This week, I welcome Ladell Carter, founder of Royal Expression Travels, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including the new worldwide travel alert, cruise line updates, and more. Later, Carter and I chat about the top travel disasters and how to best avoid them. She provides insights on how advisors go above and beyond for the clients in time of need, as well as shares tips to fellow travel advisors on how they should handle a travel disaster scenario with their clients. The ...
Jun 24, 2025•34 min•Ep. 302
This week, I first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including anti-tourism protests in Europe, cruise ship incidents, and a naughty tourist. Later, I welcome Cat Brask of Northstar Travel Group and Kathy Dold, owner of TWK Travel Group, to talk about the best tips and tricks to mastering travel industry events. Which events are right for you to attend? Brask and Dold share insights into this and more. The discussion on events begins after the 12-minute mark. Today's episo...
Jun 17, 2025•33 min•Ep. 301
This week I first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including the Trump Administration's recent actions impacting travel, updates for Newark airport, and much more. Later, I welcome Misty Belles, Vice President of Global Public Relations for Virtuoso. Belles and I discuss the expectations for the 2025 summer travel season, what destinations are trending, and more. She also shares her advice for what advisors can do to maximize their summer. The discussion on theme parks be...
Jun 10, 2025•31 min•Ep. 300
This week, I welcome Catalina Freeman, co-owner of Everlasting Travel Company, to the podcast to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including the current state of air travel, travel advisory updates, and more. Later, Freeman and I talk about the latest in the theme park world. Hear our thoughts on the brand new Epic Universe theme park and what Disney is up to this summer. Freeman shares her top tips for visiting, as well as advice for fellow travel advisors on selling theme parks...
Jun 02, 2025•34 min•Ep. 299
This week, I welcome Angela Hughes, CEO of Trips and Ships Luxury Travel, to the podcast to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including the DOT's new plan to overhaul the air traffic controller system, and much more. Later, Hughes provides insights into what shifts she is seeing in consumers' travel behaviors today and how travel advisors can adapt. The interview on consumers' shifting behaviors begins after the 16-minute mark. Today's episode sponsor: the Globus family of brands...
May 13, 2025•29 min•Ep. 298
This week, I first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including Travel Advisor Appreciation Month, United's fiasco at Newark, and much more. Later, hear my thoughts on Mexico's rising tourism destination: the Baja California region. Additionally, hear my interviews with Miguel Aguíñiga, Secretary of Tourism for Baja California, México and then with Gustavo Ortega, founder of El Cielo Winery & Resort – one of our host resorts at last week’s FAM experience ahead of Tiangu...
May 05, 2025•24 min•Ep. 297
This week, I welcome Courtnie Nichols, owner of Travel Bash, to the podcast to first discuss trending news in the travel industry, including recession threats, free wifi on flights, and more. Later, Nichols shares her top business tips for travel advisors. She provides insights on ways to grow and scale, having a CEO mindset, sharing advice for where advisors need to improve on and much more. The discussion on business tips for travel advisors begins after the 15-minute mark. Today's episode spo...
Apr 22, 2025•33 min•Ep. 296
This week, I welcome Debbie Brown, owner of SmartBird World Travel, to first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including President Trump's tariffs, a crazy tourist, and more. Later, Brown shares insights into navigating travel requirements in today's world and how the pandemic changed things. Brown provides tips for travel advisors to make sure they are secured with their clients and avoid the often overlooked requirements. The discussion on navigating travel requirements ...
Apr 08, 2025•31 min•Ep. 295
This week, I first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including travel brands' new April Fools jokes, air travel concerns, and more. Later on the show, I welcome Whitney Ramirez, Senior Vice President, Sales, TTC Tour Brands North America and Ashley Woodring, Vice President of Sales, TTC Tour Brands North America, to the show to talk about the recent TTC Tour Week, and so much more. Ramirez and Woodring share insights on how travel advisors can earn 75k in commissions with ...
Apr 01, 2025•31 min•Ep. 294
This week I welcome TravelPulse Senior Editor Mia Taylor and TravelPulse Associate Editor Lacey Pfalz to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including recent changes from US airlines, travel ban updates, and more. Later, Taylor and Pfalz share insights into women's role in travel today. The two reporters provide highlights of their features on the state of women's equality in the travel industry and our annual Influential Women in Travel list , showcasing the many ways women are im...
Mar 25, 2025•29 min•Ep. 293
This week, I welcome Jeremy Sulek, CEO of Jetset World Travel, to first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including a new report from WTTC, air traffic controller updates, and more. Later, Sulek shares his point of view on how the travel industry has changed over the last five years. COVID shut travel down in March of 2020, and the industry changed forever. What were the biggest changes? How has the role of the travel advisor evolved? What still needs improving? Sulek prov...
Mar 10, 2025•31 min•Ep. 292
This week, I welcome Lesley Sawhook, owner of Exclusive Travel Partners, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including air traffic controller updates, a potential new tourism tax, and more. Later, Sawhook provides insights into what's trending this spring break travel season. Which destinations are dominating the bookings? Is last minute still doable? Sawhook shares her thoughts on these plus her advice to fellow travel advisors. The discussion on spring break travel begins afte...
Mar 04, 2025•26 min•Ep. 291
This week I welcome Peter Lobasso, Senior Vice President & General Counsel for the American Society of Travel Advisors. Together we first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including the status of air travel safety, JetBlue's future, and more. Later, Lobasso provides legal tips for travel advisors. I contacted several elite-level advisors for key legal questions, and Lobasso shares his answers. Topics include how travel advisors can protect themselves from chargebacks a...
Feb 25, 2025•35 min•Ep. 290
This week I welcome Ashley Morris, Owner of Alpaca Your Bags Travel, to first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including Hyatt acquiring Playa Hotels & Resorts, President Trump targeting the air traffic controller system and more. Later, Morris shares insights into the latest trends taking shape in the romance travel sector. Hear her thoughts on what's driving decision-making for destination weddings and honeymoons, the hot destinations, and much more. Morris also offers her advic...
Feb 11, 2025•31 min•Ep. 289
This week I welcome Rebecca Gade Sawicki, travel advisor and founder of Veggies Abroad. Together we first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including last week's tragic plane crash, a potential major hotel acquisition, and more. Later, Rebecca and I dive into the world of vegetarian and vegan travel. She shares her insights into how this sector of travel has grown in recent years, as well as tips for fellow travel advisors when it comes to planning trips for vegan or vegetarian clients...
Feb 04, 2025•33 min•Ep. 288
This week I welcome Scott Largay, Director of Business Strategy for Largay Travel, to first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including major cruise news, new hotel rooms coming to the Mexican Caribbean, and much more. Later, Largay shares his insights on marketing in travel today. Hear his thoughts on how marketing has changed in travel over the years, as well as his tips for what travel advisors can do to improve. The discussion on modern travel marketing begins at the 2...
Jan 28, 2025•42 min•Ep. 287
This week I dive into the top trending news stories of the last week in the travel industry, including the DOT issuing lawsuits and fines against US airlines, the latest on UK and Europe entry fees, and more. Later, I welcome Jessica Klement, Vice President of Advocacy for the American Society of Travel Advisors. Klement shares insights into how President Trump's second term could impact the travel industry. What do travel advisors need to watch for the most under this new administration? How mi...
Jan 21, 2025•30 min•Ep. 286
Welcome back to the TravelPulse Podcast! This week I'm joined by Tawnee Sons, co-owner of World2Sea, a Cruise Planners franchise. Together we first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including the tourism industry support for Los Angeles amid the fires, Cancun's newest move on the beach, and more. Later, Sons shares her insights into the top cruise trends this Wave Season. Hear which destinations are rising in popularity, as well as which cruise ships are buzzing. Sons also provides som...
Jan 14, 2025•26 min•Ep. 285
Happy New Year and welcome back to the TravelPulse Podcast! This week I'm joined by Tyson and Stacey Wharton, the husband and wife duo of Sioux Empire Travel. Together we discuss the latest trending news in travel, including Winter Storm Blair impacting flights, CDC's new data on cruise ships and more. Later, the Whartons provide their insights into the top travel trends of 2025. What types of travel will dominate the year? Which destinations will be the most popular and trendiest? We talk about...
Jan 07, 2025•32 min•Ep. 284
This week, I'm joined by Ryan Doncsecz of VIP Vacations. Together we discuss the top storylines of 2024 and how they impacted the travel industry. Hear our thoughts on Boeing's wild year, the biggest wins for travel advisors, highs and lows from 2024, and so much more. Today's episode sponsor: Travel Agent Academy Travel Agent Academy provides you with the most advanced, interactive travel agent training available today on products sure to both impress and protect your clients – from popular des...
Dec 17, 2024•36 min•Ep. 283
This week I welcome Brian Major, Managing Editor of Digital Guides and the Caribbean here at TravelPulse, to discuss the latest trending news in travel, including the TSA's new record, Mexico's new cruise tax and more. Later, Major shares insights into what the biggest storylines and hottest destinations are in the Caribbean this year. The discussion on the Caribbean begins after the 13:30-minute mark. Today's episode sponsor: Travel Agent Academy Travel Agent Academy provides you with the most ...
Dec 03, 2024•33 min•Ep. 282
This week I'm joined by Mary Helen Law, founder of Law Luxury Travel, to first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including Spirit Airlines declaring bankruptcy and Airbnb's partnership with the famous Colosseum. Later, Law shares insights into what's trending this holiday travel season and how prices impact decision-making. We dive into how busy the travel industry is expected to be during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays; and Law offers tips for fellow ad...
Nov 19, 2024•27 min•Ep. 281
This week I first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including top winners at the 2024 Travvy Awards, how Donald Trump's return to President could impact travel, and more. Later in the show, I welcome three lovely guests: Melissa Cooper, Director of Marketing for Northstar Retail Travel Group, Danielle Stephens, a travel advisor with Divine Travel Design, and Jerry Estrada Jr, Director of Trade Events & Programs for Carnival Cruise Line. Together we discuss the inaugura...
Nov 12, 2024•35 min•Ep. 280
This week I welcome two guests: Christian Svoboda, owner of Beforeyoubookit.com, and Natalia Yepes, owner of Adventuresque Travel Boutique. Together we first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including the Biden Administration's new inquiry into US airlines, Venice's tourist tax extension, and more. Later, the three of us discuss our time at the 2024 Visit Portugal Travel Trade Marketplace event . Hear what Svoboda and Yepes thought of the event, their post event FAM trip ...
Oct 29, 2024•33 min•Ep. 279
This week I welcome Vanessa McGovern, Co-Founder and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Gifted Travel Network, to the podcast to first discuss trending news in the travel industry, including Cancun's airport change, Royal Caribbean's big announcement, and more. Later, McGovern shares top tips for travel advisors. Hear her thoughts on how to grow your business, advice for dealing with tough clients, and so much more. McGovern also shares insights from some elite-level advisors in the Gifted T...
Oct 15, 2024•31 min•Ep. 278
This week I first discuss the latest trending news in travel, including another Hurricane set to impact travel, new fees for frequent travelers and more. Later, I welcome Master Foodie Mara Papatheodorou, a Tastes & Traditions Expert and Culinary Historian, to talk about the latest in culinary travel trends. Papatheodorou shares her insights into what the flavors of the moment are, trending destinations in the foodie scene, and more. The interview on culinary travel trends begins shortly bef...
Oct 08, 2024•28 min•Ep. 277
This week I welcome Stephen Scott, founder of Travel Hub 365 and the Odyssey Travel App, back to the podcast to discuss top trending news, including Hurricane Helene's travel impact, big changes for Southwest Airlines, and more. Later in the show we dive into the top emerging travel destinations around the world as well as the unique vacation experiences taking shape. Scott shares his insights into what trends he's seeing rise up in the world of travel. The discussion on emerging travel destinat...
Oct 01, 2024•31 min•Ep. 276
This week, I first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including booming travel industry numbers, updated passport renewal process, and much more. Later, I welcome Alex Pinelo, Senior Vice President of Sales at AmaWaterways. Pinelo shares insights into what trends he's seeing in the river cruise industry. From hot destinations to unique and personalized experiences, Pinelo also highlights what's new with AmaWaterways. The river cruise discussion begins after the 9-minute mar...
Sep 24, 2024•25 min•Ep. 275
This week I welcome Shayla Northcutt, owner of Northcutt Travel Agency, to first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including Cancun Airport issues arising, Boeing's latest hit, and much more. Later, Northcutt shares insights into what she's seeing trending this fall travel season. Hear where people are planning for future trips now, why last minute travel is still hot, and more. She also gives her best advice on how fellow travel advisors can make this a great fall season....
Sep 17, 2024•26 min•Ep. 274
This week, I'm joined by Jason Gewirtz, Executive Editor and Publisher, Sports Travel Magazine. We first discuss the latest trending news in the travel industry, including record setting tourism numbers, new tourist taxes and more. Later, Gewirtz shares insights into the growth of the sports travel world, from the youth level to colleges and the NFL. We also dive into how the Olympics performed and what's in store for the North American market with future Olympics and the World Cup. The discussi...
Sep 10, 2024•36 min•Ep. 273
