines understand that the Dame Traveler brand has long evolved to cultivate and empower an impactful community of travelers around the globe. Noticing a lack of Instagram accounts that showcase the work of female travel photographers, its founder, Nastasia Yakoub, began the account in 2014 while on bed rest recovering from a workplace injury.
Through passionate dedication and a clear vision, Yakoub grew the account to its some 593,000 followers today. She has also launched the successful Dame Traveler blog and, more recently, published a book titled Dame Traveler: Live the Spirit of Adventure. But so much of how Dame Traveler — an authentic space that encourages independent women to travel — came to be is due to Yakoub’s own personal background, principles, challenges and successes.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Yakoub takes listeners through a childhood heavily influenced by her Chaldean-American background; her education and work in nursing; and the very beginning of Dame Traveler, as well as the inspiration behind it. She also reveals how she confronts anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, from solo trips in Italy to long, meditative walks in her home of New York City.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Dame Traveler Blog: www.dametraveler.com
Dame Traveler’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/dametraveler
Nastasia Yakoub’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/nastasiaspassport
Love Letter to New York City Instagram: www.instagram.com/lovelettertonewyorkcity
Dame Traveler: Live the Spirit of Adventure: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/622677/dame-traveler-by-nastasia-yakoub
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Valerie Chen is the Deputy Digital Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Geoffrey Kent, founder and co-chairman of Abercrombie & Kent (A&K), is credited with launching the safari experience as high-end travelers and travel advisors know it today. But even before the founding of A&K in 1962, Kent already experienced an extraordinary number of adventures — from a rambunctious childhood spent on his family’s Kenyan farm, to being kicked out of school at age 16 for getting caught with a forbidden motorbike. (Shortly after, Kent rode said motorbike on an action-packed, two-month trek from Nairobi, Kenya to Cape Town, South Africa.)
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Kent vividly chronicles these escapades, in addition to the many more that followed after he and his parents formed A&K as a safari company. He also shares stories about the early days of A&K, such as being the first safari outfitter to introduce refrigeration in the bush and how he initially attracted luxury clientele.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Abercrombie & Kent: www.abercrombiekent.com
Geoffrey Kent’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/geoffrey_kent
Abercrombie & Kent’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/aktravel_usa
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Valerie Chen is the Deputy Digital Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As managing director of global public relations for Virtuoso, Misty Belles understands the value of a travel advisor perhaps better than most. A master of storytelling and marketing, she works tirelessly to share this insight, in addition to championing the invitation-only consortium’s own luxury member agencies and supplier partners.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, however, Belles is telling a different story: her own. She talks about what it was like growing up in a small Texan town — on a working cattle ranch, no less — as well as her childhood dreams of traveling to far-off places such as New York City and Paris.
Belles also shares her decision behind switching career paths (she studied journalism in college), and why public relations felt like a better fit. Last, but not least, Belles looks back at how travel has changed over her 20-year tenure working at Virtuoso.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Virtuoso: www.virtuoso.com
Virtuoso’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/virtuosoltd
Virtuoso’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/virtuosotravel
Virtuoso’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/virtuoso
Virtuoso’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/virtuosotravel
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Valerie Chen is the Deputy Digital Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SmartFlyer is highly respected in the tourism industry, and those familiar with the luxury travel agency probably know the name Erina Pindar, as well. As SmartFlyer’s managing director, Pindar has helped to define the company’s brand vision and voice over the last 10 years. Today, she also oversees its business development initiatives; assists with its online and social media presence; and much more. Not to mention, Pindar continues to design custom itineraries for SmartFlyer’s top-level clients.
Though she often jets around the world for both work and play, Pindar actually discovered her love for traveling at a young age. Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, she spent much of her childhood traveling in Asia, all before immigrating to the U.S. — specifically, to a small town outside Charlotte, N.C. — as a teenager.
In today’s episode of Humans of Travel, Pindar looks back at that pivotal time of her life. She also discusses a changing travel industry, including her thoughts on being an influential voice — especially for young people of color.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
SmartFlyer: www.smartflyer.com
SmartFlyer’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesmartflyer
Erina Pindar’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/erinapindar
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Valerie Chen is the Deputy Digital Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melbourne, Australia-based Jenny Gray is a senior product manager at Intrepid Travel, which offers more than 1,000 adventure travel itineraries all over the world, including on all seven continents and in 120-plus countries.
Gray caught the travel bug long before she began working at Intrepid about 10 years ago. Born in Sydney, Australia, she spent much of her childhood living and attending an international school in Fiji — a beloved place that taught her to celebrate diversity. After working at a ski vacation wholesaler in Australia, she next moved to London for a job at Exodus Travels. Then, Gray says, she was “in the right place at the right time,” as Exodus Travels and Intrepid Travel merged. Back to Australia she went, taking on Intrepid’s role of regional product manager for the Middle East and Africa.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Gray shares why she championed the tour operator’s female-led range of Women’s Expedition Trips, which was launched in 2018 on International Women’s Day. The product is near and dear to her heart.
She also opens up about an ongoing challenge in her personal life: battling infertility, which was followed by a devastating miscarriage late last year. She hopes that by sharing her story, other women facing the same challenges will feel less alone.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Intrepid Travel: www.intrepidtravel.com
Intrepid Travel’s Women’s Expeditions: www.intrepidtravel.com/us/womens-expeditions
Intrepid Travel’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/intrepidtravel
Intrepid Travel’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/intrepidtravel
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Valerie Chen is the Deputy Digital Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kasey Austin got an early start in the travel industry — at age 6, to be exact. Though its legacy dates back to 1974, Austin Adventures was purchased by Dan Austin, Kasey’s father, in 1995. From that point on, Kasey’s childhood was constantly surrounded by all things Austin Adventures. She even helped to guide a Yellowstone National Park tour that same year.
During summer breaks throughout middle school and high school in her hometown of Billings, Mont., Kasey would take on tasks such as cleaning up equipment, stuffing brochures and what she calls, “basically everything that no one else wanted to do.” And after learning the business from the ground up, she went on to become a guide, eventually vice president of operations and, most recently, president — a promotion that became official last November.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Kasey shares why she wasn’t always sure that she wanted to pursue the Austin family calling of running an adventure travel business. (In fact, her degree was in education.) Ultimately, it was a decision that felt right, and she hasn't looked back since. She also reveals her tips for working with family members and maintaining a work-life balance.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Austin Adventures: www.austinadventures.com
Kasey Austin’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/kasey.austin.395
Kasey Austin’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/kasey_morrissey
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Valerie Chen is the Deputy Digital Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Amanda Ervin and Jimmy Lierow are on a mission to represent the marginalized plus-size community in the travel industry. They’re also passionate about encouraging these individuals that they, too, can travel — regardless of their physical size.
The charismatic couple met in 2014 and quickly discovered a shared passion for travel. (They even embarked on an international cruise together after dating for just three months). While still working full-jobs outside of the travel industry, they launched YouTube channel Chubby and Away, which chronicles their extensive trips around the world. One such trip is a yearlong, adventure-packed stint in Asia — a place they have lovingly nicknamed “The Land of Tiny People.”
The duo also hosts a podcast called The PudgeCast, which offers travel tips and interviews with other travelers, all with an emphasis on plus-size travel. Last but not least, they recently opened their own travel agency, The Chubby & Away Travel Agency, in December 2019.
In this Humans of Travel episode, Ervin and Lierow explain that they prioritize inclusivity as well as good health — and want people to feel comfortable in their own skin. The two also offer tips on how the industry can do better in serving the plus-size travel segment, and share examples of a few notable suppliers that are already demonstrating great service.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Chubby and Away: www.chubbyandaway.com
Chubby and Away YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/chubbyandaway
The PudgeCast: www.chubbyandaway.com/podcast
Chubby & Away Travel Agency: www.chubbyandaway.com/travelagency
Chubby and Away Facebook: www.facebook.com/chubbyandaway
Chubby and Away Instagram: www.instagram.com/chubbyandaway
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Valerie Chen is the Deputy Digital Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode is brought to you by TravelAge West.
Across the travel industry and beyond, most people know Bruce Poon Tip as the founder of G Adventures, the world’s largest small group adventure travel company. He also established Planeterra Foundation, G Adventures’ nonprofit partner, which channels travelers’ dollars into underserved communities around the world. Through these accomplishments, he has addressed the United Nations and World Bank; delivered keynote speeches at TEDx events; and much more.
But what most people don’t know is that Poon Tip’s entrepreneurial drive began far ahead of G Adventures’ launch in 1990. Growing up as part of a Chinese-Venezuelan immigrant family in Calgary, Canada, a young Poon Tip started three businesses before even turning 13 — including contracting 11-year-olds to deliver his newspapers on multiple routes. Not to mention, he bred rabbits in his parents’ backyard.
At age 16, after getting fired from Denny’s two weeks into the job, and then getting fired on his first day at McDonald’s, Poon Tip realized that he was better off being his own boss.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Poon Tip shares with listeners the roots of his early ambition, as well as G Adventures’ genesis story. He also explains how being a minority has influenced his career — and reveals a clever strategy that was necessary to move his business forward.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
G Adventures: www.gadventures.com
Bruce Poon Tip’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/brucepoontip
Bruce Poon Tip’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/brucepoontip
“Looptail: How One Company Changed the World by Reinventing Business” by Bruce Poon Tip
“Do Big Small Things” by Bruce Poon Tip
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Valerie Chen is the Deputy Digital Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode is brought to you by TravelAge West.
Arnie Weissmann is perhaps best known in the travel industry for his roles as the editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly, and executive vice president and editorial director for Northstar Travel Group (the parent company of Travel Weekly and TravelAge West). But Arnie didn’t just land in travel journalism by accident; rather, the unique experiences of his younger years — which were fueled by an insatiable curiosity to explore the world around him — greatly shaped him into the man he is today.
In the first installment of this two-part Humans of Travel interview, Arnie speaks with his daughter, Emma Weissmann, our guest host and the Associate Editor for TravelAge West. The father-daughter duo discuss the defining moments of Arnie’s adolescent years, which include frequenting Chicago blues clubs as a teenager, spending six months working in a cafeteria in Boston and more. He also reflects on his first foray into the world of media: As a student journalist for Spectrum, the campus magazine at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he penned interviews with such subjects as Andy Warhol and Muhammad Ali.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Travel Weekly: www.travelweekly.com
Arnie Weissmann’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/arnieweissmann
Arnie Weissmann’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/awtravelweekly
Arnie Weissmann’s From the Window Seat weekly column: www.travelweekly.com/From-the-Window-Seat
Travel42 (formerly Weissmann Travel Reports): www.travel-42.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Valerie Chen is the Deputy Digital Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode is brought to you by TravelAge West.
Arnie Weissmann is perhaps best known in the travel industry for his roles as the editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly, and executive vice president and editorial director for Northstar Travel Group (the parent company of Travel Weekly and TravelAge West). But Arnie didn’t just land in travel journalism by accident; rather, the unique experiences of his younger years — which were fueled by an insatiable curiosity to explore the world around him — greatly shaped him into the man he is today.
In the first installment of this two-part Humans of Travel interview, Arnie speaks with his daughter, Emma Weissmann, our guest host and the Associate Editor for TravelAge West. The father-daughter duo discuss the defining moments of Arnie’s adolescent years, which include frequenting Chicago blues clubs as a teenager, spending six months working in a cafeteria in Boston and more. He also reflects on his first foray into the world of media: As a student journalist for Spectrum, the campus magazine at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he penned interviews with such subjects as Andy Warhol and Muhammad Ali.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Travel Weekly: www.travelweekly.com
Arnie Weissmann’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/arnieweissmann
Arnie Weissmann’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/awtravelweekly
Arnie Weissmann’s From the Window Seat weekly column: www.travelweekly.com/From-the-Window-Seat
Travel42 (formerly Weissmann Travel Reports): www.travel-42.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Valerie Chen is the Deputy Digital Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode is brought to you by TravelAge West.
OUR GUEST
Rob Karp had his career all figured out at an early age — in fact, a day before he turned 15 years old in 2012, he officially launched MilesAhead. At the time, MilesAhead specialized in helping friends and family turn frequent flyer points into plane tickets. However, the company has since evolved to encompass a thriving, multimillion-dollar luxury travel concierge, and Karp has rightfully earned the respect of the travel industry.
In today’s episode of Humans of Travel, Karp looks back at what propelled him to launch MilesAhead when he was still in high school, and what it was like to grow the business while he attended Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. He reveals if he has any regrets from those especially exacting periods of his life, in addition to sharing the process of working with friends and what it’s like being a member of Generation Z.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
MilesAhead: www.milesahead.co
MilesAhead’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/milesaheadco
Rob Karp’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/robkarp_
An In-Depth Guide to Generation Z Travelers: www.travelagewest.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Valerie Chen is the Deputy Digital Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode is brought to you by TravelAge West.
OUR GUEST
MaSovaida Morgan had a steady job as an in-house editor for Lonely Planet. However, desiring the excitement of the open road, she decided to transition to a new role for the travel publication: freelance guidebook author, which requires her to conduct heavy research while immersed in a destination for up to weeks at a time.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, the charismatic and inspiring Morgan shares how she first got into journalism and later found herself in the travel industry, as well. Being a woman of color, Morgan also discusses the dark underbelly of travel: racism. She shares a few discouraging experiences and how she chose to deal with such prejudice. Additionally, she talks about her mental health journey and how she confronts her depression.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
MaSovaida Morgan: www.masovaida.com
MaSovaida Morgan’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/masovaida
MaSovaida Morgan’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/masovaidamorgan
MaSovaida Morgan’s Twitter: www.twitter.com/masovaida
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Valerie Chen is the Deputy Digital Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode is brought to you by TravelAge West.
OUR GUEST
Heather Christopher is the owner of Heather Christopher Travel Consulting; co-owner of Travel Pro Theory; and co-founder of Wanderlust Wedding Co. Through Travel Pro Theory’s eponymous podcast, Christopher (alongside co-host Kate Thomas of FIT operator North & Leisure) dives deep into important business topics such as “graduating” clients, charging service fees and more. It’s clear that Christopher is endlessly passionate about the travel industry — particularly as it pertains to her fellow travel advisors.
In this episode of Humans of Travel, Christopher reveals how losing her father at a young age influenced her decision to enter the industry as an advisor. She also discusses how the advisor industry has evolved throughout her 14-year tenure thus far — particularly compared to when she was the youngest in the room — and what she believes are its major pain points (hint: the lack of a barrier to entry and marginal education).
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Heather Christopher’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/heatherchristophertravel
Heather Christopher Travel Consulting: www.heatherchristophertravel.com
Travel Pro Theory: www.travelprotheory.com
Wanderlust Wedding Co.: www.wanderlustwedco.com
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Valerie Chen is the Deputy Digital Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode is brought to you by TravelAge West.
OUR GUEST
Jenn Lee - Vice president of sales and marketing for Travel Planners International
Jenn is known for her infectious energy, fabulous curls and tell-it-like-it-is mentality, and in this inaugural episode of Humans of Travel, she doesn’t hold back on getting real. The charismatic Lee shares the secrets behind all that energy (hint: one essential component is wine), as well as how she greets each morning before heading into another busy day.
We also get a peek into Lee’s childhood, which was full of love and support but also constant change — including father figures and, at one point, even her first name.
What’s more, there were bumps on her career path, including getting fired, switching industries and filing for bankruptcy. But Lee learned from these challenges and eventually got to where she is today: successfully guiding an entrepreneurial-minded travel advisor community.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Jenn Lee’s Instagram: instagram.com/jennleetravel Jenn Lee’s Facebook: facebook.com/JenniferErtelLee Travel Planners International: travelplannersinternational.com “Jessica’s Daily Affirmation” YouTube video: youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Valerie Chen is the Deputy Digital Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S.
TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum.
ABOUT THE SHOW
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
TravelAge West’s new podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the experiences — the highs and the lows — that make them human.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.